P-51D-20 44-74829 was originally built at Inglewood, CA and delivered to the USAF on July 3, 1945. After a period of service with both the USAF and Royal Canadian Air Force it became a civiian aircraft in 1959. Previous registrations are RCAF 9265, N8675E, N169D & N769D. The aircraft was original brought to New Zealand by Sir Tim Wallis in 1984, and first flew there in 1985. Eventually the aircraft passed through the hands of the NZ Historic Aircraft Trust, and finally to current owner Graham Bethell in 1996. The aircraft's colour scheme is that of NZ2415, the aircraft of Squadron Leader Ray Archibald, the Commanding Officer of 3 (Canterbury) Squadron of the New Zealand Territorial Air Force. Repaint of the Shockwave WWII Mustang by Jan Kees Blom, based on paintkit by John Terrell.
by jankees (2007-12-09 01:41:13)
by jankees (2007-12-09 01:41:13)
