Photos from National Warplane Museum - Geneseo Airshow's post R. T. Dickson and the beautiful P-51 "Swamp Fox" will appear at the Geneseo Airshow 2019.
P-51 Mustang 44-74202 was surplused from USAF inventory in May of 1957. After several decades of not being in airworthy condition, Jack Croul bought the airframe and had it completely restored. The restoration was managed by Jeff Harris at Allied Fighters in Chino, California with Mike Breshears of Vintage Airframes in Caldwell, ID doing a majority of the work. Also providing support during the restoration was Fighter Rebuilders (Chino) and Westpac Restorations (Colorado Springs). Roush Aviation in Michigan overhauled the Packard Merlin engine.
The aircraft was sold just prior to the completion of the restoration to a partnership of Robert Dickson and his son RT. The Dickson’s consider themselves trustees of this important piece of history and want to preserve by honoring all those past present and future that have served the US Armed Forces.
Native to the Carolina’s and in keeping with the mission to honor the everyday service person, the Dickson’s wanted to honor a local WWII hero and decided to have the newly restored Mustang painted as Will Foard’s last mount 44-15660 “Swamp Fox” C5-A, 364th Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force, based out of Leiston, England.
Lt Col Will Foard, USAF (ret), then a young USAAF Lt, grew up in the Carolina’s. Since he was flying and fighting out of England, Will thought it would be funny to name his plane after the famous American Revolutionary hero from South Carolina, Col Francis Marion. Marion was hated by the British and gave him the moniker “Swamp Fox”.
In an effort to honor all those past, present, and future who have served, RT, travels to events across the US to educate and demonstrate the capabilities of the P-51 to future generations. ... See more
