A free historical event highlighting the importance of minorities and women in the U.S. Air Force during World War II has come to the Meadville Airport.

Aviation Legends: American History Expo aims to teach people about the Women Airforce Service Pilots (W.A.S.P.S.) and the famous all-black fighter pilot squadron, the Tuskegee Airmen.

"What we hope is that our six principles...are things they take away [from today] and help them apply in their own lives," said Chris Allen, curator and traveling exhibit director with the Commemorative Air Force Rise Above project. "Everyone is going to face obstacles. These are wonderful examples because the obstacles were real specific and real obvious and they didn't knuckle under them. They didn't ask for excuses. They excelled."

The event features a rare, authentic P-51 C Mustang, painted in resemblance of the Tuskegee airmen's famous red tail livery.

"Every pilot dreams of flying a Mustang," said pilot Doug Rozendaal. "And to be able to actually do that is really a thrill. You know, I grew up as a farm kid in Iowa looking up at airplanes, hoping for me to be able to fly an airplane like this is a dream come true."

Aviation Legends is free to the public and is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Wednesday through Friday at North Coast Flight School located at 16469 Morrison Rd, Meadville, PA 16335.