This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
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Mystery Mustang

Wed Mar 28, 2007 9:52 am

I was sent this photo and asked to ID it.
I have no clue. Do any of you?
Image

Wed Mar 28, 2007 9:57 am

Sadly, no longer with us...

http://www.mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/su ... 3027.shtml

Wed Mar 28, 2007 10:43 am

also featured on my website....

http://www.swissmustangs.ch/59692.html

(scroll down to "Mustang Lost")


The only P-51 Mustang ever to have received Swiss civil registration so far, was this beauty. P-51D-25-NT 44-73027, was a RCAF veteran that had seen many owners in the USA and later France before arriving in Switzerland. Here it received Swiss registration HB-RCW in July 1998, but sadly it crashed on September 3rd, 1998 in the Swiss Mountains on a ferry flight over the Alps to attend an Air Show in southern Switzerland. The pilot (a very experienced professional pilot [chief pilot of Swiss Air Ambulance] and famous aerobatics pilot), and his son [also a certified pilot] were killed instantly and the a/c was totally destroyed. Cause has been determined as follows: due to bad weather, coupled with fading daylight (thus causing time-pressure), the conditions caused disorientation plus deviation from flight path, and while trying to do a 180° turn in a pocket valley, they went into a high speed stall and hit ground.
The pilot had done many great performances in the other Swiss based P-51D ('Double Trouble Two, N51EA) but this was his first flight in HB-RCW...


Martin
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