"Shipped From Guatemala"

[Bomber_12th]

Here are some screenshots that are reminiscent of 1972, roughly the year in which the Guatemalan AF Mustangs were sold to Don Hull and flown back to the U.S., including 44-74452, otherwise known as "FAG 366". As part of the sale, the aircraft were all de-armed, civilian avionics were fitted, the national markings painted over, and the aircraft were all registered with N-numbers - "366" becoming N74190. The aircraft, by this point (1972), and in order, had been in outdoor USAAF/USAF storage for 5-years following manufacture in 1945, 8-years of service with the RCAF, 1-year being owned by a private individual, 3-years of outdoor storage waiting to be scrapped, and 10-years of active service with the Guatemalan AF - it had certainly had its fair share of use.

Quite amazingly, when the Guatemalan AF purchased its F-51's in the early 60's, the fighter they were operating up until that point was the Boeing P-26!

 

[Bomber_12th]

Today, the aircraft is of course immaculately restored, and is one of the most WWII-military-authentic examples flying, having been restored over a 4-6 year period by the experts at Midwest Aero Restorations. Certain details of this restoration had not been done/seen before on previous warbird restorations, and are now a standard amongst the most authentic of warbird restorations in the years since.

The aircraft is owned by Bruce 'Doc' Winters, who also, more recently, has an original Bf 109G-6 (complete) which is under restoration, to fly, at Midwest Aero right now. This particular aircraft, #410077, was recovered from Lake Swiblo on the Russian/Estonian border in 1990. In the Spring of 1944, the aircraft was part of IV/JG54, and was being flown by Josef Groene on a mission providing cover for retreating German troops, when it was hit by anti-aircraft fire. Groene made a belly-landing on the then ice-covered lake, with very little damage at all to the aircraft - and there it remained, sinking to the bottom of the lake when the ice melted. The project has two DB 605 engines, with one already overhauled/ready for use, complete with all accessories. When completed, hopefully we'll be treated to the sight and sound of this aircraft joining "Happy Jack's Go Buggy" at air show stops and displays.

Note that the aircraft still retains its N-number from 1972-onward.

 

[huub vink]

Wow that must have been quite a shock, stepping from a Peashooter into an F-51

Cheers,
Huub

 

[Sundog]

I wouldn't mind seeing a Peashooter from John after he finishes giving us the best FSX mid engine propjob ever!

 

[Yob]

Very nice, i particularly like your texture work..

Eli`Jah

 

[TuFun]

Wow John, everything to the model, paint, overall atmosphere of these pics are spectacular!!! :salute:

 

[Bomber_12th]

I wouldn't mind seeing a Peashooter from John after he finishes giving us the best FSX mid engine propjob ever!

I'll sign up for that! The Peashooter is one of my favorite aircraft - an interest which was passed down to me from my dad (and having grown up with a large-scale P-26 hanging from my dad's office ceiling).

Regarding the Guatemalan Peashooters - fortunately they served long enough so that by the time they were retired they were viewed by some as being worthwhile to save for future generations. Both of the only two known original surviving examples today came from the Guatemalan AF, being retired in 1957 and brought back to the U.S. (having originally been provided to the Guatemalan AF in 1943). One went to Ed Maloney (on display today at the Air Museum Planes of Fame Chino), and the other went to the Smithsonian (on display today at the Udvar-Hazy Center). The example at Planes of Fame has flown, on and off again, since originally being restored in the early 60's, and then more recently just several years ago (and has been flying regularly again ever since 2006). When the POF Peashooter was stripped of paint several years ago for its latest restoration, it still had its former FAG markings below the paint from its previous/early restoration of the 1960's. I believe I read somewhere, at some point, that there may still be another Peashooter and/or significant Peashooter parts still residing in Guatemala.

Thank you all for the compliments on the screenshots!