P-51, Last Roundup, 2007

Rickenbacker wins 3-way race to host legendary fighters
P-51 Mustangs played a vital role escorting bombers in World War II
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Tim Doulin
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH


Rickenbacker Airport is to host a historic gathering of P-51 fighter
planes and pilots next year.
Rickenbacker beat out two Denver-area airports to hold the event that
organizers hope will attract at least 100,000 people Sept. 27-30, 2007.
"This is going to be a worldwide event," said Angela West, the event
director for Stallion 51 Corp., a P-51 Mustang flight operation based in
Kissimmee, Fla.
Rickenbacker was selected over Front Range and Jefferson County airports
in Colorado because of its ability to accommodate the event. The
airport¹s history also played a part.
Rickenbacker was the post-World War II home of the Tuskegee Airmen, a
black military unit that flew P-51 Mustangs, and was a B-17 training
base during the war. "All that added up," West said.
Once known as Lockbourne Army Air Base, Rickenbacker will celebrate its
65 th anniversary in 2007.
"It is just such a wonderful fit," said Angie Tabor, a spokeswoman for
the Columbus Regional Airport Authority. "We think it will appeal to so
many people, not only the aviation enthusiasts and historians but
families who will want to come in and spend the day."
P-51 Mustangs were used mostly to escort American bombers in raids over
Germany in World War II. They also saw service against the Japanese air
forces and in the early stages of the Korean War. The planes remained in
service with some air forces throughout the world into the 1980s.
Organizers of the event hope to attract about 100 Mustangs and 51
veterans who flew the plane.
"It is going to be a celebration of flying the Mustang, putting it up in
formation, letting people get up close and personal with the airplane
and the veterans, what we call the Œlegends,¹ " West said.
Organizers also hope to attract other aircraft that flew with and
against the P-51 Mustang.
About 130 P-51 Mustangs, most privately owned, are flying in the United
States, West said. A total of 65 showed up when the company held a
similar event in Florida in 1999.
The event is being called the "Gathering of Mustangs and Legends ‹ The
Final Round Up." It is expected to be the last event bringing together
the aircraft and the veterans who flew them.
"Unfortunately, the veterans are passing away so quickly and so
frequently," West said.

*

("john smith" wrote)
Rickenbacker wins 3-way race to host legendary fighters
P-51 Mustangs played a vital role escorting bombers in World War II

Saturday, April 08, 2006
Tim Doulin
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Rickenbacker Airport is to host a historic gathering of P-51 fighter
planes and pilots next year.

Rickenbacker beat out two Denver-area airports to hold the event that
organizers hope will attract at least 100,000 people Sept. 27-30, 2007.


http://www.renomustangroundup.com/index.php
Reno June 14-17, 2007

They're touring, like rock stars. :-)


Montblack