UK Mustang restorations?

Thank you, Ben, for that information. If they do stick with depicting “Dallas Doll”, I will be thrilled – I have always loved that paint scheme and the iconic wartime photo. It would be wonderful if they use the “Scotch-Brite” technique on the metal again like they did with “Happy Jack’s Go Buggy”, rather than the polished mirror finish. To-date, Midwest Aero has produced the stunning Mustangs “Cripes A’ Mighty (IV)”, “Daddy’s Girl”, “Red Dog”, “Happy Jack’s Go Buggy”, “Live Bait”, “Was That Too Fast”, “Frances Dell”, and most recently “Frenesi” – which happens to still be based at Duxford with TFC right now. Oxcart, I’m familiar with that book you refer to, and if you take a close look at “Frenesi”, you’ll find that it is just like “Happy Jack’s Go Buggy” as well, with the exact same level and type of authentic details throughout. Even with examples like “Daddy’s Girl”, “Red Dog”, and “Live Bait”, which have jump seats installed in the back and upgraded panels/gps units built in, the aircraft are still finished, throughout, in all of the authentic primers, paints, factory inspection stamps and stencils, etc. you find in the more authentic of Mustang restorations.

I have a book about Midwest’s restoration of the P-51 ‘Happy Jack’s Go Buggy’ it’s good enough to eat!

John, according to the article published by FP, Dallas Doll markings codes SX-L are considered.

I’ve been curious/looking forward to seeing what direction that restoration takes. I’d imagine he’ll want to keep the back seat in the aircraft, but even so, Midwest Aero does an amazing job in their restorations of blending authenticity throughout with modern elements in the cockpit. David’s T-6, also restored by Midwest Aero, has a perfect blend of historical authenticity with modern avionics and gps built in. It will also be interesting to see what the eventual paint scheme will be for the Mustang – perhaps another 353rd FG scheme to match his 353rd “squadron hack” T-6? Whatever the end result, it is going to be a stunning, award-winning caliber restoration.

Surprised no one has mentionned David Nock P-51D currently underway with Midwest Aero in USA.

Hi All,
T J Johansen , R4118
Had a confirmation reply from Aces High regarding 44-73098:- ” We owned a Mustang about thirty years ago. Maybe someone else is restoring it? “
so wiki needs up dating…:rolleyes:

Geoff.

Didn’t think anything was left of HABU. Would love to see that restored as such, was my favourite Reno coloured 51.

It was D-FBBD at the time of the accident.

I doubt if much of G-HAEC “Big Beautiful Doll” is left?

I seem to recall the name Phil Earthey and the Classic Flying Machine Collection at Foulsham going hand in hand: https://www.facebook.com/Classic-Flying-Machine-Collection-111335502242209/

With some parts/titles of these three Mustangs in ownership:

CAC A68-005 (G-ARKD) – remains of the aircraft destroyed by fire in 1961
44-73196 (G-CITN) – remains of a Reno air racer “Habu” crashed in 1984
44-72181 (G-CEBW) – some remains of the original 4th FG “Sunny VIII” crashed in 1945

I would love to know if anything is being done with G-UAKE (originally thought to be and registered as 44-13954/”Da Quake”, but is actually a different P-51D from the same squadron (44-13663) that also bellied onto the beach very close to “Da Quake”). Phil Earthey owned this project as well, from about 1996 to 2001, and it has been sold three times since then (listed in various registries as an on-going restoration for the past 20+ years now). Obviously if/when this aircraft ever surfaces as a complete/flying aircraft, it will be an almost entirely new-build aircraft.

I know Air Leasing now has the original 361st FG combat vet “Mary Mine” in their shop for restoration – it is a complete airframe that has been simply in storage since the last time it flew (the 80’s?), so it should be a fairly straight forward job to return it to flight – partially depending on how the owner wants the finished aircraft to look (how detailed/authentic, etc.).

Just had a quick look on G-INFO and the above mentioned Mr Earthy appears to have 3 registered to an address somewhere in France!

Has anybody actually seen 44-73098 at Duxford recently? The Wiki reference is the file from Warbirdregistry which lists the plane as being with Aces High in 1985. There has been many more owners in the US since then. Last known owner was World Jet who had the composite project assembled and put “on display” outside their base in Ft. Lauderdale for a short while. It was then sold off, and not heard from since.

T J

Hi All,
Three on the wiki page.

44-13954 – Mustang Restoration Group in Coventry.[40]
44-14291 – Phil G. Earthey.[41]
44-73098 – Aces High Ltd., (EDIT-Seepost 9)

Geoff.