Flight of the Red Tail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Flight of the Red Tail |
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| Directed by | Adam N. White |
| Produced by | Hemlock Films |
| Narrated by | James Kisicki |
| Music by | Keith Philip Nickoson |
| Editing by | Adam N. White |
| Studio | Hemlock Films |
| Release date(s) | July 27, 2009 (EAA AirVenture Oshkosh) |
| Running time | 12 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Flight of the Red Tail is a documentary film from 2009. It was made by Adam White. The film tells the exciting story of a special airplane, a World War II P-51 Mustang. This plane was brought back to flying condition by the Red Tail Project.
This specific P-51 Mustang was once flown by the United States Air Force during World War II. It was part of the 332d Fighter Group. Their job was to protect bombers for the Allied Forces in Europe. The plane now serves as a flying tribute to the brave Tuskegee Airmen.
The plane had crashed in 2004 and could no longer fly. Before that, it had been restored once in 2001 for air shows. The Red Tail Project is part of the Commemorative Air Force. This film is a follow-up to Red Tail Reborn. That earlier film showed the efforts to get the plane flying again after its 2004 crash.
About the Film
The film Flight of the Red Tail was released on DVD on November 27, 2009. It is a short film, lasting only 12 minutes. The movie continues the story from Red Tail Reborn. It shows the amazing work of rebuilding the plane after its accident. The director, Adam White, says this film is just one part of a longer story.
The Plane's Restoration
The restoration of the P-51 Mustang took five years. It happened at Tri-State Aviation in Wahpeton, North Dakota. The work began in 2004 and finished in 2009.
In 2007, one of the main restorers, Gerry Beck, was in a plane accident. This happened during AirVenture 2007. Even after this, the team kept working hard on the P-51. The engine was put in place in 2008. The wings were attached in 2009.
First Flight and Public Debut
On July 22, 2009, the plane flew for the first time after its restoration. This was just four days before AirVenture 2009. The big air show was held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The plane was then flown to Wisconsin for its first public appearance. After the show, it returned to Minnesota. Six AT-6 planes flew alongside it as an escort.
