The “Class of ‘45’s” origins are simple. While watching practice at the Wings Over North Georgia airshow in October of 2013, pilots Jim Tobul and Scott Yoak were discussing the USAF’s Heritage and U S Navy’s Legacy flights. Jim, owner of the F4U-4 Corsair “Korean War Hero”, and Scott, owner of the P-51D Mustang “Quick Silver” started talking about doing a formation flight of their own to honor the service personnel who flew and maintained these legendary American fighters. Both aircraft were the pinnacle of military technology at the time, technology that helped win the war in the European and Pacific Theaters in World War Two, and went on to continue the defense of freedom in the Korean War. Both the “Korean War Hero” and “Quick Silver” were built in 1945. From this landmark year we present to you the “Class of ‘45”.
SCOTT 'SCOOTER' YOAK
Scott is a 2008 graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach Campus with a major in Aviation Maintenance Science and a minor in Air Traffic Management. While attending school at ERAU, Scott obtained his Commercial Single and Multi Engine Land, Single Engine Sea, Flight Instructor, and Airframe and Powerpant Mechanic. In between all of the school flying, he built hours by banner towwing and instructing in the family T-6 Texan before checking out in the P-51 at the age of 20. After Graduation, Scooter moved back to West Virginia, obtained his Inspection Authorization, and has picked up the family restoration and fabrication business. He currently holds a Surface Level Aerobatic waiver in the P-51 and performs in dozens of shows a year.
JIM 'TORC' TOBUL
Jim Tobul is the man behind the stick in “Korean War Hero,” but rather than the owner, he considers himself more the caretaker of this beautiful warbird and her storied history. An avid pilot for over 40 years, Jim takes great pride in carrying the legacy of the veteran Corsair to airshows all over North America. He lives in Jackson, WY. Jim began flying at the age of 9 years old flying his dad’s Stinson 108 and acquired his pilot’s license in the mid ‘70’s. His dad purchased a 1943 North American SNJ-4 in 1980 and Jim started to fly that plane in 1981. Since that time, Jim has flown many different Warbirds such as the B-25, T-28, L-5, B-17, P-51, F-18 Super Hornet, PBY-5 and others. Currently, Jim flies his Mitsubishi MU-2 Solitaire all over the US and has flown this type since 1987.
