P51 Danny Boy

[bdk]

Here's a shot from the museum's website. Sure looks better than when I flew in her.

That is because you didn't fly in 7715C, the plane pictured. The Mustang you flew in is now named "Spam Can"!

Note how the bar on the insignia is even with the demarcation line between the green and silver on 5441V:



Here you can see that the bar is below the line on 7715C:



This is how "Spam Can" N5441V looks now:

[sdennison]

So, how do they swap mfg ID's and what would be the reason behind doing that?

I just thought that the difference in the pictures would have been due to a repaint over the years. When I flew in her, she wasn't that sweet and pristine.

[T J Johansen]

So, how do they swap mfg ID's and what would be the reason behind doing that?

I just thought that the difference in the pictures would have been due to a repaint over the years. When I flew in her, she wasn't that sweet and pristine.

Not quite sure what you mean with swapping mfg. ID? N5441V does have the same ID it wore when surplussed. N7715C has the ID from the "Red Baron" which crashed in 1979. Both 51s have worn the same paint scheme with serial painted on the tail, but then again, how many P-51s fly with their real serial # painted on the airframe?

T J

[sdennison]

Sorry, I was referring to the "build numbers" 41-3334 and 51-1582. the plane I flew in was 41-3334.

Now if I look at the paint jobs, as you suggested, it is apparent that 41-3334 was repainted from the year that I flew in it. If you look at the position of the bar insignia in relation to the jack support hole in the fuselage, you can see that the star and bar have been lowered in the subsequent paint scheme. In addition, the painting of the wing/fuselage fillets has changed from 1974 to 2005.

You are more on top of the history than I. Is Spam Can still airworthy and flying regularly? Either way, this was an experience that I will always remember as it may never be duplicated.

Thanks for all the info!

Scott

[T33driver]

You are more on top of the history than I. Is Spam Can still airworthy and flying regularly? Either way, this was an experience that I will always remember as it may never be duplicated.



I bet it will.

[T J Johansen]

Sorry, I was referring to the "build numbers" 41-3334 and 51-1582. the plane I flew in was 41-3334.

Now if I look at the paint jobs, as you suggested, it is apparent that 41-3334 was repainted from the year that I flew in it. If you look at the position of the bar insignia in relation to the jack support hole in the fuselage, you can see that the star and bar have been lowered in the subsequent paint scheme. In addition, the painting of the wing/fuselage fillets has changed from 1974 to 2005.

You are more on top of the history than I. Is Spam Can still airworthy and flying regularly? Either way, this was an experience that I will always remember as it may never be duplicated.

Thanks for all the info!

Scott

No, actually the a/c you flew in is 45-11582! It was only painted as 44-13334 in the 70s. Nowadays it flies with its real serial on the tail. Which means that your photo and the bottom one shows the same a/c. Britt Dietz landing shot shows Steve Hinton's N7715C. If I'm not mistaken you can still see both Mustangs fly out of Planes of Fame at Chino, CA.

T J

[sdennison]

Wow! How do you know all that stuff? Do they paint the tail numbers to match their scheme for historical accuracy? So the tail number is not the critical one?

Very cool stuff and thanks!

[bdk]

Both of these Mustangs fly regularly. If you ever come to Chino you can get a ride in either! Same paint scheme on two airplanes can get confusing I know, but when you flew in N5441V the other Mustang was likely still south of the border on active duty. N5441V has been with the museum almost since the beginning.

[sdennison]

Thanks for the info. I used to live in Redondo in the 70's when I worked for the Parnelli Jones Indy Team. Would love to come back out to visit. Don't think I could find my apartment on the beach for $175 a month anymore, eh?

[MKD1966]

I have a video of the Chino airshow sometime in the early 80's and both mustangs are in the same basic scheme with the main difference being N5441V "Spam Can" has a "ALL YELLOW" nose while N7715C "Wee Willy II" has the red and yellow nose markings it still wears today... In the video both these mustangs plus the P-51A & Bob Pond's P-51D start the show with several formation flybys and a missing man...

[bdk]

Don't think I could find my apartment on the beach for $175 a month anymore, eh?

Not bloody likely! Probably a condo now that would sell for $800K.

[sdennison]

Yeah, that was the good ol days. I lived two buildings south of the pier, facing the sand with a fireplace. 1972-73 era. Out my door, down the hill (sliding on the iceplant) and in the water.

Also, while working for a guy's kid at the Torrance Airport, heard the radial rumble only to find a beautiful SNJ pulled up outside. Imaculate restoration. The guy just bought it....$10,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh well, wish in one hand and sh*t in the other, see which fills up first.