P-51D Dove of peace........

[Yak 11 Fan]

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

That will be Maurice Hammond, I guess it's down to personal preferance really and with Maurice living in the heart of 8th airforce country that the Mustang should be marked up as an 8th Airforce machine in tribute to the many that flew from the region. However at the end of the day it is only paint and maybe one day it could be repainted.
The other thing to bear in mind is whether the aircraft would be quite as active on the European airshow circuit as it is had it worn it's RNZAF markings.
From a personal point of view having spent many hours with the aircraft I love the current scheme and find it very different from the rest of the UK based aircraft. As you rightly say the condition of the machine is fantastic (as are the rest of Maurice's aircraft).

[Swiss Mustangs]

Duxford July 2003



enjoy !
Martin

[Yak 11 Fan]

Lovely picture Martin, it will keep me going until I see the real thing tomorrow evening.....