P-51 Project At Pima
Thu Aug 09, 2007 12:16 pm
Thu Aug 09, 2007 7:34 pm
What a great project! Loved those trunions for the landing gear. Some thought went into those. with a bit more attention a fully flyable Mustang could be assembled. Lots of usable concepts for the ambitious homebuilder! thanks for the link.
Thu Aug 09, 2007 7:47 pm
Any idea as to what paint scheme it will wear?
Thu Aug 09, 2007 9:33 pm
I wondered how that project was going. When we visited in '04 they were just getting started, and said we couldn't take any pictures because it was top secret. 
We were told the museum was setting up a "production line" to build static display Mustang replicas for museums that can't afford a real one.
SN
We were told the museum was setting up a "production line" to build static display Mustang replicas for museums that can't afford a real one.
SN
Thu Aug 09, 2007 10:25 pm
mustangdriver wrote:Any idea as to what paint scheme it will wear?
We haven't decided for sure yet. This one is the front runner with the curatorial staff.
http://www.camdecals.com/main.asp?img=24-004
The main gear went into the wing today. We hope to have the wing and fuselage mated by the end of the month.
James
Thu Aug 09, 2007 11:50 pm
Sorry to be the dummy here. 
How'd this project start? It looks really great! Can you give us some more background?
Can't wait to see it fly. You guys are doing a terriffic job!
How'd this project start? It looks really great! Can you give us some more background?
Can't wait to see it fly. You guys are doing a terriffic job!
Fri Aug 10, 2007 12:43 am
sdennison wrote:Sorry to be the dummy here.
Can't wait to see it fly. You guys are doing a terriffic job!
The project started because P-51s cost too darn much. The museum has never been able to afford one so we decided to acquire as many parts as we could and build one. Since we don't intend to fly it we can use parts that would not pass inspection for an airworthy airplane. I'd guess a little over half the plane's airframe is original Mustang bits while we have made the rest from North American's construction drawings. The original plan was to build several aircraft and keep one D model and one B/C model for the museum and sell a couple more to defray the cost of construction. Since none of them will be to flyable standard they would be relatively inexpensive and would be perfect for museums that want an all metal static Mustang but can't afford a flyer or don't have the resources to work on a major project airframe.
James
Fri Aug 10, 2007 11:04 pm
Does Pima have any flying aircraft or are they all static?
Sat Aug 11, 2007 1:03 am
me109me109 wrote:Does Pima have any flying aircraft or are they all static?
We do not fly any of our aircraft.
James
Sat Aug 11, 2007 2:00 pm
I wonder if FlugWerke have any of their new trunnions that didn't make the grade for airworthy? Perhaps they could be available for static use?
Just a thought. Nice work!
greg v.
Just a thought. Nice work!
greg v.
????
Sat Aug 11, 2007 3:40 pm
Louis Curdes P-51`D would be a great choice. But, on the profile the info is wrong. The3rd Air Commando's flew in the Philippines in mid 1945 and never were anywhere near China. Curdes was a P-38 ace in the 82nd FG in 1943.
Re: ????
Sun Aug 12, 2007 12:20 am
Jack Cook wrote:Louis Curdes P-51`D would be a great choice. But, on the profile the info is wrong. The3rd Air Commando's flew in the Philippines in mid 1945 and never were anywhere near China. Curdes was a P-38 ace in the 82nd FG in 1943.
Jack,
I know they got that wrong. Somewhere around here I even have a profile that I corrected but I couldn't find it when I was looking to make that post. I really want to do his markings as a way of recognizing that not every Mustang pilot flew with the 8th Air Force. Plus the story of his one American kill is really interesting.
James