BAND OF DIFFERENT BROTHERS

Air Classics, Jul 2005 by Budde-Jones, Kathryn

In the tradition of many great families, the Lauderbacks have taken their passion and turned it into not only a business but an empire. Lee, Peter, Richard and John are a foundation of the Mustang world - restoring, operating and marketing the classic breed.

Richard and Pete, often referred to as the Lauderback Brothers, are identical twins with a combined vision of how to restore an award-winning Mustang. Their Stallion 51 Maintenance Operation has won many awards for their restoration work, taking home from Oshkosh and Sun N Fun top honors for their perfect Mustangs. Known world-wide for their skill and expert tise, they have also restored and/or repaired Spitfires, P-40s, MiG 17, F-86 Sabres and now are working on an OV-10 Bronco. Peter and Richard have been working on Warbirds of different eras since joining the Air Force in the early 1970s. After the service they earned their A &. P certificates from Embry-Riddle, applying their knowledge to everything from modem jets to Warbirds. Through their almost two-decade association with the TF-51D Crazy Horse, dozens of Mustangs have found their way to the Lauderback corral for restoration and repair.

Lee has divided his talent and knowledge of flying Mustangs into several unique directions. Stallion 51 offers Orientation Flights to the individual who wants to have a personal relationship with a Mustang. Crazy Horse is used to share the P-51 with people from all over the world. "The Horse" is also used as a classroom for those who take Lee's extensive and comprehensive training course that prepares them to fly and enjoy their own Mustang. Lee also takes Crazy Horse on the road to share its history and heritage with people all over the country through airshow aerial demonstrations and the USAF Heritage Flight Program.

The Heritage Flight started in 1997 to celebrate the USAF's 50th Anniversary. The Heritage Flight weaves aviation's past with its future by flying the fighters of WWII with today's fighters. Lee is a member of this exclusive program, which has only six military pilots and twelve civilian pilots in its ranks. The Heritage Flight flies F-16s, F-15s, and A-10s with Mustangs and other WWII Warbirds. It is a show-stopping moment when an F-16 and a Mustang fly in formation overhead, sharing the sky as they share their place in history.

John is coordinating the Lauderback family's newest offering - Mustang Sales. Through the family's many Warbird connections, they know virtually every Mustang flying today and are the perfect people to ask about Mustangs that are or will be for sale long before they are available on the open market.

All of the Lauderbacks will be involved in various capacities for what will be the largest gathering of Mustangs since military service. The Gathering of Mustangs and Legends - The Final Round Up will unite the men and machines that won the war at Stead Field, Nevada, on 8-11 June 2006. Mustangs from all over the world will be attending to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime aviation happening - along with the Mustang aces and pilots from WWII and Korea. The Air Force Heritage Flight will be participating along with a proposed 51 Mustang formation flight during the Gathering's activity-filled event. The Lauderback corral will be well-represented at the Gathering of Mustangs and Legends. There are approximately 120 Mustangs flying today of which the Lauderbacks are responsible for the "care, feeding and stabling" of about 10% of them.