Big Beautiful Doll

[FOTO4]

 

[tigisfat]

Are these your pics? They're great. I wish I had the equipment and talent for that.

:ernae:

 

[JorisVandenBerghe]

Nice work! I'm not into Mustangs (more like Lightnings or Thunderbolts), but I do like Big Beautiful Doll's paint...

Have got a couple of the old girl myself.

 

[harleyman]

Nice Pics .......Love the Mustang !

 

[Wild Bill Kelso]

Great shots there!

Here are mine:

At the Berlin Air Show ILA 2006

On her ferry flight from Duxford, Doll lost her canopy over England but finally made it to Berlin.
Unfortunately, she was grounded for the show. Dunno if her hood ever was found...


In 2008, she arrived completely:

 

[GT182]

Great photos FOTO4.

BBD has been at MAAM's WWII Weekend a few times. I almost think she'll be there again this year but not sure. I do know both Old Crow's and others will be, but haven't heard which ones.

 

[Terry]

I have never seen a plane with a bubble canopy fly with the canopy open before. It would seem to be a big air scoop and would be ripped off. How fast is it possible to fly like that?

 

[Panther_99FS]

Great shots FOTO4!

 

[lifejogger]

Great shots of that P-51. Sounds like she is a world traveler, been at MAAM and the Berlin Air Show.

 

[Bomber_12th]

There are two different P-51D's painted up as "Big Beautiful Doll". The one pictured here is based in England, while there is another based here in the U.S., which is always seen at Oshkosh, and as mentioned, has been to the MAAM show. They feature some differences in the paint work as well. The UK-based example is actually a Commonwealth CA-18 Mk.22, having been originally built in Australia. Rob Davies is the owner/pilot of the UK "BBD" (http://mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/p51survivors/pages/A68-192.php), while Mike Henningsen is the owner/pilot of the US "BBD" (http://mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/p51survivors/pages/44-63634.php). Both are flown quite regularly.

Rob Davies typically lands with the canopy open. Max recommended airspeed for the canopy to be open is 170 mph - same as the gear speed. In typical fashion, once the gear is down and locked, he'll roll the canopy back.

BTW, great photos everyone!