Courtesy Aircraft, Author at Courtesy Aircraft

NORTH AMERICAN T-28 ARRIVES IN BELGIUM!

“Hi Mark, My plane well arrived in Belgium, here is a picture of the mechanic Frederic and me. The fuselage is near my office for the winter and the re-assembly will be done in March. Thanks for your help in that sale. Best regards, Patrick”

TBM Leaves the Snowy North and Now On Its Way to the Sandy Beaches of Hawaii!

Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor’s Newly Purchased Grumman TBM Avenger is on it way to Hawaii! This is Courtesy Aircraft’s 2nd Aircraft Sold to the Museum.

Heather Penny sponsored by Courtesy Aircraft at the 2017 NWOC

It was a special treat for all of us to hear Heather Penny’s 9/11 story and what she was willing to sacrifice for our great country. It will be a story that we will never forget. Heather is also working with the CAF’s RISE ABOVE WASP, a national educational outreach program, inspiring young women by telling the story of the Women Airforce Service Pilots. For additional information on this great program, visit: https://riseabovewasp.org/

Airport Business Magazine

See Article about Courtesy Aircraft in Airport Business Magazine

Courtesy Aircraft in Northwest Quarterly Magazine

See Article about Mark Clark and Courtesy Aircraft in Northwest Quarterly Magazine

Queen of the Skies Looks to Continue Historical, Educational Mission

Courtesy Aircraft (Rockford, IL) announces the availability of the rare and historic Fuddy Duddy, one of less than 10 flying B-17’s in the world. The famed B-17 is currently owned by the Wings of Eagles Discovery Center in Elmira, NY. “The focus and the efforts of the Museum are changing, and the B-17 does not really fit the new model,” states Mark Clark, President of Courtesy Aircraft. On contracted tour with the EAA, Fuddy Duddy has visited more than 50 cities annually, flying in excess of 300 hours and over 500 missions. More than 20,000 people have toured the Flying Fortress on the ground. Through advance and event coverage, Fuddy Duddy has logged nearly 8 million measured newspaper impressions plus an estimated 20 million broadcast media impressions. A secondary benefit of these exhibitions has been substantial membership growth as well as an increase in the EAA’s volunteer base, with approximately 31,800 volunteer hours contributed. In praising the Fuddy Duddy’s impact, the EAA said, “The B-17 is by a considerable margin the most significant aircraft outreach program offered nationally.” “Ideally, the museum will find a corporate sponsor or sponsors that will underwrite some or all of the B-17’s operating expenses so the museum can make it available to people who might not otherwise be able to afford to fly in it,” said Wings of Eagles Executive Director Mike Hall. “If a sponsorship deal can’t be worked out, selling the craft is a possibility,” he said. The museum has entered into a contract with Courtesy Aircraft to explore options on the aircraft. “Whether we secure a sponsor(s) or buyer, the museum is very interested in someone who will continue the educational and historic operation of the aircraft,” said Mark Clark, President of Courtesy Aircraft Sales. “They contracted with us to look at various options. Finding a national sponsor is one; finding someone to buy it and donate it back, or sell the airplane, are the others,” Clark said. “It just depends on which one is the most viable option for the museum. “The thrust is to have the airplane continue to tell its history and inspirational story,” he said. “A lot of museums have an interest in the airplane.” “It’s a fantastic resource. These airplanes have touched everybody.” For more information, contact: Mark Clark Courtesy Aircraft, Inc. President (800) 426-8783 [email protected] (815) 229-5112 5233 Falcon Road Rockford, IL 61109 USA

Douglas A-20G “HAVOC” Offered on the Market

Courtesy Aircraft has been appointed exclusive sales agent for the rare Douglas A-20G “Havoc”, N3WF, the ONLY flyable A-20G currently in the world. Once owned by Paul Mantz, the famous pre-World War II race pilot and movie flying daredevil and believed to have been flown by Howard Hughes, this is a rare, historical offering. The A-20G joins the market with a rare and prestine Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat and a grumman FM-2 Wildcat, each part of a major aviation collection since 1991. Courtesy Aircraft Sales, established in 1957, has earned the recognition as The World Leader in Warbird Sales. Courtesy has sold over 220 Warbirds since 2000 including the Beoing B-17 Fuddy Duddy, Lockheed P-38L Putt Putt Maru, Goodyear FG-1D Corsair Marines Dream as well as 18 North American P-51 Mustangs. To learn more, contact: Mark Clark, President (800) 426-8783 5233 Falcon Road (815) 229-5112 Rockford, IL 61109 USA [email protected]

