Ford Mustang Thunderbirds Design Unveiled - Despite Sequester Caused Air Show Cancellations
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Official Air Force Thunderbirds Cancellation Statement: The implementation of across-the-board cuts in federal spending has caused the curtailment of the Thunderbirds 2013 show schedule. Effective April 1, all of the team’s performances have been cancelled.
EDITOR'S NOTE: I have always thrilled at seeing the Thunderbirds performan over the past 60 years...but now because of the doo-doo brains in Washington DC who instead of earning their pay and putting the needs of the USA first have weaseled out of their law making and guardianship of our country, have unleashed the "sequester", which not only caused The Thunderbirds to cancel all of their event appearances, but is reducing the pay of civilian Marines and other patriotic Americans stationed around the world by 20% and they can't do anything about it. Hmm how about street demonstrations?
I have an idea.. why not reduce the Congress's salary by 20% immediately, and if they can't get their shit together another 20% for every three months this mess lasts...USA!
 CANCELED BY ORDER OF THE U.S. CONGRESS |
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All proceeds from the car donation and sale will benefit the EAA Young
Eagles program, which has provided free introductory flights to more than
1.6 million young people since 1992, helping inspire and motivate the next
generation of leaders, aviators and innovators.
Ford is the exclusive automotive sponsor of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh,
held July 29 through Aug. 4 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh,
Wis.
“
The dedication and excellence displayed by the United States
Air Force Thunderbirds are qualities we also celebrate at Ford,” said
Edsel B. Ford II, a member of the Ford board of directors. “With this
year’s beautiful U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Edition Mustang,
we’ve captured the recognizable symbols of their stature and paired
it with the innovation our Ford design and engineering teams build into all
of our products.
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“Through this project,” Ford added, “we take great
pride in continuing our support for EAA and the Young Eagles
organization.”
This unique U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Ford Mustang GT celebrates and
commemorates the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force
Thunderbirds, the fastest, multi-jet flight demonstration team in the
world. Thunderbirds fly the F-16 Falcon, known for its glossy red, white
and blue paint scheme.
This one-of-a-kind car is VIN 0001. The design of the modified 2014
Mustang GT 5.0-liter glass-roof coupe exudes a creative connection to the
Thunderbirds, with a contemporary flair for the serious collector.
The exterior will showcase a custom brilliant white paint with red and
blue accents, as well as markings and logos, tying it to the
Thunderbirds’ F-16 Falcon aircraft. The unique treatment includes
wide body modifications and a handcrafted and painted “belly
pan” that emulates the F-16 Thunderbird appearance. TS Designs
handcrafted the front and rear wide body elements, Creations n’
Chrome crafted the unique belly pan – plus applied the paint and
markings – and Forgiato created custom 22-inch wheels to further
differentiate this Mustang from anything else on the road.
Unique interior details of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Edition
Ford Mustang GT 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.
Ford Racing components will boost the performance to an extraordinary
level. With the addition of a Ford Racing supercharger, suspension handling
pack and Brembo® brakes, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Edition
Mustang will exude class, power and performance.
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 Young Eagles auction is part of the EAA Gathering of Eagles gala.
The Gathering of Eagles annually draws more than 1,000 aviation enthusiasts
in support of Young Eagles and other EAA programs that inspire young people
to become engineers, aviators, astronauts, scientists and innovators
– the aviation pioneers of tomorrow.
“Ford is a longtime, committed sponsor of EAA and AirVenture,
bringing value to those who make Oshkosh the pinnacle of their aviation
year,” said Rod Hightower, EAA president and CEO. “These
specialty vehicles reflect the depth of Ford’s commitment and allow
EAA to provide support to its valuable programs and dedicated members in
helping us grow the next generation of aviators.”
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, each generating excitement among aviation
and automotive enthusiasts alike. Ford vehicles sold at auction during past
EAA AirVenture events 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 Mustang AV8R, with cues from the F-22 “Raptor,”
which in 2008 helped introduce the glass-roof canopy and delivered a record
auction contribution of $500,000. In 2009 Ford’s AV-X10
“Dearborn Doll” Mustang was crafted in honor of World War II
aircraft. In 2010 two automotive icons – the late Carroll Shelby, a
former U.S. Air Force flight instructor, and Jack Roush, longtime P-51
pilot – collaborated for the first time to create the SR-71
“Blackbird” Mustang inspired by the legendary reconnaissance
jet. The “Blue Angels” Mustang in 2011 celebrated 100 years of
United States naval aviation, and last year’s “Red Tails”
Mustang paid homage to the Tuskegee Airmen, the courageous squadron of P-51
Mustang pilots who were the United States’ first African American
military airmen.
During EAA AirVenture, Ford will offer attendees access to the latest
advances in automobile technology and feature exciting attractions and fan
favorites at the Ford Hangar on the grounds of Wittman Regional Airport.
Ford activities include top-tier entertainment and interactive components
that will add excitement for the hundreds of thousands of aviation fans in
attendance.
To participate in the auction, candidates must prequalify by
contacting the EAA development office at 800.236.1025 or development@eaa.org.
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.
To stay connected to all Ford EAA AirVenture news, connect with the
Ford EAA AirVenture team on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/FordAirventure
or visit http://www.FordAirventure.com.
For more information on EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013, visit http://www.AirVenture.org.
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About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH is The World’s Greatest Aviation
Celebration and EAA’s yearly membership convention. Additional EAA
AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is
available online at www.airventure.org. EAA members receive lowest prices
on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call
1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org. Immediate news is
available at www.twitter.com/EAAupdate.
EAA AirVenture 2013 will feature 10,000 aircraft, including 2,500
show planes, and is expected to attract more than 500,000 aviation
enthusiasts from more than 70 countries.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 175,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 175,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.