The Erickson Aircraft Collection P-51D Mustang was built under license to North American in 1944 by Australia’s Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) in Melbourne, Australia. The aircraft participated in Atomic Bomb testing by the Australians after WW II and served 10 years as a target tow plane before falling into private ownership, being acquired by the museum in 1983.

Pilot Bio

Mike Oliver, Warbird Pilot and Aviation enthusiast, is the General Manager of the Erickson Aircraft Collection in Madras Oregon. Mike began his love of flying at a very young age, getting his pilots license at the age of 17. Mike went on to get his Instrument, single engine, multi engine and commercial ratings as well as flying different types of WWII Aircraft including the PT-17 Stearman, T-6 Texan, Grumman FM2 Wildcat, AD4 Skyraider, Bellanca Aircruiser, TBM Avenger, F4U Corsair, SBD Dauntless, P-40 Kittyhawk, P-47 Thunderbolt, F6F Hellcat, F8FBearcat and the P-51D Mustang.

Mike became General Manager of the Tillamook Air Museum, a private collection of WWII Aircraft, owned by Jack Erickson in 2007. It was there that he was able to nurture his passion for aviation. With warbirds at his fingertips and open skies above, Mike was able to foster and achieve his dream of being a Warbird Pilot. Erickson moved the private collection to Central Oregon in 2014 and it is there where the skies have come alive. Soaring with the Warbirds is just one of the programs Mike has created, allowing the public to purchase rides in the vintage aircraft and experience the thrill and the history of a WWII Pilot. The Erickson Airshow Collection travels to many airshows within the United States and Canada sharing the preservation of these rare aircraft. Mike is also a pilot for The Navy Legacy Flight Foundation which showcases the time-honored service and sacrifice of those who have flown in defense of our great nation. This weekend Mike is here sharing his talents doing Living History Flight Experiences in the P-51 Mustang.

Look for him before and after each show.