P-51C Mustang 'Princess Elizabeth' - back at Duxford, UK

[Elliott Marsh - GAR]

Hi all, I thought this might be of interest both to those in the UK and those overseas! Go easy, this is my first post...

P-51C Mustang 'Princess Elizabeth' has been shipped back to Duxford in Cambridgeshire, England, to take part in the Duxford Spring Airshow on 26 May as part of a special formation named the 'Eagle Squadron', which also includes P-47G Thunderbolt 'Snafu', a Hawker Hurricane and Spitfire MkI. The Hurricane and Spitfire have been repainted specially for the event into appropriate "Eagle" Sqn markings (see below) and the formation is planned to be the centrepiece of Duxford's airshow.

The Mustang was uncrated today and reassembled in hangar 2 at Duxford and should be remaining in the UK for the Flying Legends airshow in July. Photographs of the reassembly can be found at http://globalaviationresource.com/v2/2013/05/10/remembering-the-mighty-eighth-pt-2-p-51c-mustang-princess-elizabeth-reassembled-at-duxford/ for those interested - credit to David Whitworth for some very interesting shots!

There are also photographs of the Spitfire's new scheme at http://globalaviationresource.com/v2/2013/04/29/remembering-the-mighty-eighth-pt-1-spitfire-mk-ia-p7308-unveiled-at-duxford/.

So, any UK enthusiasts (or indeed, non-UK enthusiasts!) planning on visiting Duxford for the airshow at the end of the month to see this beautiful aircraft? Here's hoping the weather is a tad better than it has been of late...

Last edited by Elliott Marsh - GAR on Fri May 10, 2013 5:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[The Inspector]

Welcome to WIX! Let us know where you're located or near what museums and expect lots of inquiries about'..................' or '..............' and 'couldya....' as soon as we have you pegged.
Someone is in trouble over those green wheel doors on 'Liz' (running joke).
Enjoy the ride but turn your 02 up to 100%!

[Elliott Marsh - GAR]

Thanks!

I'm located in London, with the closest major museums being the RAF Museum Hendon and Imperial War Museum Duxford. I'm a regular visitor to the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden too, which has a stunning collection of vintage aircraft from the early 1900s to the 1950s - including many 'one off' airworthy types. Old Warden's a beautiful venue and the aircraft are just wonderful, I'll post some photographs from there soon, I'm sure there's plenty of interest there!

[Richard W.]

Thanks for the links, Elliott.

I hadn't seen the GAR site before. Just marvelous photos.

[JohnTerrell]

David Whitworth (DCW) produces exceptional photos (you can see his photography of Duxford's daily happenings at the Key Publishing forum - and much more at his Flickr page http://www.flickr.com/photos/dwhitworth/).

BTW, I couldn't help but notice that the aircraft still has that "Bald Eagle" blue header coolant tank that was installed when Jim and Rich had her. ; )

[51fixer]

David Whitworth (DCW) produces exceptional photos (you can see his photography of Duxford's daily happenings at the Key Publishing forum - and much more at his Flickr page http://www.flickr.com/photos/dwhitworth/).

BTW, I couldn't help but notice that the aircraft still has that "Bald Eagle" blue header coolant tank that was installed when Jim and Rich had her. ; )

It has the 1st of the Roush engines we had O/Hed along with the Blue Header Tank.
Cool to see it back there again.

[JFS61]

While the Princess Elizabeth paint scheme is nice, I still miss her painted as Shangri-La, which (IMHO) was one of the greatest paint schemes ever to grace any aircraft.

[Mark Allen M]

So then this scheme didn't work for ya either?

[Speedy]

I'm not sure that Kasparoff paint job really worked for much of anything.....

And while I do have an affinity for the old Pete Regina/Shangri-La paint scheme....it was a 1981 special with gloss paint, and kind of the wrong color paint at that. I would love to see it in an authentic Shangri-La paint scheme.

But I also understand Jim's reason for keeping it in the Princess Elizabeth colors...as I seem to recall him saying a while back that it was part of the deal he made with his wife--Elizabeth--when she allowed him to buy a second Mustang.

[DH82EH]

What was Joe Kasparoff thinking? I know, I know, probably the same thing as Spencer Flack with G-FIRE. When asked about the crimson scheme he said "I like it. When you get a Spitfire, you can paint it any colour you like!"
Shangri-la was a favourite of many a warbird fan.

Will Jim Beasley be flying Princess at Legends? He has been there for the last several years.
It's always the same weekend as Geneseo. The last time B.E. was at Geneseo was when his dad used to bring it. The Mk XVIII would be most welcome

Welcome to WIX Elliott.
Thanks for the links. That's some good advice from the Inspector O2-100%

Andy Scott

[JohnTerrell]

According to the IWM, the 'Eagle Squadron' display, for which 'Princess' will be part of, will be flown by the current Horsemen pilots - Ed Shipley, Dan Friedkin (current owner of 'Princess'), and Steve Hinton, and they will be joined by Paul Bonhomme to fill out all four spots (I can likely see Ed flying the Mustang, Steve flying the Thunderbolt, Dan flying the Hurricane, and Paul flying the Spitfire). As some will recall, in 2011, the Friedkins shipped over their P-51D 'February' and their P-51K 'Fragile but Agile' (which had been previously owned by TFC (like Princess) when painted as 'Twilight Tear'), which were flown by Ed and Dan for that year's Flying Legends air show.

[DH82EH]

Thanks John
You've really got your finger on the pulse of this P-51 stuff
Much appreciated.

Andy Scott

[Elliott Marsh - GAR]

According to a recent press release, it'll be Hinton in the Thunderbolt, Shipley the Spitfire, Dan the Mustang & Bonhomme the Hurricane.

They'll be flying as a four-ship, as pairs and then with B-17 'Sally B'/'Memphis Belle'. As an Englishman watching & remembering the men who fought for this country far from home, it'll certainly be a very emotional experience. The formation will be overflying several USAAF stations the day after the Spring Airshow too, as well as the cemetery at Madingley.

[over/out]

Thanks John
You've really got your finger on the pulse of this P-51 stuff
Much appreciated.

Andy Scott

While the Princess Elizabeth paint scheme is nice, I still miss her painted as Shangri-La, which (IMHO) was one of the greatest paint schemes ever to grace any aircraft.

Ditto Here Andy & JFS61! And another THANK YOU to Elliott! (I'm just bursting over here in TX. trying to fit in "Elliott, phone home..." but nuting's working )

[Mike]

Airborne over Chino