Warbird Information Exchange

In my view it is. It's an early-production P-51D-20-NA restored with all of the right details of an early-production P-51D-20-NA. More things were done to match original NAA factory processes, fit and finishes than I have seen on any other P-51D restoration. The FHCAM P-51D-20-NA 'Upupa Epops' is also of a similar caliber, being a late-production P-51D-20-NA restored with all of the right details of a late-production P-51D-20-NA. Both also lack the highly-inaccurate polished mirror finish, have original WWII-type rivets, have profiled wings per original factory process, are painted in the same markings they had when in USAAF service, and have the bare minimum modern avionics that don't remove any authentic details from the cockpit. They have everything in them as they would have had in 1945, including the fuselage fuel tank, original early-mid production battery location behind the pilot, WWII radios, gun camera, armament, etc. Both are also highly original airframes with a lot of their original parts remaining (even skins in areas). One of the several unique things about 'Sierra Sue II' is that it was restored with real zinc chromate, something that you don't see in other warbird restorations (most use modern paints/primers tinted to match original wartime shades of zinc chromate), and for the markings they also used lacquer and enamel-based paints, as were used in 1945, rather than modern alternatives. Of course, 'Upupa Epops' hasn't flown since 2019, and I don't know if 'Sierra Sue II' has been flown since it arrived in Arizona back in February after being sold.

Speaking of 'Sierra Sue II' and the warbirds that were owned by the late Paul Ehlen, three of the Ehlen warbirds have now been sold - 'Sierra Sue II' to Craig Potts in Arizona, the also very WWII-stock AT-6D (N85696) to Exuma Air LLC in Montana, and the George Bush Stearman (N50061) to a new owner in Savage, MN (who I just recently spotted flying in to both Fleming Field and Minneapolis Intl., which are two airports it was based at during WWII - then known as 'Naval Air Station Minneapolis', which comprised of both airfields). Just the TBM Avenger N93818 and the damaged/destroyed P-40E N4420K remain registered to the late Paul Ehlen. The P-51B 'Shillelagh' project at AirCorps Aviation, which was partly owned by Ehlen, was also recently sold to the Dakota Territory Air Museum (AirCorps are slated to have it completed in 2026).

Looks like we have another Hurricane in the US! Not sure on the ID.
https://www.facebook.com/thewarbirdfact ... 44NMFm9VDl

It's the airworthy CC&F Hurricane XII RCAF serial no. 5481, ex G-ORGI, owned by the Collings Foundation for display at their American Heritage Museum. As devised by Collings, its been refinished by the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar in the UK and put in the markings of Eagle Squadron pilot Bill Dunn's aircraft, Z3267. Hurricane RCAF 5481 is of course well known for its periods of ownership with David Price in the US (Museum of Flying), the Ed Russell collection in Canada, and when operated for several years in Australia as VH-JFW.

The American Heritage Museum is proud to announce our newest addition to our flying collection… Hawker Hurricane Mk. XII RCAF 5481 in the markings of Z3267 as flown by P/O William Dunn. Dunn was the first American flying ace of World War II during his service with the Royal Air Force’s No. 71 Eagle Squadron in 1941.

See the Hurricane along with our Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX BR601 as it debuts at Green Mountain Aviation Field Days in Burlington, VT on Saturday, September 14 and Sunday, September 15. Both aircraft will return to Albany, NY for the winter at the Hangar at 743 and Warbird Factory.

The amphibious DC-3 N130Q was flown today, and has been restored to the list of active flyers.

I was sent some video and a photo of it taking off and flying overhead today, but I'm not at liberty to share them.

I was sent some video and a photo of it taking off and flying overhead today, but I'm not at liberty to share them.