Warbird Information Exchange

Was out at Ardmore yesterday and I am happy to report that P-51D "dove of peace" has arrived (into N.Z) in good shape and is in the process of being reassembled at Pioneer Aero Restorations.
http://www.warbirdregistry.org/p51registry/p51-4413016.html

Thanks for the update. Enjoy!

Hi Great news !!

I was so sad after going to Wanaka in April that you Kiwis "lost" one of yours to the Yanks but this makes up for it - especially as it is an Aussie aircraft. Where do I fill out the request form to have it repainted in it's RAAF scheme!!!

Thanks for the update - it is really appreciated.

Regards
John P

_________________
Air Vice Marshall
Sunshine State Air Farce

An RAAF scheme would be the most appropriate, but its current paintjob is immaculate.

An ozzy paintjob might affect its serviceability if you keep making fools of us on the cricket field

Hairy

We Aussies don't need to help you make fools of yourselves on the cricket field !!! It is culturaly ingrained in you. On the other hand Rugby Union is................aaanother mmmatter!

Regards
John P

_________________
Air Vice Marshall
Sunshine State Air Farce

Setter

I deserved that, our team sucks.
I'm more of a motorsport fan anyway.

Going back to colour schemes, I'm not sure about the colour of the engine.....
........blue and yellow?

Another colour question why have soo many Mustangs been restored with a white instument panel?

Not only the white instument panel, but it looks very wrong with those wheels / brake set up.
That said at least it flies....

White or light grey? I have seen a number of warbirds with a light grey instrument panel, and while it isn't authentic, the light grey panel has much better visibility than the black panel.

_________________
Dan Johnson

Initially grey panels were introduced by Trans Florida Aviation / Cavalier during their rebuilds / conversions, including many 'modification kits' issued to both military and civil aircraft owners.

Since many aircraft flying today are from sources where at one time or another TFA/Cavalier was somehow involved, either in complete rebuild or various IRAN's, many panels already had seen the metamorphosis to grey

Here's a Cavalier panel - one of the ships that went to Bolivia)



Randy Haskin might add some more here

Martin / Swiss Mustangs

Hairy

I'm sorry but as a purist here I think everything including the engine/instrument pannel down to the rudder pedals should go back to stock scheme - Kiwi warbirds are usually pretty authentic and I think this one is begging to go back to an authentic scheme and no It could be another authentic scheme not necessarily an Aussie one although I do have a shot of her in her RAAF scheme and she looks great.

Kindest regards
John P

_________________
Air Vice Marshall
Sunshine State Air Farce

I was always a fan of the RNZAF red and black checkerboard P-51 scheme. I was very sad when the former RNZAF mustang which Russ Hammond restored as "Janie" (to beautiful condition though I must admit) was not restored to her original colors. There aren't many original RNZAF or RAAF mustangs out there, and it is only fitting that some of them at least should retain their authentic markings. "Dove of Peace" is a beautiful bird though. I remember seeing here at the mustang meet in 99, and she was gorgeous!

Cheers,
Richard

We had her at a Mustang Round-Up here at FCM.
Does it still have the tinted canopy??

Has there been any announcement about who the new owner is and where the aircraft will be based?

Cheers,

Brett

It will be based at Wanaka

Dave

Hi Richard, the red/black checker pattern is actually a Canturbury regional rugby colour, each territorial air force (sort of like the air national guard) squadrons colours were based on the local rugby colours.