Mission

    We at the Pennington P-51 Memorial are dedicated to keeping the story of Leland Pennington and his fellow Tuskegee Airmen alive, flying. 

    In 2010, the effort began with the intent to find a local Tuskegee Airmen connection to Rochester, NY, for a local aviation museum. Leland Pennington’s name was discovered, and what followed has become a passion project. At the outset, little was known about Leland. Now, through years of digging and research technology developments, so much has been learned. Leland Pennington’s family, both local to Rochester and from afar have been found and are now part of our team. Countless presentations have been given, to tell the story of the Tuskegee Airmen and Leland Pennington. Today, we are in a great position to take the next step in our memorial to Leland, a flying tribute.

Leland Pennington in Ramitelly, Italy

    When Leland’s name and basic info about his MIA status were first discovered, there had been plans to somehow organize a search-party over in the Mediterranean, in an effort to find him and his P-51 ‘Lucy Gal.’ In the years since then, though certainly not an impossible proposition (“never say never”), this has become a longer-range goal. As more information has been learned about what happened to Leland on that final mission, and also considering the logistics of such a search, we have a new mission to help Leland and ‘Lucy Gal’ fly again.

Leland Pennington (Left) with Crew Chief & P-51 (possibly 'Lucy Gal')

    We are now planning to build an airworthy replica of the P-51, and fly it in the colors of Leland Pennington’s P-51B Mustang ‘Lucy Gal.’ Once restored, ‘Lucy Gal’ will participate in fly-in events and airshows.

    We will fly a demonstration featuring flight maneuvers used by the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II, while a narrator will tell their story, along with Leland’s, during the act. This P-51 'Lucy Gal' act will also share the Tuskegee legacy at each show that it flies in.

Teaching young aviation fans about Leland & the Tuskegee Airmen

    Our Mustang will also fly as a tribute to two other local Western NY P-51 Pilots from WWII. Lt. Leonard B. Fuller, of Linden, NY, was lost to enemy flak over Germany on 7/7/44 while flying his P-51D "Myrt II." Elmer Pankratz, of Rochester, NY, is 101. He flew the Mustang as a tactical reconnaissance pilot during the War, and still tells his story to this day. 2nd Lt. Gordon H. Root, of Victory, NY, was lost on 11/26/43 while ferrying a P-51 over Rochester when it experienced a mechanical issue. Along with Leland, we'd like to honor all of these brave men with an airworthy P-51, bearing the colors of the ships they flew into combat.

Lt. Leonard B. Fuller with his P-51 "Myrt II"

Elmer Pankratz sitting in the P-51 "Quicksilver," Geneseo Airshow 2024

2nd Lt. Gordon H. Root

    'Lucy Gal' will participate in the EAA Young Eagles program, to give kids their first taste of aviation via an airplane ride. Not only do we want to tell the 'Red Tails’ story, we also want to inspire others to fly, just as they did. The P-51 replica will serve as the centerpiece of the soon-to-be built Tuskegee Airmen display, at the National Warplane Museum in Geneseo, New York. It will motivate, educate, and commemorate this brave group of men and women.

Family of Leland Pennington, accepting his Congressional Gold Medal Award, 2016

    April 21st, 2025 will mark 80 years since Leland went Missing In Action. Our team truly feels that the replica P-51 ‘Lucy Gal’ is the perfect tool to keep the story of Leland Pennington and the Tuskegee Airmen flying. The time is now. With your help, we will make this new mission a success.