The
Largest Assembly of P-51 Mustangs to Fly in Over a Decade during the 43rd
Annual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Expo
(February
16, 2017 Lakeland, FL) Located at the Kissimmee-Gateway airport just outside
Orlando, FL, Stallion 51 has long been noted as the nation’s premiere provider
of transition training in the famous WWII-era fighter, the North American P-51
Mustang. A unique facility, Stallion 51’s expert staff teach owners and pilots
of these historic war machines to operate them safely and efficiently in the
modern age. Since Stallion 51 came into being they have attended the annual SUN
‘n FUN International Fly-In and Expo in Lakeland, bringing their stable of
Mustangs to the Warbird Flight line with Mr. Mustang himself, Lee Lauderback
flying his signature Solo Mustang Demo routine in the air show. This year,
Stallion 51 is celebrating their 30th Anniversary, and they have invited their
many Mustang friends to SUN ‘n FUN to help celebrate and commemorate the
occasion.
On
Wednesday, April 5th, 2017 Stallion 51’s invited guests will arrive
impressive formation for what is promising to be the largest assembly of P-51
Mustangs in over a decade.
“It’s
been over a decade since the world has seen this many P-51 Mustangs in one
place at one time,” said Greg Gibson, Air Operations Director for SUN ‘n FUN.
“We have the honor of not only hosting them, but helping our friends at
Stallion 51 celebrate their 30th anniversary.”
Not
since the famous Gathering of Mustangs and Legends in 2007 in Dayton, Ohio has
there been such a showing of the famous Warbird, and with over 7 acres of
pristine apron space at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport appropriately
named “The Warbird Ramp”, the week-long SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In is the perfect venue
for bringing this elite group together. Over 30 are expected, and the
excitement over the arrival is building.
Gibson’s
enthusiasm for the occasion is readily evident. “It’s a historic event,
celebrating one of the most significant aircraft in history. To see them all
together is overwhelming, but we have a real treat on Thursday for our SUN ‘n
FUN guests: all of them will fly in the airshow at once!”
The
flight demonstration will take place on Thursday, April 6th during
the daily airshow, which begins around 2PM. This will coincide with the first
appearance of the US Navy Blue Angels, scheduled to fly later that same day.
In
1987, Stallion 51 Corp. established itself as a unique aviation business that
specializes in rare expensive vintage aircraft built on the dream and passion
of the Lauderback brothers. Lee, Peter, Richard and John are the cornerstone of
the Mustang world; restoring, operating and marketing the rarest of the breed.
Thousands of people have shared the cockpit with founder and president, Lee
Lauderback and his crew through the years, learning about the magic of the
Merlin and the mystique behind the Mustang. At SUN ‘n FUN 2017, visitors will
get to see the results of their passion as the thunder of Mustangs roar
overhead in a spectacular display not to be missed.
For
more information on this event, please contact Greg Gibson at GGibson@flysnf.org or call him at 863-644-2431. For
more information on attending SUN ‘n FUN, please visit www.flysnf.org. For more
information on Stallion 51, visit www.stallion51.com.
Photo credit to Stallion 51 -
Photo credit to Tony Granat Photography
Labels: aircraft, airplanes, airshows, AMA, aviation insurance, aviation theme, blue angels, EAA, FAA, Ford, military airshow teams, Mustang, P-51 Mustang, Stallion 51, sun and fun, sun n fun, warbirds