*Update 11:00AM 10/15/2020. Due to inclement weather, the flight has been rescheduled to Friday, October 16th.
The world-famous P-47 Thunderbolt, Tarheel Hal, will arrive in Evansville this Thursday, October 15, 2020, thanks to fundraising efforts by the Evansville P-47 Foundation. The estimated time of arrival of Tarheel Hal is 1:00 p.m., on Thursday, weather dependent. The plane will be flying a series of passes over Evansville and Dress Plaza, and the public is encouraged to view from the riverfront to see it arrive back home to Evansville. The public will also be able to catch a glimpse of Tarheel Hal on the ground before making its final departure to the museum from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at the ramp between Tri-Sate Aero and Hampton Inn on Flightline Dr.
Tarheel Hal will remain at the Evansville Wartime Museum while the Foundation continues fundraising efforts to keep the plane at home in Evansville permanently. The aircraft was built by Republic Aviation in Evansville and was accepted by the Army Air Corps on May 07, 1945. In the early nineties, the plane underwent a two-stage restoration to mint condition and has been flying ever since. As one of the few airworthy P-47’s in existence, it represents the proud history of manufacturing in Evansville and the community’s contribution to the nation’s war effort.
The Evansville Wartime Museum will be preparing the plane for display at their 7503 Petersburg Road facility and will be opening it to the public on Thursday, October 22. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the museum will have a limited. timed-entry system for visitations. The public is encouraged to visit the museum website to schedule a visit.
www.evansvillewartimemuseum.org
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