Press Releases

Rockford, IL — Courtesy Aircraft Sales has been commissioned to sell over 20 rare, vintage and one-of-a-kind warbird and civilian aircraft. This private collection only recently became available and consists of flyable aircraft in excellent condition and some restoration projects. A particular project of importance and value is the availability of a rare North American F-82E Twin Mustang fighter.  Significant professional restoration work has already been completed including wings and the engines. This airplane is one of only two in civilian ownership. “We’re delighted we’ve been chosen to facilitate the sales of these fine airplanes,” commented Mark Clark, President of Courtesy Aircraft Sales. “Each plane represents a significant piece of aviation history and contributed to the freedom we enjoy today.”

Courtesy Aircraft Sales assists with the sale of collections of all sizes as well as individual purchases of warbird or civilian aircraft. For a complete inventory listing, visit Courtesy Aircraft Sales on the Internet at www.courtesyaircraft.com. Courtesy Aircraft Sales is one of the most respected aircraft dealers in the U.S., having sold more than 3,000 civilian and warbird aircraft since 1957. To find out more about buying or selling an aircraft, contact Mark Clark or John Kraman at Courtesy Aircraft Sales, 5233 Falcon Road, Rockford, IL 61109; 800/426-8783; FAX: 815/229-1815; www.courtesyaircraft.com.

See Article about Courtesy Aircraft in Airport Business Magazine

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

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

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]

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]

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]

Click to read “THE T-28, INSIDE THIS WARBIRD WORKHORSE”

by Jim Busha

Largest DC-3/ C-47 Formation Flight in the World

Monday, July 26, 2010

This summer, over 40 DC-3/ C-47 aircraft will participate in the last largest formation flight in the world at this year’s EAA AirVenture located at Oshkosh, Wisconsin.  This historic day has been named The Last Time. People from all around the world will have an opportunity to see this large assembly of aircraft together for the last time.  Courtesy Aircraft Sales is proud to announce that we will be participating in this historic flight with our DC-3, N1944H “Spirit of Alaska”.

Our goal is to educate people on this important aircraft, once quoted by Franklin D. Roosevelt as “The aircraft that changed the world.”  We are searching for people who have flown or worked on our aircraft.

The “Spirit of Alaska” has not always been called by that name. Throughout her long life, this DC-3 has performed many different duties and served many people. Originally owned by the United States Army, the DC-3 started its life in 1945 as 45-1108, a C-47B. The next year, it was delivered to the United States Air Force. In March of 1946, it was put in the care of the RFC, Reconstruction Finance Corporation. This corporation was formed to dispose of government surplus materials. With only 35.5 hours, it was flown to Mineola, NY where all military equipment was removed and then repainted in civilian colors. This was the end of her military career. It was immediately sold to a gentleman who wanted to start an airline, but unfortunately, it never took off.

In early 1946, Jack Losse, the Chief Pilot for Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) found the DC-3. He jumped at the opportunity to buy this military aircraft. After it was purchased, he had it converted to a company DC-3 by Aero Trades, Inc. located in Long Island. The DC-3 entered into civilian registration as NC54542 and became the corporate aircraft for CBS.

CBS sold the aircraft in 1948 with only 550 hours. The DC-3 was re-registered as N280M and flew for Outboard and Marine Manufacturing Company (OMC) of Milwaukee, WI from December of 1966 to March 1977.  In 1977, OMC donated the DC-3 to the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) of Franklin, WI. During this time, it was re-registered again as N54542. The DC-3 flew Headquarters personnel, EAA merchandise and later gave scenic rides in Oshkosh, WI.  EAA later sold her to Mike Suzuki of California Air Tours in Burbank, CA. During this time, this aircraft carried thousands of tourists on trips to the Grand Canyon from Burbank, CA piloted by Walter Brubaker and copilot Captain Dan Ried.  This operation ran from 1989 to 1991.

In April of 1995, a Part 121 Airline, Era Classic Airlines purchased the aircraft and renamed her “Spirit of Alaska.”  With approximately 16,500 hours she began to fly sightseeing tours in South-central Alaska. “Spirit of Alaska’s” hostesses were outfitted in 1940’s attire all the way down to seamed stockings and white gloves. Big Band and swing music played while champagne was served.  Even 1940’s news headlines were read over the PA system. After many Alaskan adventures, in 2003 “Spirit of Alaska” was sold and currently resides in Rockford, IL. Currently, the “Spirit of Alaska” has approximately 17,700 hours, and continues to be regularly flown.

Any pictures? Relics? Stories?  If you know anyone or you can help us on our quest and has additional information on our aircraft, please contact our office at your earliest convenience.
Ownership and past N #s of N1944H includes:
United States Air Force (45-1108)
Reconstruction Finance Corporation
Columbia Broadcasting System (NC54542)
Outboard and Marine Manufacturing Company (N280M) Experimental Aircraft Association (N54542)
California Air Tours and
Era Classic Airlines (N1944H)

A little history on THE DC-3
The Grand Old Lady of Aviation

During the time Franklin Delano Roosevelt was serving his first term as President of the United States, corporate officials of the Douglas Corporation in Long Beach, California were diligently working on an airplane that would years later be hailed as “the airplane that changed the world.”  Time has proven how truly successful that effort was with the production of the immortal DC-3. In the U.S., 10,926 DC-3’s were built by Douglas over 2,000 of which are still flying strong today.  American Airlines was the first commercial operator to utilize the DC-3, in 1936. Soon Pan Am and other airlines were pioneering routes in the U.S. as well as Canada and Alaska using this sturdy workhorse, which can land safely on beaches and unimproved strips as well as modern airports.  The DC-3, also known as the C-47 went to war in 1941 serving all allied nations. Many seemingly impossible missions were accomplished with the flexible DC-3. The venerable Grand Old Lady was the first airplane to land at the North Pole and the first to land at the South Pole. Once a member of the 8th Air Force, this Grand Old Lady more than likely took part in D-Day operations with a Troop Carrier Squadron in WWII. Whether saving Guadalcanal during the bleakest days of the war or carrying troops for history’s greatest invasions, the DC-3/C-47 has been an important link to freedom.

An impressive tribute to this airplane was made when Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “The three things that helped win World War II were the jeep, the bazooka, and the DC-3.”

Contact information:

Mark Clark                                  (800) 426-8783
President                                      (815) 229-5112
Courtesy Aircraft Sales                 [email protected]
5233 Falcon Road                        www.courtesyaircraft.com
Rockford, IL 61109 USA

Darcy Kaapke                              (800) 426-8783
Marketing Director                       (815) 229-5112
Courtesy Aircraft Sales                 [email protected]
5233 Falcon Road                        www.courtesyaircraft.com
Rockford, IL 61109 USA