P-51C 42-103293 (N24177) to become N251MX

Sun Jul 25, 2004 1:58 pm

Emmmmm Posted without comment on the history of this airframe

You can work it out yourself!

http://www.mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/su ... 3293.shtml

Then

http://162.58.35.241/acdatabase/NNumSQL ... rtxt=24177

Note N24177 will become N251MX

Then search for 42-10329 on here!

http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/359thfg.jsp?offset=450

Tue Jul 27, 2004 6:53 pm

Very confusing aspect of this aircraft - we have seen pictures such as the one you linked to, showing the dual greenhouse canopy configuration. Yet the picture in Classic Wings, just arrived, shows a single canopy config. Anybody have the details (apologies if this has been covered elsewhere - haven't been able to read WIX in a few weeks).

Rob Coussens

Wed Jul 28, 2004 7:48 am

Hi Rob,

I noticed the exact same thing. The picture in Classic Wings is definitely of the new P-51C in a single place canopy configuration, as compared to the dual position canopy installation as seen in the photos on the MustangsMustangs site.

I am confused too...........

Over to the people that know.........

Steve (who's heading out the door for Oshkosh to verify the situation personally.....if it does indeed make an Oshkosh appearance)

Wed Jul 28, 2004 8:19 am

Its a convertable...flown in both configurations, from what I understand it takes about 3 hours to convert from a single canopy to a dual.

Jim

Wed Jul 28, 2004 8:57 am

Aaaahhh, thanks Jim.

I guess I should've assumed that. I appreciate the info, and can't wait to see it!

Have a GREAT day!

Steve :wink:

Wed Jul 28, 2004 11:04 am

Its a convertable...flown in both configurations, from what I understand it takes about 3 hours to convert from a single canopy to a dual.

Now that's just cool!

I have to hand it to Mr. Muszala for engineering something as unique as that. Any clues as to how the swap works exactly?

Wed Jul 28, 2004 11:39 am

The give-away would probably be that if you look closely at the photograph in Classic Wings, that it seems as if the spine is straight instead of having a slight curve. Somehow it looks less graceful (the spine that is, not the Mustang, it looks superb).

Can we have a squadron of these please?

Cees

Wed Jul 28, 2004 5:25 pm

Wow, that is pretty amazing. I noticed also that there is a horizontal line extending back at the bottom of the canopy. Perhaps one of the guys who makes it to OSH can tell us more.

Also, you have to give these guys credit for not claiming that the airplane is a restoration. Using a new designation, TP-51C, that did not exist before 2004, makes that pretty clear. Pretty classy in my opinion.

Rob