@ Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport, Santa Rosa, CA
September 2016
It is not very common to see Thunderbolts take to the air, so it was a treat to see one at the Wings Over Wine Country airshow. Although this Thunderbolt wears the paint scheme and markings of 56th Fighter Group ace Walker M. “Bud” Mahurin, in reality this aircraft spent its wartime years in fighter training roles here in the States. It was acquired by Ed Maloney in 1952 for his envisioned museum collection. First flown in 1941, more than 15,600 aircraft were produced, serving in active duty until 1953. Nikon D500 w/80-400 mm, processed with Aperture.