P-51D “Wee Willy II” Race 0

Robert Patterson flew “Wee Willy II” as Race 0 in the 2016 Reno Air Races where he placed 3rd in the Unlimited Silver Race at an average speed of 351.182 mph. “Wee Willy II”, NL7715C, had a previous career in racing as “Miss RJ”, “Roto Finish Special” and finally “Red Baron” which culminated in a world speed record followed by a near-fatal crash at Reno before being rebuilt by the Planes of Fame Museum at Chino, CA as a stock P-51D. This true “phoenix” of a P-51 represents Lt. Calvert L. Williams’ aircraft in the 357th Fighter Group, 8th Army Air Force.