Our planes fly!

North American P-51D Mustang

Called the "Mustang", the P-51 is perhaps the best-known fighter of World War II. With its Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, the P-51 quickly became the war's dominant fighter plane. It was though of as a "knight in shining armor" by the many bomber crews it escorted.

After the war, the P-51 remained in US service with the Strategic Air Command until 1949, and with the Air National Guard and Reserves into the 1950s. It became one of the first fighters to see combat in the Korean War. The RAF's Fighter Command used them until 1946. In addition, over 50 air forces around the world acquired and used the Mustang for many more years, some as recently as the early 1980s. When the US Air Force realigned their aircraft designations in the 1950s, the Mustang became the F-51.

Chance-Vought F4U Corsair

The Corsair was used by the Navy and Marines during World War II and the Korean War. Perhaps it is best known for its inverted gull wing. Its looks made it a star of the 1970s TV series "Baa Baa Black Sheep". This wonderfully restored aircraft is owned by Gerald Beck of Wahpeton, ND.

Grumman TBM Avenger

The Avenger became the Navy's primary torpedo bomber aircraft. Its best-known pilot may be former President George Bush. Just over 30 Avengers still remain airworthy.

Douglas DC-3/C-47 Skytrain

Perhaps best known as the "Gooney Bird", the DC-3 was the primary aircraft transporting troops and equipment during World War II. DC-3s were used to tow the gliders and paratroops that were instrumental in the successful Allied invasion of France on D-Day. Visit Duggy at www.duggy.com.

Cessna L-19/O-1 Bird Dog

One of a long line of civilian light planes converted to military use (like the Taylor, Piper, and Stinson "Grasshoppers" of World War II fame), the Cessna L-19 "Bird Dog" observation and Forward Air Control aircraft traced its origins to the Cessna 170, a 4-place civilian light plane, with its military power upgraded from 145 to 213 hp.

Taylorcraft L-2

Originally known as the YO-57, the Taylorcraft L-2 came from the commercial Taylorcraft Model D, and was one of a series of light aircraft used in the observation and liaison mission during World War II

PT-19

The PT-19 began production in 1940 to be used as the US Army Air Corps' primary trainer. More than 3,700 were built before 1942, when an engine change ended the PT-19's run. Maj. Gen. (ret) owned by Bonanzaville and is on loan to the museum