Current Status of the following Razor Back Mustangs

[C VEICH]

Three questions

1. Was there historically a P-51A named "Shanty Irish" or...
2. ...has N51Z just been repainted in a P-51B scheme or...
3. ...have they swapped the Allison for a Merlin and N51Z now represents a P-51B?

I'm hopin' for #3 since "Polar Bear" was probably closer to a B model than it was to an A anyway!

[Couger42]

Three questions

1. Was there historically a P-51A named "Shanty Irish" or...
2. ...has N51Z just been repainted in a P-51B scheme or...
3. ...have they swapped the Allison for a Merlin and N51Z now represents a P-51B?

I'm hopin' for #3 since "Polar Bear" was probably closer to a B model than it was to an A anyway!

she still has her Allison engine so I'd say #2...
she is basically a modified D model made to look like an A model going to be painted in a B mode paint scheme!!!

[Warbird Kid]

Three questions

1. Was there historically a P-51A named "Shanty Irish" or...
2. ...has N51Z just been repainted in a P-51B scheme or...
3. ...have they swapped the Allison for a Merlin and N51Z now represents a P-51B?

I'm hopin' for #3 since "Polar Bear" was probably closer to a B model than it was to an A anyway!

she still has her Allison engine so I'd say #2...
she is basically a modified D model made to look like an A model going to be painted in a B mode paint scheme!!!

[JohnTerrell]

From what I heard some weeks back, the race name the aircraft is registered under for Reno, "Shanty Irish", does not have to do with the aircraft being painted in the 357th FG B-model paint scheme. They've done a ton of work to make the aircraft resemble a P-51A, closer than what had been accomplished in its first restoration. Although the main fuselage and wings are still all from a P-51D, it now has an A-model type radiator scoop/doghouse section and a lot of detail work has been poured into the cockpit to present it as a stock A-model (the entire airframe was completely stripped down and restored throughout, with authentic-looking primers, paints, period-correct aluminum watermarks, inspection stamps, etc.). I saw video on Instagram posted by John Muszala II of the aircraft undergoing an engine run last week, and a photo from the cockpit on the test flight yesterday, with a hint of early Air Corps markings.

[Decamara]

Why are these being called "razor backs"?

The Jug is the only true razor back

These are more like smooth backs

Hump backs

Round backs

Or
Just a plain ole' B model (or C model)


Flame away
I care not

Same as calling real pilots
Drivers


The Doc

[airnutz]

Why are these being called "razor backs"?

The Jug is the only true razor back

Something foisted on history by Air Classics many moons ago. Highback is preferred by "real" Mustang lovers! We need to quit tilting at windmills brother Don Q and pillory sum heathens until they "get it"...
EDIT
I couldn't remember his name a minute ago, but it came to me, Michael O'Leary...slooowly I turn, step by step, inch by inch...
Next time you hear razorback applied to a Mustang, just do this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yJBhzMWJCc

[JimH]

Polar Bear is history Pacific Fighters and Dusty Diwd brought her as close to a true A model as you can get. John posted an in flight cockpit shot the other day. The reflection in his visor shows they stuck with the plan for a really cool scheme. As for me...they will always be Razorbacks...I just like the sound of it.

Jim

[airnutz]

Aaarrrggghhhh, say it ain't so JimH!....grooooann, we has met the enemy and he is us! I suppose it coulda' been worse. O'Leary might have dubbed them Fastbacks and then we would've had to deal with our google search returns being filled with Fords!

[k5083]

Wow, this is exciting. I'm looking forward to seeing this "new" plane.

I've read that the early Fairchild FC-2 with the triangle-section fuselage was the first plane to be called a razorback, and it certainly fit. It's fine for the P-47, but I am certainly among the pedants who consider it wrong for the P-51 and excised it from my vocabulary. Still, the only time I am moved to commit physical violence in this context is when someone contrasts bubble with "razorback" Spitfires.

August

[Ed Likes]

Thanks to one and all for posting so far on the status of the Razor Back Mustangs, or whatever you wish to call them. My association with Polar Bear goes back 30 years to be precise July 4th 1987. It was then owned by Moon Spillers. A tremendous guy by the way. I got my very first Mustang Ride in this aircraft with Moon flying on the above date. Glad to know what Pacific Fighters has done with this aircraft. Thanks again to everyone for sharing and posting. This is why I love WIX as a forum.

[Decamara]

Does that make the "D" model a broke back?

[Pogo]

Seems to me contributions made by the British to P-51 development were adopted to great advantage by NAA/USAAC, namely, the Merlin engine and name 'Mustang'. Cheers! I have always wondered why they didn't adopt the Malcolm hood canopy as well? Looks like it made much better sense (and looks seriously cool too).

[CJAM427]

Totally goregous,

These are from John Muszala II's Facebook page.

[Dan K]

Kinda' like time warping back to Oshkosh in the 1970's.

[DH82EH]

WOW!

I'd love to hear what Moon would have to say.

Sure is pretty. Thanks for the pics.

Andy