Duke of Brabant B25

Yep, that’s the one! Thanks for your help Robbo!

Folks,

When I recall well – one never knows when Alzheimer Light starts… – Stephen Grey gave a waterproof analysis on the ID of his / TFC’s “Twilight Tear”. I don’t have the link at hand now, but please check that. Former SE-BKG was the “Twilight Tear”.

Er… which “Twilight Tear” was this, aren’t there a couple of “genuine” examples…:rolleyes:

Steady, we could turn this around on you and talk about “genuine” Mk 1 spitfires………..;)

Thanks for that Robbo, I had already concluded that this is one of the two P-51s involved in a mixup. I just couldn’t remember what the full story was.

The interesting question remaining is whether it would be feasible to compile a history that is as complete as possible. As far as I can see both the Mustangsmustangs website and the WIX-registry (not that that is known for regular updates) have part of the history of the airframe listed. But which parts are correct? (For the P-51 that is in my photos above.)

Edit: Question answered by T J Johansen in post above, our posts were simultaneous.

Back in 2007 I posted the following on the WIX forum. That shows the two different aircraft and their history since being surplused from the IDFAF.

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=11851&p=108676&hilit=N251L#p108676

T J

As for the P-51, Warbirdregistry has this list on its history:

Built by NAA at Inglewood Plant, 1944.
Delivered to USAAF as 44-63864, Dec. 1944.
– Served with 8th AF/78th FG/83rd FS.
– Flown by Lt. Hubert Davis as Twilight Tear/HL*W.
Delivered to Royal Swedish AF as Fv26158, June 17, 1949.
– Served with F16 at Uppsala coded K.
– Later served with F4 at Ostersund.
Henry Wallenburg & Co, Feb. 9, 1953.
– Overhauled by Svenska, Flygverkstaderna, Malmo.
Delivered to IDFAF as 38, 1953-1961.
Israeli Air Force Museum, 19??-1978.
– Reported open storage, Herzlia, Israel, 1978.
Israel Itzhaki, Sde-Dov (later Herzlia), Israel, March 1978-1986.
– Restored to airworthy, Herzilia, 1978-1984.
— Powerplant rebuilt by David Zeuschel/Zeuschel Raging Engines, Sylmar, CA.
– First flight, Herzlia, Feb. 5, 1984.
– Registered as 4X-AIM, Feb. 1984.
Novida AB/Flygexpo, Malmo, Sweden, Dec. 1986-1990.
– Registered as SE-BKG.
– Delivered to Malmo, Dec. 23, 1986.
– Flew as RSAF/Fv26158.
Cham S. Gill, Central Point, OR, May. 1991.
– Registered as N42805.
Kenneth A. Hake, Tipton, KS, 1992.
The Fighter Collection, Duxford, UK, March. 2002-2003.
– Registered as G-CBNM.

I took the photos above in 1994/1996 which means that there are some inconsistencies in this history. Or have I got the wrong airframe?

Mustangsmustangs has this:

44-63864: Delivered USAAF 12/14/44
WWII Vet: “Twilight Tear” coded HL W,
pilot Hubert Davis, Duxford, England
3 confirmed kills: 2 Me262, 1 Me109

1948 June: RSwAF 26158 F16 coded rD, gK
1953: Sold Israel as IDFAF 3506
Another P-51 (N251L) in Israel was sold with an id of 44-63864, then crashed in Iceland on return to USA. The pilot was killed.

At some point 44-63864(#1) was registered 4X-AIM in Israel. Upon arrival in Sweden, the paint was stripped, Swedish markings were found on the wings and in the tail the placard with the RSwAF number of 26158.

2002: March/April – 44-63864 sold to the Fighter Collection of Duxford. Will be ferried (flown) to the UK in early April 02.
2002: registered G-CBNM
2003: flying as “Twilight Tear”, former WWII 78th FG colors.
2007: word is that “Twilight Tear” is coming over the USA for the Gathering of Mustangs and Legends in September!
2007: shortly after the GML, Twilight Tear was flown back to Chino for a complete restoration.

Er… which “Twilight Tear” was this, aren’t there a couple of “genuine” examples…:rolleyes:

Indeed. Hence the wording “operated as ‘Twilight Tear'”. 😉

Er… which “Twilight Tear” was this, aren’t there a couple of “genuine” examples…:rolleyes:

No, unfortunately this is not the genuine “Twilight Tear”. But do not despair, in its current ownership it is still a combat veteran, albeit a different one. Strange how that happens… :rolleyes:

T J

B25 is not mentioned in the planning for FL (yet). But it should appear at Dunsfold.

Peter,

Thanks for the Update… highly appreciate it…

Will it be at legends again ;)??? (sorry had to do it guys)

B 25

At the moment the B25 is undergoing maintenance and the Propellers have been sent to Germany to be serviced.
I am at the moment respraying the bomb racks ,and part of the floor.
She should to be flying some time next month.

Peter

Is that the Mustang that TFC operated as “Twilight Tear” from 2003 to about 2006ish, or am I confusing it with a similarly schemed machine?

Er… which “Twilight Tear” was this, aren’t there a couple of “genuine” examples…:rolleyes:

…and to close the circle by answering the first question on the B-25: DBAF’s bomber was never grounded because of insurance problems!

That’s the old TFC aircraft.

T J

Is that the Mustang that TFC operated as “Twilight Tear” from 2003 to about 2006ish, or am I confusing it with a similarly schemed machine?

That’s the one. I helped apply the temporary stickers 😉

This one?

The Dutch East Indies colours it carries here were applied with adhesive plastic and only used in 1994. In later years the DBAF operated the aircraft in its Swedish colours.

Edit: Found a photo in those colours:

Hell yeah!!!!!

Is there P51 up and running yet?

I think you mean the Swedish P-51 that was in Duke of Brabant’s care for some time until a few years ago. It was initially painted in Swedish AF c/s, later in Dutch East Indies c/s. It was never theirs, just operated by them on behalf of the Swedish owner.

I don’t think the B-25 has flown since being re-registered as PH-XXV last year. They usually keep her on the ground during the winter for maintenance though. The Spitfire (MK732/PH-OUQ) has recently flown again having been repaired after a landing incident at EHGR.

As for the P-51s, the SKHV doesn’t own any, but the Early Birds Mustang has had its first engine runs, so first flight shouldn’t be far off.

Wow. Last time I saw Bedsheet Bomber it was complete and standing next to `Dolly` at North Weald.