The RedTail Project - Tuskegee Airmen Tribute

Hello and thank you for taking time to read about the RedTail Project. I would like to ask for your help in making RedTail Project a reality. With a small donation and word of mouth to your network, we could provide underrepresented youth in aviation the exposure and training needed to develop a lifelong passion for aviation. The RedTail Project will provide youth educational opportunities throughout the entire process. 

The RedTail Project is committed to transparency and responsible stewardship of donor contributions. We adhere to best practices in fundraising ethics, ensuring that all funds are used to directly support our mission. Our fundraising efforts align with IRS regulations and industry standards to maintain donor trust and accountability.

We welcome donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations and offer various giving options, including one-time contributions, recurring donations, sponsorship opportunities, and legacy gifts. All contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

For more information on how to support our mission, please contact us at via gofundme or visit our website a www.theredtailproject.org [under construction].

Stage one will introduce students to project sourcing, financing and budgeting. Stage two will allow students interested in an aircraft's design, build and mechanics to work on all aspects of an airplane. Students will have the option to work on the wing and fuselage build, as well as avionics design and engine installation. 

The Problem: According to 2020 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 94% of the United State’s 155,000 aircraft pilots and flight engineers identified as white. Only 3.4% were Black, with just over 10% combined of pilots and engineers listed as Black, Latinx (5.0%), or Asian (2.2%). The U.S. military is often touted as one of America’s most racially diverse institutions, a haven for blacks looking for a fair shot at advancement. But there is one spot in the armed forces where blacks are few and far between; the cockpits of America’s military aircraft. According to recently released Defense Department statistics, about 20 percent of the U.S. military is black, compared to 13 percent of all Americans. But in the two services with the majority of fixed-wing aircraft, the Navy and the Air Force, the percentage of black aviators is very small. Navy statistics from the fourth quarter of 2020 show that of 13,300 aeronautically designated aviators (16 percent of the officer corps), just 2.3 percent are black (306). And in the Air Force, as of 2021, 13,789 Airmen were aeronautically designated (also 16.1 percent of the officer corps), just 2.1 percent are black pilots (283). The dearth of black pilots is hardly news. On the contrary, military officials have been aware of the phenomenon for decades.

The Solution: The RedTail Project will help shed light on an exciting part of American Aviation history; the legendary Tuskegee Airmen of the 332d Fighter Group. The RedTail Project will build a P-51 replica to honor the Legendary men who trailblazed a path in history for African American Aviation. Upon completion, this P-51 Mustang will be used for familiarization & training flights and as an educational tool for young aspiring aviators on the contributions of African Americans to aviation.

Funds donated will be used in the following ways:

Phase 1 - Retain counsel and establish a 501(c)3 non profit organization and articles of incorporation $7,500

Phase 2 - Identification, order, purchase and delivery of a 70% replica of a P-51 Mustang build kit $56,000 deposit

Phase 3 - Pay remaining balance of the kit $169,000 in 3 installments Phase 4 - Parts order, build and paint $85,000

Phase 5 - Test flights and FAA certification $5,500

Phase 6 - Education and Training (annual operating costs) $35,000/year = 6 years 

Who am I? My name is Valentino. I am a Naval Aviator and Aerospace Physiologist interested in aviation history and providing training and flight opportunities for underrepresented youth in aviation.