Ford Mustang at EAA Oshkosh honors F-35 fighter

Corrections & Clarifications: An earlier version of this story reported that the F-35 is grounded. Lockheed Martin, maker of the plane, says the grounding order has been lifted

The real F-35 Lightning II fighter jet may have been grounded, but the Ford Mustang version is just taking off.

As it does every year, Ford has created a special paint job for a Mustang to be auctioned off at the Experimental Aircraft Association's annual gathering at Oshkosh, Wis. They are always painted to match a famous military aircraft, present or past. Proceeds from the auction of the car go to support a program that offers introductory flights for teenagers in hopes it will foster an interest in aviation.

This year, the paint job goes to the Air Force's and Navy's latest fighter, the F-35. It's a special year because the Mustang is all new for 2015.

"Just as the F-35 was designed with unprecedented capabilities and versatility in mind, we felt it would be a natural fit to pair with the all-new 2015 Mustang," said Edsel B. Ford II, a member of the Ford Board of Directors.

He says Lockheed Martin, maker of the F-35, not only supported the vehicle builds, but is bringing an F-35 Cockpit Demonstration System, plus several test pilots, to the Ford Hangar.

The F-35 was due to participate in the big air show in Farnborough, England, earlier this month, but was grounded due to safety concerns after an engine fire. Lockheed Martin says the grounding order was lifted earlier this week.

Here, verbatim, is how the EAA describes past Mustangs created for the Oshkosh show:

•2008 – Mustang AV8R, with cues from the F-22 "Raptor," which helped introduce the glass-roof canopy and delivered a record auction contribution of $500,000.

•2009 – The AV-X10 "Dearborn Doll" Mustang was crafted in honor of World War II aircraft.

•2010 – Two automotive icons – the late Carroll Shelby, a former U.S. Air Force flight instructor, and Jack Roush, longtime P-51 pilot – collaborated for the first time to create the SR-71 Blackbird Mustang inspired by the legendary reconnaissance jet.

•2011 – The Blue Angels Mustang celebrated 100 years of United States naval aviation.

•2012 – The Red Tails Mustang paid homage to the Tuskegee Airmen, the courageous squadron of P-51 Mustang pilots who were the United States' first African-American military airmen.

•2013 – The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Edition Mustang celebrated the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team.