Slow death of a Mustang - Cuban P-51 deteriorating

[JDK]

comments ?

a) It's rare?

b) The P-51D is a type in danger of extinction if this example isn't saved?

c) Cheaper (OK, less expensive) examples can't be found?

Or, actually, none of the above apply?

Given that the P-51D is the most widely preserved / flown and sought after type/model in its class, I can see why it's not on a top level listing for 'rescue'. That said, the owners do seem to be, within the limitations they have, looking after it - proportionately more so than most of us would look after it if we had Cuban-level living conditions. If it were a P-51A, Twin Mustang, P-61, etc, I could see something to get excited about.

When you are out of Mustangs, it'll start to get interesting...

Just a few thoughts...

[AndyG]

comments ?

a) It's rare?

b) The P-51D is a type in danger of extinction if this example isn't saved?

c) Cheaper (OK, less expensive) examples can't be found?

Or, actually, none of the above apply?

Given that the P-51D is the most widely preserved / flown and sought after type/model in its class, I can see why it's not on a top level listing for 'rescue'. That said, the owners do seem to be, within the limitations they have, looking after it - proportionately more so than most of us would look after it if we had Cuban-level living conditions. If it were a P-51A, Twin Mustang, P-61, etc, I could see something to get excited about.

When you are out of Mustangs, it'll start to get interesting...

Just a few thoughts...

Lets send them some funds to fix her up. Anyone game for a donation, I am? I don't suppose the keeper of her is still a dirty 'Commie' now do you all think??

Similarly, I hope the two seat Hawker Fury, the six odd Hawker biplanes and the ultra rare Italian biplanes recently 'liberated' from Iraq/Afghanistan are restored/consolidated/conserved and returned to suitable local museums in the long term future interest of these nations.

If they aren't then serious questions need to be asked......

Comments??

[JDK]

Similarly, I hope the two seat Hawker Fury, the six odd Hawker biplanes and the ultra rare Italian biplanes recently 'liberated' from Iraq/Afghanistan are restored/consolidated/conserved and returned to suitable local museums in the long term future interest of these nations.

If they aren't then serious questions need to be asked......

Comments??

I saw one of the Ro-43 wrecks in the Italian Air Force Museum recently, and the Hawker biplanes are in good hands, IMHO, and also IMHO, their restoration remains more important than the recovery of a semi-wrecked gate guardian P-51D.

I think the Cubans have more important things to do and concern themselves with an old fighter, right now. In the near or longer term future, who knows.

Maybe it could be placed outside a USAF base to rot?

[Andrew Semon]

According to the net "the Cuba's Fuerza Aerea Revolucionaria illegally acquired three ex-civilian Mustangs reputedly being bought in Canada"

This one being ex RCAF 9233 P-51D-30NA 44-74505

[steve dickey]

Well at least in the second picture they are making good use of the actual tie down rings!! Also in the second pic Martin the prop has moved, notice the missing inspection cover now further up. If it doesn't have an engine I would think that prop would be locked in place, but if it does have the engine it would seem its still free?
Just my 4 1/2 cents worth!
Thanks for the photos.

[P51Mstg]

Nothing personal guys, but I hope you understand its in CUBA......

Going there, trying to buy it, or god forbid buying it, or for that matter taking up a collection to preserve it is a BIG NO NO....

Think about watching airplanes through the 3" wide slit window in your cell and finding out that the B-52 will be retired before you get released.

I'd let this one go.........

Mark H

[daveymac82c]

Heck,

myself, or anyone else could do it for you guys. I don't mean to get political, but don't you think the whole "Cuba is black listed" thing is getting a little bit old? It's time to petition the government to lift its embargo.

In a round about way that Mustang could probably be better taken care of.

Hmm.... That Mustang's from Canda, eh?

Cheers,

David

[Jesse C.]

Heck,

myself, or anyone else could do it for you guys. I don't mean to get political, but don't you think the whole "Cuba is black listed" thing is getting a little bit old? It's time to petition the government to lift its embargo.

In a round about way that Mustang could probably be better taken care of.

Hmm.... That Mustang's from Canda, eh?

Cheers,

David

Honestly, I think U.S. Business and Tourism would bring down that wall in a hearbeat!

Look what it did to Russia and China, they can not get enough dollars now!

Really, is Communism that bad now compared to Terrorism? But not to take off on the wrong tangent.

How many other countries that are friendly have birds laying around that could be saved but are not? I once saw some pics of some Spits and Mustangs in a yard in Israel, can they be saved? How many Philipines Mustangs are still on gate duty?

[Swiss Mustangs]

How many Philipines Mustangs are still on gate duty?

actually two... one in fair shape, one in a similar condition like the one in Cuba

[Jesse C.]

Thanks Swiss!

I say we go for the ones in the PI! At least you can climb all over them!!

I wonder if there is anyting laying around the airbases or back roads in these little countries. They did find an ME 109 at a schoolhouse in India, what else could be out there?

[PeterA]

I have it on good authority that this man at the Cuban Air Museum has, when the trade embargo is lifted and it has only been 45 years, plans on a B-24 and a B-17, both looking a bit scruffy in US museums.

He says he will dig out his negatives of the museum exhibits and scan them for posting over the weekend.

PeterA

[jdvoss]

I did see a photo some years ago of a Vought OS2U Kingfisher on display in Havana. It was configured with fixed landing gear and was displayed under a covered shelter.

Can your contact in Cuba verify its existance or condition??

[bdk]

June 2006 photo (not mine):

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Cuba---N ... 1103960/M/

I did see a photo some years ago of a Vought OS2U Kingfisher on display in Havana. It was configured with fixed landing gear and was displayed under a covered shelter.

Can your contact in Cuba verify its existance or condition??

[PeterA]

I have it on good authority that this man at the Cuban Air Museum has, when the trade embargo is lifted and it has only been 45 years, plans on a B-24 and a B-17, both looking a bit scruffy in US museums.

He says he will dig out his negatives of the museum exhibits and scan them for posting over the weekend.

PeterA

Part 1. All images 25 November 1998.

[PeterA]

Part 2.

























PeterA