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Friday, October 7, 2016

Kiwi Connection - Tragic crash of P51D G-MSTG ex NZ2427

The recent fatal crash of North American P51D Mustang G-MSTG "Janine" has seen David Wise provide the following Kiwi connection:

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=190440

http://www.touchdown-aviation.com/flying-legends/plane/hardwick-warbirds/north-american-P-51D-30NT-MUSTANG-G-MSTG.php

  • NZ2427 (c/n 124-48271, ex 45-11518) served with 3 (Canterbury) Squadron from October 17, 1952 to August 9, 1955. The aircraft had its wings torched prior to being sold by tender in 1958 to Barry North and Peter Coleman and taken to Omaka. A replacement mainplane was purchased and the aircraft was restored to taxiable standard. Peter Coleman later bought out Barry North's share and the aircraft was moved to his Benmorven Rd home. In the 1980's he moved into Blenheim and the aircraft was dismantled for storage. After his death in 1990, the now incomplete but substantial remains were purchased by the AFC with a view to restoration. However, after the purchase of ZK-PLI (see below), the project was abandoned and in 1996 the remains were sold to Maurice Hammond in the UK. Maurice began a rebuild project in Easter 1997 at his base in Eye in Suffolk. This saw the aircraft return to the air on July 13, 2001 in the hands of Rob Davies. Now fitted with a zero-timed former Phillipines Air Force Merlin, Maurice says the aircraft is still 70% original. There has been some reskinning, along with the replacement of plexiglass, control surfaces and missing and perishable components. Like many restorations, the fuselage fuel tank has been removed to make way for a second seat. The gunbays were restored with replica guns of his own manufacture. The completed aircraft has been finished in the scheme of 41-4419 'Janie' flown by Major William Price of the 351st fighter squadron of the 353rd fighter group which was based at Raydon in Essex, England. Today the former NZ2427 is based at Harwick in Norfolk, UK as G-MSTG. (illustrated below).