Mustang Prang 20 May 1947 ...

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7557

How did this happen? Lots of theories come to mind, but there's also a few observations that don't add up.
This could be the P-51D in the photo per AAIR according to the date.

AAIR: P-51D-30NA 44-74657 79th FS, 20th FG, Shaw Field, SC flown by David H Brown 20 May 1947.
https://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src ... 947May.htm

Photo credit: Michael Scalingi

Joe Scheil · **Posted:** Wed Nov 06, 2019 10:39 pm

Stalled trying to three point, and dropped it in...HARD.

Craig59 · **Posted:** Wed Nov 06, 2019 10:43 pm

Or possibly a bounced landing.

Spitty · **Posted:** Thu Nov 07, 2019 5:32 am

Perfect 3 pointer...Nose,tail and rest of it

Archer · **Joined:** Tue Nov 30, 2004 3:13 pm **Posts:** 366

Large upwards force on the tail section, large upwards force on the prop, causing the engine mount to bend and the gearbox/prop to depart. Partially folded main gear with what appears to be wing tip damage as well. I'd say the mother of all bounces, with the aircraft hitting the ground both in a nose down attitude (most likely right wing low) and later (or before) also in a nose up attitude.

Correction, Spitty called it first! :wink:

martin_sam_2000 · **Joined:** Sun Jan 08, 2012 10:05 am **Posts:** 378

I would guess something that put it up onto it nose at speed (bounce, hard braking, pothole) and then at full stop, the tail fell back down causing the tail damage.

Sean

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7557

No markings ... interesting!

airnutz · **Posted:** Thu Nov 07, 2019 5:29 pm

Stalled straddling a "bar ditch" and with a mighty bounce you see her as they found 'er. The pilot still attends unit reunions, a l'il fella 92 years old and 3-foot tall he stands out in a crowd.

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7557

airnutz wrote:

Stalled straddling a "bar ditch" and with a mighty bounce you see her as they found 'er. The pilot still attends unit reunions, a l'il fella 92 years old and 3-foot tall he stands out in a crowd.

Yah! ya had me until the 3-foot tall part.

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11280

Perhaps the result of a porpoised landing?

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Mustang Prang 20 May 1947 ...

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