Best P-51 Mustang at Oshkosh question

[dc8jet]

Does anyone know the true identity of the P-51 chosen as Best P-51 at Oshkosh. It is listed as being N5551D but FAA doesn't show that as an active reg. There was a P-51 with that reg but it went to New Zealand and as far as I know it's still there. I am thinking it is N495RB s/n 44-11495.
Can anyone comfirm this? Thanks, Karl

[RMB]

It has been changed. N495RB is gone and N5551D is shown as 44-11495.
If an airplane is de-registered and taken to another country its "N" number is free game. As long as the previous holder dosnt pay the $10.00 a year to the FAA to keep it reserved. I am sure the owner just decided to change from N495RB to N5551D. That isnt a big deal and is about like changing you car plate #'s.

Last edited by RMB on Sun Aug 09, 2009 8:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Sabremech]

Try N551D as that comes up as P-51 44-14826.
David

[richkolasa]

Are we talking about "Little Rebel" here?

Rich