Warbird Information Exchange

Hi Guys,

I'm hoping some one can help me, i am looking for the current where abouts of A68-1 ( CAC built P51 mustang ). If anyone might know of where she is/has been in the last 10 years that would be great? Cheers.

I thought they all started with A-68-1xx. Didn't know that there was a "-1"

Such as La Pistolera was A68-187, etc....

Mark H

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Fly safe or you get to meet me .......

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45-47=-2

According to the FAA's website, N51WB (44-15757) is still registered to Wiley Sanders Truck Lines Inc, Troy, Alabama.

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Defending Stearmans on WIX since Jeff started badmouthing them back in 2005.

Something interesting is going on with this one. In a previous life it was registered N7773. Most sites show it is currently registered N51WB (BTW... this was the second Mustang to carry this registration). Recently however N7773 popped back up on the register for this airframe. See the history here...
Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - North American A-36 / P-51/F-51 Mustang / P-48 Enforcer, s/n A68-001 RAAF, c/n 1326, c/r N7773

Apparently at one point the airframe adopted the ID of 44-15757. Is it possible the ID of A68-001 was assigned to another airframe? Anyway... the FAA indicates N7773 is registered to an owner in Fresno, CA, and was registered as such in 2007. Does anyone have any photo evidence since 2007 to show it is or is not registered N7773? Photos can be uploaded via the link above.

Mike

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Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

History of A68-1 from ADFserials website:

RAAF Serial: A68-1
Model: CA-17 Mk.20
C/N: 1326 NA110-34366

Shipped to Australia in sets of parts to start the production line.
First CA-17 Mk.20, Delivered 1 AD ex CAC on 04/06/45.
To 1 APU 04/07/45.
First Flight 05/46.
Damaged when tail wheel retracted during landing on 14/12/48.
SOC 31/03/53 Flown from Tocumwal to Emu, South Australia to be used in atomic bomb tests of 10/53.
Identified in reports as AS.6. Only suffered minor damage.
It and 5 others were sold 05/67 by tender to a syndicate of Peter Hookway, Stan Booker and Tony Schwerdt.
Repaired insitu and flown out by Tony Schwerdt to Cooper Pedy on 31/10/67.
Later flown to Parafield.
Unable to gain civil registration in Australia it was exported to USA in 1969.
Flew again 1980 as N7773.
Currently airworthy as N51WB.

I made an error. I failed to note that N7773 was cancelled last September.

All of this discussion does not answer the question... Where is it now?

Mike

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Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

Thanks for all the reply's,

I think you guys are right, it is currently owned by Wiley Sanders. On the Mustangsmustangs website it show the last known activity of her was on the 8/2/14 in flying condition. Would anyone have any idea's on how to get in contact with the owner? I have sent a few emails but with no reply's - as of yet.

Cheers, James.

Hi Mark,

A68-1 was the first CAC built P51 in Australia ( test plane ), it was later used as stationary target for the 1953 atomic bomb test is Emu plains, SA. I attached a video for you of it.

Mustangs at Emu Part 1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8_xQcfls3A


Mustangs at Emu Part 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA1wvAiuj2o


Mustangs At Emu Part 3:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Snhrqd5RT-A

A few photos were posted of this Mustang here: http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... 66&start=0

The Mustang is doing just fine. Although normally only flown once or twice per year, she is always kept in airworthy condition by a dedicated staff and flown by very capable pilots.

If you PM me, I'm happy to forward your info to Mr. Sanders' Chief Pilot.

Ken

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"Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves."