Quote:
What are the odds they still have their original data plates?
The odds are badly against you, Mike
the ID of these two ships, plus another one (#39) currently under restoration at Hatzerim, is not known and maybe impossible to determine. The IDFAF usually did a great job in obliterating former identities of their combat aircraft, especially those that were acquired through obscure channels.
I collected many photographs over the last few years and these airframes have seen some changes in livery, and I am almost sure that the current external appearance shares little in common with the former ID's, #53 for example also carried #008 at one time.
Moreover due to the fact that the IDFAF had a high attrition rate during 1956 and saw many airframes cannibalized to get others going.
#53 aka #008 for example has a crude rudder and a wrong spinner because the original items were missing and no replacement units could be found.
After the remainder of the Israeli P-51 was either towed to Kibbutzes as playground attractions or left deterioriating at various airbase dumps, it was difficult for the Museum to acquire complete airframes; so another round of cannibalizing took place. At the same time, a number of fuselages and wings was exported to the UK where they were or are rebuilt to flying condition.
Feel free to contact me by PM or e-mail martin[at]swissmustangs.ch
for some more info.
Cordially
Martin / Swiss Mustangs
http://www.swissmustangs.ch