Special-Edition Mustang Honors RAF’s U.S. Pilots in WWII

A special-edition Ford Mustang GT paying tribute to American fighter pilots who served in the Royal Air Force during World War II debuted at the U.K.’s Goodwood Festival of Speed over the weekend.

The one-of-a-kind Mustang takes inspiration from the RAF Eagle Squadrons that flew over the fields of Goodwood, 65 miles (105 km) southwest of London, nearly 80 years ago.

The squadrons included American volunteer pilots who fought in the skies over northern Europe, including the British coast and France, before the U.S. entered the war. Goodwood’s RAF Westhampnett base eventually hosted U.S. squadrons.

The Eagle Squadron Mustang GT was piloted up the festival’s hill climb by world champion drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr. before going on display at the festival.

Created by Ford Performance and Gittin’s Mustang RTR Vehicles in the U.S., it features a 700-hp, 5.0L V-8 with a Ford Performance supercharger, RTR carbon-fiber wide-body kit and Tactical Performance suspension package.

After its world debut at the festival, the Mustang will head to the Experimental Aircraft Assn.’s largest fundraiser, The Gathering, to be held July 26 during EAA’s AirVenture event in Oshkosh, WI. There the car will be auctioned to support the EAA’s youth education programs.

Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Eagle Squadron Mustang GT.