P-51 on its way to Duxford through Bangor, Maine -

BGR plays host to legendary fighter plane

Photo by The Friedkin Group

Of all the aircraft to which Bangor International has provided ‘tech stop’ facilities, it is doubtful whether any has enjoyed such iconic status as the ‘Berlin Express’, a P51B Mustang famous for flying under the lattice base arch of the Eiffel Tower during a WWII dogfight in Paris.

Awarded the French Legion of Honor for his role in the country’s liberation, US Airforce pilot Bill Overstreet flew the Mustang in hot pursuit of a German Messerschmitt Bf 109, painted with the words Berlin Express because he believed his plane would one day land in that city.

Today the lovingly restored fighter plane is based in Kissimmee, Florida, where Lee Lauderback, one of the most experienced Mustang instructors in the world, is owner and chief pilot of the Stallion 51 Corporation, which has taught thousands of pilots how to fly the P51 for over 30 years.

Lauderback refuelled at BGR before continuing the transatlantic journey from his Florida base to perform in the Flying Legends Airshow in Duxford, England.