It was so great to have learned of the news yesterday - a restoration I've been most anticipating seeing completed/flying. Another benchmark in authentic Mustang restorations has been set, and this aircraft will win the awards wherever it shows up, no matter who else does. I'm really looking forward to seeing it with all of the final details applied. So cool to walk up close to the aircraft and see remnants of period-correct Alclad watermarks on the aluminum, all over the exterior (even where there was an attempt to remove them, but, like from the factory, only to a certain extent, leaving traces here and there), and the random mixture/variety of original silver, blue, and yellow rivets. The stencils on the exterior which were applied with ink stamps were applied the same way in this restoration, so they're not perfect, and have various imperfections as they would have. From the very start of the restoration, everything was done to restore it as if it was going right back through the early P-51D-20-NA production line all over again, with every detail exact to its specific production block. Even the paint/primer applications were done as if originally at the factory - many of the internal parts that are primered have streaks in the finish, just as per original, as they were dipped in primer rather than sprayed - many other parts/regions have no primer finish internally at all, as per original. The cockpit interior green paint application wasn't done until after the fuselage was assembled, with all of the individual parts either primered or bare metal, to the point of assembly at the factory at which time the cockpit was painted, which would leave areas where the interior green spray couldn't get to. Furthermore, the bare metal is not polished, but left just as it is new, as it would have from the factory - some panels are more dull than others.
Here's a nice video from the aircraft's first start-up and ground runs from a couple weeks back. I love how giddy the owner Paul Ehlen is upon seeing the aircraft up-close and getting seated in it. He doesn't look the part in his business clothes, but once in his flightsuit and taxiing the aircraft around, it is clearer to see the experienced warbird pilot he is. He used to the be the owner of the P-51D "Little Horse", for several years, which has since belonged to the Texas Flying Legends. He has also been the long-time owner of an AT-6D that happens to be one of the most authentic of any flying today.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwj-66GDS0ABTW, Vlado, if you're viewing this, how about those inner gear doors? : ) 100% authentic, and never seen finished quite like that in a Mustang restoration before.
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