Civilian P-51 Mustang Questions Answered

[John L. Dienst]

Gentlemen:

I was sincerely sorry to learn about the passing of Mr. Richard C. Phillips. I had the good fortune to spend quality time with Dick during my formative years as an aviation photographer, aviation historian, as well as P-51 Mustang Specialist. During the early 1980's, Dick was helpful by providing me with information, when Mr. Daniel P. Hagedorn and I were writing our book that is entitled, "North American F-51 Mustangs In Latin American Air Force Service" that was published by Aerofax. Please be informed that during 2012, I decided to write an all inclusive illustrated history of every North American P-51 Mustang on the civil registries of the world. This was the project that Mr. Phillips did not complete. I'm happy to report that I've finished the manuscript that is entitled, "Last of the Wild Horses". This huge endeavor (over 500 pages with 40 pages of bibliography) is dedicated to Dick. In lieu of his passing, I've decided to try to fill the gap of information that was created by Dick's death. I'm offering to try to answer any questions your members may have about civilian P-51 Mustangs. In doing so, I'll be happy to share portions of my manuscript. Within reason, I'm also offering to open up my huge photo collection to your membership. Please contact me at the following E-mail Address: dienst.john@gmail.com.

John L. Dienst

[Sopwith]

That’s very kind. Thank you John.

[Cubs2jets]

John,

I'm looking for civilian P-51 rear seat pictures - any, but Miss America in particular - do you have any?

Thanks,

C2j

[warbirdfinder]

John,

In 1963 I flew into Lewiston Airport in Idaho a few times and sitting on the ramp where two P-51's. One yellow and I can't remember the color of the other, maybe red. Parked side by side, one pointed North and the other South. The story I heard was the owner had bought them for $5,000 each from Canada. Any idea what happened to them?

[sledge39]

.
I too flew into Lewiston Airport (LWS) in June 1963. Only one P-51 there at the time. That's the airplane that became Clay Lacy's Orchid racer only a year later. (seen at Reno Sept. 1964)

History: http://www.warbirdregistry.org/p51regis ... 74423.html

[Michel Lemieux]

Now that is one of the funkiest pic of a Mustang I ever saw!!!!!!

So cool....

What is the relation to ''Lear''?

[Cubs2jets]

Clay Lacey, owner of this Mustang and United Airlines Captain, was a preeminent seller and user of Learjets. His company, Clay Lacey Aviation, developed the "Astrovision" camera system for the Learjet and most of the Boeing and McDonnell Douglas inflight airliner pics are/were done by the company. The infamous pictures of the XB-70/F-104 mid-air were filmed by Clay Lacey from a Learjet.

C2j