Heroes
Honoring the TUSKEGEE AIRMEN San Diego Air & Space Museum International Hall of Fame
P-51 Mustang
Of all the distinctive space vehicles and aircraft at the San Diego Air & Space Museum – and there are many , from the A12 Blackbird and Sea Dart near the building ’ s entrance , the actual Apollo 9 Command Module , an iconic Bell X-1 , a replica of Charles Lindbergh ’ s Spirit of St . Louis , the Gee Bee Racer , and Amelia Earhart ’ s beloved Lockheed Vega – one that stands out in many visitors ’ minds is the North American P51D Mustang in the World War II Gallery .
The Mustang does not capture attention just because of its elegant design , laminar flow wings and stabilizing tail shrake . Instead , the plane ’ s distinctive markings are what sets it apart , because of its red tail and unmistakable markings from one of World War II ’ s most storied aerial units , the famed Tuskegee Airmen .
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Known as the “ Red Tails ” because of their unit markings , the Tuskegee Airmen overcame much adversity to become one of the most respected units of the Army Air Corps . In June 1941 , the Tuskegee Airmen program officially began at the Tuskegee Institute , a highly regarded university founded by Booker T . Washington in Tuskegee , Alabama . The Airmen , including ground support crews , were placed under the command of Capt . Benjamin O . Davis , Jr ., one of the few African American West Point graduates .
The Tuskegee Airmen saw their first combat mission in North Africa in 1943 . They were initially equipped with P-40 Warhawks and P-39 Airacobras . Later they had the P-47 Thunderbolts , and finally were given the airplane they would become most identified with , the P-51 Mustang . By the end of the World War II , the Tuskegee Airmen achieved an impressive combat record , shooting down well over 100 German aircraft and receiving three distinguished unit citations .