STEVE LEWIS/Durango Herald - John Early, right, prepares to fly his P-51 Mustang in the company of flight instructor Mike Schlarb on Saturday morning at the Durango-La Plata County Airport. The airplane is one of 123 in the United States, according to a registry.
STEVE LEWIS/Durango Herald - John Early, top left, talks about his P-51 Mustang on Saturday morning at the Durango-La Plata County Airport.
STEVE LEWIS/Durango Herald - John Early said the "checker tail clan" paint scheme on the tail of the plane originates from a fighter group in the Mediterranean theater during World War II. "Herky Green, who the plane's dedicated to, was the top ace in the Mediterranean," Early said.
STEVE LEWIS/Durango Herald - John Early prepares to take off in his P-51 Mustang on Saturday morning at the Durango-La Plata County Airport.
STEVE LEWIS/Durango Herald - John Early prepares to take off in his P-51 Mustang on Saturday morning at the Durango-La Plata County Airport.
STEVE LEWIS/Durango Herald - John Early said the "checker tail clan" paint scheme on the tail of the plane originates from a fighter group in the Mediterranean theater during World War II.
STEVE LEWIS/Durango Herald - John Early prepares to take off in his P-51 Mustang on Saturday morning at the Durango-La Plata County Airport.
STEVE LEWIS/Durango Herald - John Early and flight instructor Mike Schlarb fly Early's P-51 Mustang on Saturday morning at the Durango-La Plata County Airport. The airplane is one of 123 in the United States, according to a registry.