I
have been fortunate enough
over the years to have seen many P-51 Mustangs. Here is a small
sampling of the wild ponies that I have seen. From what I have read,
there are approximately 280 surviving airframes with about 150 of them
flyable.
This
is David Price's P-51D
"Cotton Mouth" (N151DP). This airplane is quite well travelled. It was
assigned to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in the 1950s and the El
Salvadoran Air Force in the late 1960s before ending up back in the US
on the racing circuit.
This Mustang is another that was part
of the RCAF in the 1950s. It has
been through a number of owners over the years before becoming
"Checkertail Clan" (N1451D). It is my opinion that this is one of the
prettiest Mustangs around.
This is one of the rare Mustangs that have no name or nose art
(N514DK). This one is based out of Van Nuys. Another good looking
Mustang.
Here are N1451D and N514DK side by side at the Camarillo Air Show in
2004.
One of the more famous Mustangs in the region, "Man 'O War" (N44727).
It has been wearing the name and registration since 1975. It was
rescued from the Universal Studios lot in 1970.
"Red Dog XII" (N334FS) flew for the first time in these colors in 2002.
This one had served in the Guatamalen Air Force at one time. With the
markings of the 334th FS, it would have been in the same squadron as
"Man 'O War".
NOTE: These image are NOT public domain, there are all
copyrighted. See copyright notice below.
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