Ken Dahlberg's P-51B Shillelaugh returning to the air

[JohnTerrell]

The first photo in Mark's post isn't the same aircraft as seen in the second - the second one is the one which will be restored. "Shillalah" was an earlier P-51B that came from the factory in OD/grey, where as "Shillelaugh" came a bit later, bare-metal from the factory. The nose color on "Shillelaugh" is black, originating as part of the same 'IFF' markings applied at depot-level when the black bands were also painted on the wings and tail surfaces. In the moving footage posted by AirCorps Aviation of "Shillelaugh", you can also see that the left-side canopy frame is painted olive drab despite the rest of the aircraft coming from the factory in bare metal, which seems to have been common among a number of bare-metal B/C production, including in photos of a factory-fresh example. This is believed to have been a result of quite a number, perhaps a few hundred, B/C-model left-side canopy frame assemblies having already been manufactured and painted OD prior to the switchover to bare metal B/C production.

There are six known early-model P-51 restoration projects at this time (besides the Collings Foundation's re-restored TP-51C 'The Stars Look Down', which is nearly completed):

P-51A 43-6178 - Kermit Weeks (wings configured as NA-91 with cannons)
P-51B 42-106602* - Wings of the North (*I believe that to be the correct serial, but may be wrong)
P-51B 43-12112 - Fagen Fighters WWII Museum
P-51B 2925* - Warren Pietsch (*unique serial number assigned in 1948 - restored combination P-51B/P-51D)
P-51C 42-103740 - Brent Hisey
Mustang Mk.III (P-51C) FB206 - Pacific Fighters

[Mark Allen M]

Yep!!! I was too cryptic. Those two P-51 photos I posted are not the same airplane.

[JimH]

Ken flew with Rick Sharpe in Betty Jane a while ago. Great guy!

Jim

Attachments

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[JohnTerrell]

Thank you for sharing that photo, Jim. That would have been quite some time ago now as Ken Dahlberg passed away in 2011. As some may recall, Paul Ehlen (the sponsor behind the Wings of the North Museum), used to also own and operate a P-51D painted in the markings of another Mustang that Ken Dahlberg flew, that being Little Horse (now part of the Dakota Territory Air Museum). At one of the CAF Red Wing airshows (2005 I believe), Paul flew to the show with Ken in the back seat. I also seem to recall there was a formation photo shoot once where Paul Ehlen had Ken Dahlberg in the backseat of Little Horse, and Henry Reichert had Nobel Peterson in the backseat of Dakota Kid II.

Last edited by JohnTerrell on Thu Jan 07, 2021 8:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Jack Cook]

In response to the banner headline of this thread the P-51B Shillelagh s/n 42-106602 FT+P was the assigned a/c of 1Lt Dave O'Hara has were all 4 Shillelagh's (spelled differently depending on who painted the name on.). In the opening film sequence showing FT+P taxing and taking off Dave O'Hara is the pilot. I watched this film with him at one of the 354th FG reunions. Strangely Ken Dahlberg never had a assigned aircraft. Most likely to him being a replacement joining the group in June 1944. Dave O'Hara by contrast was a original member joing the 353rd FS in May 1943 and compleing his tour in Oct 1944. Here are the four FT+Ps assigned to Dave O'Hara. All were lost with other pilots: #1 P-51B s/n 43-6388 FT+P Shillalah lost 1-14-44. #2 P-51B s/n 43-12319 FT+P Shillelagh the 2nd lost 4-11-44. #3 P-51B s/n 42-106602 FT+P Shillelaugh then changed to Shillelagh lost 8-16-44. #4 P-51D s/n 44-13550 FT+P Shillelagh lost 9-18-44. The a/c Dahlbergh is posing on is 42-106602 but when lost the markings had been changed, nose art changed, topside invasion stripes removed, nose repainted and the a/c cleaned up a bit.

Last edited by Jack Cook on Thu Jan 07, 2021 8:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Jack Cook]

used to also own and operate a P-51D painted in Ken Dahlberg's markings of Little Horse

Little Horse was Chuck Keonig's aircraft and Beantown Banshee was Mike Rogers's........

[JohnTerrell]

Thank you Jack for the detailed information!

[Jim MacDonald]

Jack,

PM headed your way.

Mac

[DH82EH]

Thanks Jack.
Your input is always appreciated.
Glad to see you still keep an eye on us from time to time

Andy

[Warbirdnerd]

An update on Shillelaugh-
https://www.aircorpsaviation.com/p-51b- ... 22-update/

[marine air]

What would be the current cost of a new build P-51 fuselage or a set of wings?

[quemerford]

An update on Shillelaugh-
https://www.aircorpsaviation.com/p-51b- ... 22-update/

I'm assuming it's a replica? Looks nice.

[Warbirdnerd]

An update on Shillelaugh-
https://www.aircorpsaviation.com/p-51b- ... 22-update/

I'm assuming it's a replica? Looks nice.

All depends on your definition of replica. I know several parts from the wreck are being incorporated into this build. No idea on the cost, if it's like gas and groceries, it's gone up a lot lately....

[quemerford]

An update on Shillelaugh-
https://www.aircorpsaviation.com/p-51b- ... 22-update/

I'm assuming it's a replica? Looks nice.

All depends on your definition of replica. I know several parts from the wreck are being incorporated into this build. No idea on the cost, if it's like gas and groceries, it's gone up a lot lately....

They do the same in the UK with Spitfires: basically replicas with a few period parts. It's a good way of keeping these shapes in the sky, even though many have no real link to the past.

[Spitty]

Today even the period parts are getting harder and more expensive to find.