Courtesy Aircraft Celebrating Notable Sales Milestones: WARBIRDS

Over the past 50 years, Courtesy Aircraft Sales has earned the reputation of being known as the World Leader in Warbird Sales. Recently two major milestones have been surpassed with Courtesy Aircraft Sales now having sold 100 North American AT-6s (also known as SNJs or Harvards) and 30 North American P-51 Mustangs in the past decade. Considering the relative rarity of these ex-military aircraft, this is one accomplishment that comes far and few between. For example, today there are approximately 350 North American AT-6s that are airworthy. Courtesy Aircraft has sold approximately 30% of all airworthy AT-6 aircraft- and not all have been on the market. Courtesy Aircraft has sold more North American aircraft than any other company besides North American Aviation itself. Mark Clark, President of Courtesy Aircraft states, “It is a pleasure to be part of the history of these aircraft; I continue to be impressed with the enthusiasm shown by the public for these symbols of freedom.” About Courtesy Aircraft Sales Courtesy Aircraft was founded in 1957 as a new Cessna aircraft dealership. As years past and business continued to prosper, a new market began to emerge including ex-military trainers, fighters and bombers also known as warbirds. With the help of President Mark Clark’s strong aviation background and years of sales experience, Courtesy Aircraft has sold over 3,000 aircraft all around the world. Courtesy Aircraft assists their customers with the aircraft ownership process from start to finish. This includes financing, insurance, training and checkouts as well as ferry and container delivery services worldwide. With an impressive website for all aviation enthusiasts, Courtesy Aircraft also recently extended their aircraft profiles page with over 20 additional aircraft specifications. For further information on Courtesy Aircraft Sales or to view a complete inventory of warbird and civilian aircraft, visit www.courtesyaircraft.com. For more information, contact: Mark Clark (800) 426-8783 President (815) 229-5112 Courtesy Aircraft Sales [email protected] 5233 Falcon Road Rockford, IL 61109 USA Darcy Kaapke (800) 426-8783 Marketing Director (815) 229-5112 Courtesy Aircraft Sales [email protected]

Wings of History: A TF-51 Mustang Finds a New Home

After a devastating hurricane, a new addition to a museum’saircraft collection is made. Rockford, IL – Courtesy Aircraft Sales today announced a very special transaction with the Lone Star Flight Museum. In 2008, the Lone Star Flight Museum located in Galveston, Texas, sustained massive damage due to Hurricane Ike. Extreme efforts were made to save the aircraft from harms way. The aircraft unable to fly out in time received major damage and many of the museum’s exhibits were destroyed. After months of cleaning debris, with the help of local businesses, the United States Navy and kind donations, significant progress has been made in restoring the museum back to its original condition. The museum re-opened for business in the beginning of 2009. Because of the extensive damage to Lone Star’s aircraft collection, Courtesy Aircraft Sales was asked to help President Larry Gregory, find new warbirds to replace those that were lost. At the end of 2009, NL415ID, a TF-51 Mustang, found a new home in Galveston, Texas. North American Mustangs are universally known as one of the best aircraft fighters; They significantly helped change the course of WWII because of their excellent performance and long-range capabilities. This specific Mustang is a “TF” version, which are much more rare than the common P-51D Mustang. The Mustang is scheduled to be used in their Flight Experience Program. This program allows enthusiasts to experience first hand the thrill of WWII aircraft in flight. Aircraft in the Flight Experience Program include a B-17 Flying Fortress, a B-25 Mitchell, a T-6 Texan, a PT-17 Stearman and now, the museum’s new TF-51 Mustang. Courtesy Aircraft Sales participation with the Lone Star Flight Museum and Robert Waltrip, Founder of Lone Star Museum, goes back many years. Courtesy Aircraft assisted Mr. Waltrip and the museum with a number of transactions including a Harvard MK IV, a Douglas A-20G, a Grumman FM-2, a Grumman F7F-3 and a Lockheed P-38L (Pictured Above). About Courtesy Aircraft Sales Courtesy Aircraft was founded in 1957 as a new Cessna aircraft dealership. As years past and business continued to prosper, a new market began to emerge including ex-military trainers, fighters and bombers also known as warbirds. With the help of President Mark Clark’s strong aviation background and years of sales experience, Courtesy Aircraft has sold over 3,000 aircraft all around the world. Courtesy Aircraft assists their customers with the aircraft ownership process from start to finish. This includes financing, insurance, training and checkouts as well as ferry and container delivery services worldwide. With an impressive website for all aviation enthusiasts, with an average of 2,500 sessions and 97,000 hits per day, www.courtesyaircraft.com has become one of the most popular aviation websites in the world. For further information on Courtesy Aircraft Sales or to view a complete inventory of warbird and civilian aircraft, visit our wesbite today! For more information, contact: Mark Clark (800) 426-8783 President (815) 229-5112 Courtesy Aircraft Sales [email protected] 5233 Falcon Road Rockford, IL 61109 USA Darcy Kaapke (800) 426-8783 Marketing Director (815) 229-5112 Courtesy Aircraft Sales [email protected]