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P-47D-23RA Serial Number 42-27609 on display at Girau Airfield in Papua New Guinea before restoration at AirCorps Aviation, photo with permission from Charles Darby
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P-47D-23RA Serial Number 42-27609 circa 1972, at at Dobodura circa 1972, photo with permission from Charles Darby
Dakota Territory Air Museum is a museum unlike any you will find in the upper Midwest. The museum strives to honor the men, women and machines that have impacted our nation’s rich history of aviation. At DTAM you will find airworthy examples of the following warbirds.
| P-51D Mustang “Little Horse” | P-40E Warhawk | ||
| P-51D Mustang “Miss Kitty III” | Spitfire Mk. IXc “Half Stork” | ||
| P-51D Mustang “Dakota Kid II” | Hawker Hurricane Mk. XII | ||
| P-51C Mustang “Lope’s Hope 3rd” | FM-2 Wildcat | ||
| C-47/C-53 Skytrooper | Harvard Mk. IV |
AIRCORPS AVIATION DOES MUCH MORE THAN JUST RESTORE WWII AIRCRAFT!
Last year AirCorps Aviation was accepted into General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) as one of only 120 of the world’s leading manufacturers of general aviation airplanes and rotorcraft. Over the past ten years, we have continued our globally recognized WWII aircraft restoration work, while successfully developing a number of strategic investments in Build to Print fabrication, and Repair Station work.
At AirCorps Aviation we have been blessed to work with great people and for great people over these eleven years. Efforts like this P-47 don’t just happen by chance, there are plenty of days that aren’t easy. Restorations like this both humble and challenge you. The glamour of an engine run that was nearly flawless captured in video looks much easier than it appears, as is the case with most things in the warbird industry.
As we continue to expand our restoration abilities and explore the idea of what makes a restoration excellent we need to recognize the people, shops, institutions, and community that helped make this restoration possible.
| BRUCE EAMES – DAKOTA TERRITORY AIR MUSEUM | WARREN PIETSCH – DAKOTA TERRITORY AIR MUSEUM | ||
| BERNIE VASQUEZ – DAKOTA TERRITORY AIR MUSEUM | DAVID HATFIELD | ||
| ANDERSON AIRMOTIVE | MIKE BRESHEARS – VINTAGE AIRFRAMES | ||
| RANDY CARLSON | EAA WARBIRDS OF AMERICA | ||
| CARL SCHOLL | FAGEN FIGHTERS RESTORATION |
| JAY WISLER | NUMEROUS OTHER SMALL SHOPS & SUPPLIERS | ||
| WWII VETERANS WHO’VE SIGNED P-47 PANELS | FINDING LOREN PROJECT & DOCUMENTARY |
I’m nearly speechless after watching the video but that’s never stop me before so;
Godspeed to 609 ! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and by golly she’s Drop Dead Gorgeous !
Am I correct in stating that no other flying P-47 has the Curtiss Electric system on it (electric prop pitch, Curtiss electric prop)? Every P-47D I have seen has the Hamilton Standard setup (including the beautiful Dottie Mae).
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Thank you for this video and the restoration work in general.
My grandfather Lt. Col. Thomas Hubbard piloted a similar razorback P-47 as deputy commander of the 355th Fighter Group out of Steeple Morden, UK. He loved his Jug “Lil Jo” more than the P-40s, P-39s, and B-17Bs he flew earlier in the Pacific. Every time you fire up this beautifully restored Jug, I guarantee “Speed” Hubbard is smiling down on you from the sweet by and by.