Warbird Information Exchange

It's similar to the Mustang issue...All Superbirds are of the Road Runner body, but with a different engine, different suspension, etc. The Superbird is far rarer and desireable. Same goes of the '69 Charger and Daytona.

Hence the heretical idea of "converting" a P-51A into a B, C, or D.

How much of the "A" was left when Moon Spillers built it up originally? From what I seem to hear, it's mostly "D" parts with an "A" front end and Data Plate.
Is this true?
Anybody have the definitive answer on the percentages?
Jerry

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

Well, according to an old Warbirds International article on the restoration the fuselage (and tail feathers I assume) as well as the wing came from a D model. All the cowlings were purchased from someone converting an A model to a B model which, again I assume, must have been John Paul. Lastly the canopy was NOS from somewhere. So, aside from the data plate and possibly some fittings and whatnot it does not appear that much of what came off the mountain is flying in "Polar Bear". I would be interested in learning what original A model parts may be on the airplane beyond the cowlings and canopy as well.

PS - I also wonder if the cowlings had to be modified to fit the deeper D model fuselage of if the fuselage itself was changed to match up to the cowlings?

And here she is...

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Neal Nurmi

---Wingman Photo---

Randy , actually the engines & suspension of the Superbirds & Daytonas was the same as the H/D Hi-Po option offered on all B-bodys. It was nearly all just different panels on the cars.

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Martin
Wide open & turning left.

Just the same, the GTX was different than the Roadrunner was different than the Superbird...just as all the models of the P-51 are still P-51s with different flavors of engine, cockpit, armament, etc.

It's still a valid analogy, I think.