HJGB-Request photos

[O.P.]

Hi All!

I got to go up to Danville with Chuck Wahl to do some of the Lords work last week, and I got a chance to take a long look at HJGB. Our Host/Guide for the week was Gary Day and he was kind enough, well patient enough , to show me the plane a couple three times and answer the same questions I'm sure he's answered about a zillion times already. I know it's been said before, but Holy Shii,,,,Unbelievable, I want a ride like that when I grow up. Thanks Chuck for having me along on the warbird experience of my lifetime, and thanks Gary, and everyone at MidWest Aero for all of your help and kindness.

A couple things I learned, It is going to Reno, and, The cross on the side indicates that an internal fuel tank is installed.

Here are all of the HJGB pictures I took, including the requests posted on the last HJGB thread.





























[img][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v350/bildo_maroon/HappyJacks/HPIM0769.jpg[/img]

[spookythecat]

I hope you wiped up that drool spot on the cockpit floor

Great detail pics, thanks for sharing.

I love how the stenciling is painted over.

[CWBuff]

Man, you hear all sortsa stuff about how they paid great attention to detail, but it's nice to finally see it in images.
Wonderful photos... as a modeler, researcher and general nut for things with wings, I wanna say thanks a bunch
for taking the time to take these and post them!


Fade to Black...

[Jesse C.]

Thanks O.P.! Those are some great reference shots!

I am sure it won't be long before the Military Model type magazines come around to take reference shots because this bird is amazing!

[Ken]

Just trying to understand the chronology of the paint.... I know a ton of effort was put into the markings ... is it correct to assume that the OD upper surfaces were sprayed after D-Day? That's the look of the soft spray edges on the OD.

Second, did this Mustang unit not use the white (black on NMF) ID stripes on the wings and horizontal stab?

Not questioning the restoration, just wanting to learn the markings.

Ken

[Hal B]

Great pictures, thanks for posting!

[Jack Cook]

Regards in the first photo. Now I can see why Mike asked me for photos of the nose stencils'

I know a ton of effort was put into the markings ... is it correct to assume that the OD upper surfaces were sprayed after D-Day? That's the look of the soft spray edges on the OD.

Yes, they 20th FG crew that painted the OD just hard it with the paint gun.
They didn't mask it. Also sa few have asked about the invasion stripes since the 20th FG got their P-51D in July/Aug. Their initial alotment was made up of new and combat flown a/c with quite a few from the 363rd FG I'm told.

[corsairboss]

That is with out a doubt "The BEST" Restoration I have ever saw. Hats off to Mike and the crew for an EXCELLENT JOB....!!!!!

I look forward to seeing that Mustang in person.
***** Again... Excellent Work..!! *****

[Obergrafeter]

I've space in my hangar cleaned out if the owner needs some place to keep that rascal! Just bring it on down to 5c1 and put her in.

[Lynn Allen]

I've space in my hangar cleaned out if the owner needs some place to keep that rascal! Just bring it on down to 5c1 and put her in.

Another throw down hand here, just move it over to Wayne's and have them UPS the trophy to them unless the dark horse shows up...

Lynn

[Ken]

Did the original P-51D HJGB have the dorsal fin fillet from the factory? If not, do we know if it was added later? And no - I don't want Mike to remove this one.

Kinda neat thinking that JB might tho ...

[Jack Cook]

The original was accepted by the group without it but was later put on along with the piano keys.

[Django]

GORGEOUS!

There IS one thing that isn't right (and I am 99% sure of it), that even the most die hard serial number counter probably wouldn't notice... so there is room for improvement on the next one.

[Jack Cook]

There IS one thing that isn't right

No tuft of hair and skin on the canopy frame
Jack I. scalped himself closing the canopy when he picked up Duane Kelso after he was shot down1

[Django]

YIKES!

But that's not it.