Cirrus Design Aids Noble Effort

The Red Tail Project has taken on a major challenge in the spirit of the Tuskegee Airmen: Restore a rare World War II-era fighter that was nearly destroyed in an accident and fly it in the 2007 McDonald's Air & Sea Show.

The project also has committed to completing a state-of-the art mobile exhibition trailer to help fulfil the project's mission of bringing the story of the Tuskegee Airmen to every classroom in America.

Since May 29, 2004 when the rare P-51C Mustang “Tuskegee Airmen” was severely damaged in an accident, The Red Tail Project has raised more than $180,000 of the $2 million required to repair the aircraft and to purchase and outfit a tractor-trailer rig for the educational exhibition.

By seeking significant corporate and individual sponsorship the project hopes to accelerate the restoration process and to both record the stories of the surviving Tuskegee Airmen for history and to honor them. Virtually all of the approximately 200 surviving Tuskegee Airmen are in their 80s and time is of the essence.

The Mustang, one of only a handful of 'P-51C' models in existence, was and will be again an incredibly effective tool at drawing crowds and giving spectators an initial introduction to the remarkable story of the Tuskegee Airmen. In the four years that the “Tuskegee Airmen” flew it, the aircraft generated an estimated 40-million exposures to the story of America's first African-American fighter pilots.

Creation of the travelling educational exhibition will allow the story of these outstanding role models to be told at schools, sporting events, malls and other venues.

“60 years ago the army said Black men could not fly,” said Project Leader Doug Rozendaal.

“The Tuskegee Airmen challenged that assertion, overcame seemingly insurmountable odds and proved them wrong while serving their country with distinction.

The Red Tail Project needs $2 million to restore our P-51c, America’s flying tribute to the Tuskegee Airman, and to build an educational trailer which will be the foundation of our educational program.

We challenge you, America, to make this dream real. With 2 million dollars of your help the Red Tail Project will accept the challenge to have the trailer and the plane at the McDonald’s Air & Sea Show next year.”

The Red Tail Project's mission is to bring the story of the Tuskegee Airmen to every classroom in America through an aviation education program and the restoration of a P-51C Mustang as a symbol of the contribution of African Americans who served our country during WWII. The project is part of the Minnesota Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

Twelve Tuskegee Airmen are attending the Air & Sea show May 3-7 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. courtesy of the Red Tail Project and Cirrus Design Corp. Cirrus, a corporate sponsor of the Red Tail Project, provided transportation for the airmen to attend the show in addition to providing transportation for project volunteers.

In February, Cirrus transported two Tuskegee Airmen aboard an SR-22 from Minnesota to Tuskegee, Alabama where they were among nearly 60 Airmen to receive honorary doctorates from Tuskegee University for their service.

Cirrus founder Dale Klapmeier flew a special Red Tail SR-22 to Fort Lauderdale and took several delighted airmen on demonstration flights.

FMI: www.redtail.org, www.cirrusdesign.com