Ford unveil 'Thunderbirds' custom Mustang
Ford is the exclusive automotive sponsor of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture Oshkosh, held from July 29 through August 4 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
As in recent years, this year's custom was built in-house at Ford, and based on a future model Mustang, in this case, the first 2014 production model (VIN #0001) Mustang GT 5.0-litre coupe.
The unique 'U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Ford Mustang GT' celebrates the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the fastest, multi-jet flight demonstration team in the world. The Thunderbirds, who currently fly the F-16 Falcon, are known for the glossy red, white and blue paint scheme of their aircraft. The exterior of the Mustang carries custom paint markings and logos inspired by the display team's aircraft.
The treatment also includes wide body modifications and a handcrafted and painted "belly pan" that emulates the F-16 Thunderbirds. TS Designs handcrafted the front and rear wide body elements, while Creations n' Chrome crafted the unique belly pan and applied the paint and markings. Forgiato created custom 22-inch multi-spoke wheels to further differentiate this Mustang.
Unique interior details include a modified navigation screen, instrument cluster and rear seat-delete. The car's Recaro seats include embroidered Thunderbirds elements. Additional features include unique sill plates and puddle lamps that project the aircraft silhouette when the doors open.
Under the bonnet, Ford Racing components boost the GT's performance through the addition of a Ford Racing supercharger, suspension handling pack and Brembo brakes to give the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Edition Ford Mustang GT 'show' to match its 'go'.
Ford Design Manager Melvin Betancourt and Mustang Chief Nameplate Engineer Dave Pericak led the design and engineering teams that developed the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Edition Mustang GT.
The one-off Thunderbirds Mustang GT has been donated by Ford to be auctioned at the Gathering of Eagles charity event during August's EAA AirVenture event. All proceeds from the sale will benefit the EAA Young Eagles program, which provides free introductory flights to young Americans, aiming to inspire and motivate the next generation of aviation innovators, leaders and pioneers. Ford is a longtime sponsor of EAA and AirVenture.
Sponsors supporting the build of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Edition Mustang include Creations n' Chrome, TS Designs, Ford Racing Performance Parts, Forgiato and Brembo Brakes.
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Edition joins five other one-of-a-kind Mustangs created by the Ford design and engineering teams for the EAA Young Eagles auction in recent years, which have collectively raised nearly $1.9 million to support Young Eagles.
The unique vehicles produced by Ford in support of EAA Young Eagles include the following:
2008 - Mustang AV8R, with styling cues from the F-22 "Raptor," this custom helped introduce the glass-roof canopy Mustang and delivered a record auction contribution of $500,000.
2009 - AV-X10 "Dearborn Doll" Mustang, crafted in honour of the P51 Mustang fighter aircraft from World War II, with a nod to Ford's headquarters.
2010 - SR-71 "Blackbird" Mustang, inspired by the legendary reconnaissance jet and created with input from Carroll Shelby, a former U.S. Air Force flight instructor, and longtime P-51 pilot Jack Roush.
2011 - "Blue Angels" Mustang, celebrated 100 years of United States naval aviation and liveried in the style of the US Navy's aerobatic display team.
2012 - "Red Tails" Mustang, created as an homage to the Tuskegee Airmen, the squadron of P-51 Mustang pilots who were the United States' first African American military airmen.
Images: Ford Media
