WWII Fighter P-40 Warhawk to be featured at RAFB Air Show

Thom Richard, chief pilot and president of Warbird Adventures Flying School, is set to perform at the Thunder Over Georgia Air Show this weekend, Sept. 28-29, at Robins Air Force Base.

Richard has been flying for 27 years, since age 16. He decided to be a champion race pilot at age seven. Almost half of his 10,500 hours has been accumulated in vintage WarBirds and with success in racing a famous P-51 Mustang in the Unlimited Class at the US National Championships. Richard won the gold in Monastir, Tunisia, at the first formula one air race ever held on the African continent, Air Race 1 World Cup.

“I was born and raised in Sweden,” Richard said. “When I was seven years old, I wanted to be champion race pilot and there was no such opportunity in my home country. So at the age of 17, I came over to the United States by myself with $2,500 in my pocket and since then I have been living the American dream.”

Aside from competing as a champion race pilot, Richard has been a part of the Warbird Adventures Flying School for years. He said it is a school based out of Florida, where anyone can come with no experience and learn how to fly. The aircraft Richard will perform in the P-40 Warhawk this weekend.

Known for being the first line of defense during the attack on Pearl Harbor, the legendary P-40 holds a special place among the WWII Fighters in history and was successfully used in every theatre of the war. The “Flying Tigers” under Claire Chennault in China were the most famous. “American Dream,” the aircraft Richard flys, is a flying national historic monument, as it achieved two confirmed Japanese aerial victories, one Zero fighter and one Betty bomber, before being downed over New Guinea in September 1943. The Aircraft has now been meticulously restored, and is equipped with dual cockpits and dual controls for pilot training.

“It wasn’t until the 1990’s when an Australian recovery crew found the aircraft and began restoring,” Richard said. “It took about 10 years to restore and it has only been flying for 10 years. It is really special and I take it as a true honor to fly this plane for a living. It never gets old.”

Richard will be offering training flights for pilots & non-pilots, Monday at the Perry- Houston County Airport. The P-40 will also be showcasing a thrilling performance to display a rare glimpse of one of aviation’s most iconic fighters during the weekends event.

For more information about taking a flight at the Perry-Houston County Airport go online to www.warbirdadventures.com.