P-51 "Buzzin Cuzzin" question

[Sabremech]

There is a nice article on this Mustang in the latest Warbird Digest. I noticed that this Mustang does not have gun ports in either of it's wings. Anyone know the story of why and when in this airplanes history that they were removed?
Thanks,
David
WHF Maint

[JohnTerrell]

David, the earliest photos I have seen of the aircraft, all the way back to the early-mid 60's (following the aircraft's ANG days and entry into civilian hands), the wings are devoid of gunports, which has remained the case over the last 5-decades throughout all of its transformations. I would imagine it was simply part of the original civilian modifications done to the aircraft, after being sold surplus to Robert Rodman around 1963.

[Sabremech]

Hi John,
I find it interesting that they haven't been reinstalled after all these years in the interest of originality. It's the first Mustang that I've seen without them, besides those racing at Reno.

Thanks,
David

[Jack Cook]

Doc Christgau's P-51D Sierra Sue II doesn't have them either.
But, I'm sure this will change in the near future.

[flyntexn]

David,

We opted not to put the gun blisters back on for a couple of reasons, although as you can see we did add the shackles. During its time at Pacific Fighters, our mission was envisioned as being more heavily cross country oriented, so initially we considered reducing as much drag as possible. However the mission statement changed somewhat, so at some point, it's always possible that we might return gun blisters and stub barrels. John is correct that the "smooth LE" happened sometime in its early civilian life as far as we can tell.

I am happy to report that this airplane flies A LOT, and has been a great source of enjoyment to us not only for the opportunity to fly it, share it with the public, and be its custodians, but, as the article states, to have been united with Ltc's Spengler and Lamb, who each define the term "class."

Kent

[JohnTerrell]

It's a beautiful aircraft, Kent, with an excellent choice of markings - not only doing the aircraft a great service (looking so good!), but honoring those like Bill Spengler and Huie Lamb - very deservedly so!

Always great to hear that the aircraft is flown a lot, too! ; )

[cwmc]

When I was a kid there were a lot of Mustangs without the gun blisters. It was a sign of a "complete" resto in my mind, back then. No warbird schemes, nice looking civil schemes instead and exec interiors with clean wings meant time and money spent.
I appreciate both, even though the pendulum has swung so far warbird that there are many that cannot imagine it being "right" to keep anything of the 60's and 70's.
The ex-Chuck Doyle Mustang in Palm Springs being a perfect example, it is a fully filled airframe with no panel lines and rivets showing and had a full interior. It was painted as Lou VI blue when Pond bought it. The maintenance bunch at PSP revel in removing the interior. In 1969/70 it was the EAA (Oshkosh at Rockford) Grand Champion. Same with the G-58 Bearcat, it was never military and when it first came from Fornof it still had an interior and Lear Jet 8-track player. Now it's blue with stars and bars.
Times change. At least Keck preserved an executive Invader.
Chris...

[RickH]

Putting the G-58 Bearcat in pseudo military colors is so wrong. That aircraft has its own unique history that deserves to be told !

[Sabremech]

Hi Kent,
Thanks for the information and you're dead on with reuniting these machines with the men and women who flew them. We hope to some day find living relation to Capt. Herbert Kolb who our airplane is painted to honor. I found it interesting that "Buzzin Cuzzins" coded HL R and our Mustang "Baby Duck" is coded LH R. Beautiful machine and thanks for filling me in on some more of it's history.

David
WHF Maint

[51fixer]

Putting the G-58 Bearcat in pseudo military colors is so wrong. That aircraft has its own unique history that deserves to be told !

Bob was Ex-Navy though.
He wanted a Bearcat and that was the one that became available.
I have trouble faulting him on that.
It is a cool aircraft and I got to work on it a little when it at Chino.
As much as it was Civil it was made from parts produced for the Military. It was used by a Military contractor to visit military bases.
I would probably paint it the same if it were mine. There was only 2 civil Bearcats IIRC. Not like many would even know.