Bomber_12th
SOH-CM-2025
Here's another feature on a variant included in Warbirdsim's P-51D Restored Part 2, and one of my favorites.
P-51D-30-NT 45-11495, came off of the Dallas production line in 1945, far too late to see action in WWII, and was produced for the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Going straight into storage, the aircraft would eventually be flown for the first time with the RNZAF, at Ardmore in August, 1951. With the aircraft activated, it served with the Central Flying School. The aircraft went to 75 Squadron in July of 1952, and then served with 2 Squadron from June 1953 to November 1955. As with a number of the other RNZAF Mustangs, the aircraft was offered for sale by the New Zealand government by the end of the 1950's, and this aircraft, or the remains there of (various RNZAF Mustangs had their wings cut off for transportation), ended up at the RNZAF Museum. The aircraft was then obtained by Philip Warner in the UK, as a restoration project, with a nearly complete fuselage to work from, though no wings. In about 2004, Mustang owner/restorer Bob Baker in the US purchased the project, commissioned a new set of wings to be manufactured, and in 2009 it was complete, registered N5551D. Painted in the authentic markings of "Little Rebel", the 352nd FG aircraft that Lt. Gen. Charles “Buck” Pattillo flew at the end of WWII, the aircraft features a great many details that bring the aircraft right back to 1945.
Note variations within the various panels, and bright lines of acid etching - a process as originally done during WWII production, to clean the metal before spot-welding.
Note how flat the far edge of the top of the cowling appears from this angle.
P-51D-30-NT 45-11495, came off of the Dallas production line in 1945, far too late to see action in WWII, and was produced for the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Going straight into storage, the aircraft would eventually be flown for the first time with the RNZAF, at Ardmore in August, 1951. With the aircraft activated, it served with the Central Flying School. The aircraft went to 75 Squadron in July of 1952, and then served with 2 Squadron from June 1953 to November 1955. As with a number of the other RNZAF Mustangs, the aircraft was offered for sale by the New Zealand government by the end of the 1950's, and this aircraft, or the remains there of (various RNZAF Mustangs had their wings cut off for transportation), ended up at the RNZAF Museum. The aircraft was then obtained by Philip Warner in the UK, as a restoration project, with a nearly complete fuselage to work from, though no wings. In about 2004, Mustang owner/restorer Bob Baker in the US purchased the project, commissioned a new set of wings to be manufactured, and in 2009 it was complete, registered N5551D. Painted in the authentic markings of "Little Rebel", the 352nd FG aircraft that Lt. Gen. Charles “Buck” Pattillo flew at the end of WWII, the aircraft features a great many details that bring the aircraft right back to 1945.
Note variations within the various panels, and bright lines of acid etching - a process as originally done during WWII production, to clean the metal before spot-welding.
Note how flat the far edge of the top of the cowling appears from this angle.
