P-51D at CAF Harlingen 1981.

T J Johansen · **Posted:** Mon Jan 13, 2025 6:16 pm

I just came across this photo on Flickr which is said to show N151X, more well known as Bill Hane's "Ho Hun" in 1981. My problem with that info is that the Mustang should by this time already have been painted in the 55th FG colors wearing then owner John T. Johnson's personal codes JT*J. Hane bought it that year and changed the codes shortly thereafter. There is a photo of N151X on mustangsmustangs.com said to be from Harlingen 81 showing the 51 in the 55th colors, but is that correct?

Sp, were any of our esteemed members at the CAF airshow in 1981, saw this 51, and can give any clues as to its identity?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/marktrium ... 4276013937

T J

Archer · **Joined:** Tue Nov 30, 2004 3:13 pm **Posts:** 433

It would make sense if this is a case of mistaken identity and it is a different P-51D. No idea which one though. A quick search led me to N1051S/45-11371/N51KF (https://www.warbirdregistry.org/p51regi ... 11371.html) thinking it might be an interim stage in the repaint to 'Silver Girl' but the details don't match. Over to a real expert...

k5083 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 17, 2025 5:24 pm

I think that is 44-73140, then registered N51N, around the time she was acquired by Dennis Bradley and later repainted as RCAF BA-U. See 5th photo here: https://www.mustangsmustangs.com/p-51/s ... l/44-73140.

August

k5083 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 17, 2025 5:25 pm

Double post.

August

Archer · **Joined:** Tue Nov 30, 2004 3:13 pm **Posts:** 433

Looks like you solved the riddle!

A nice identifying feature is that large ADF housing next to the radio mast... but unfortunately it is not visible in the Flickr photo that started this quest. All the other details match though. Well done!

T J Johansen · **Posted:** Mon Jan 20, 2025 1:49 pm

I agree with Archer. Think you nailed that one August. And by doing a search for N51N on Google you also find another copy of the photo with Dick Phillips notes that he photographed it at Harlingen in 1981 in the same scheme.
https://www.mustangsmustangs.com/p-51/who/case/282

T J

Archer · **Joined:** Tue Nov 30, 2004 3:13 pm **Posts:** 433

Funnily enough I actually browsed through all those 'cold case' files at mustangsmustangs thinking I might find this P-51 in there. I obviously missed it.

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P-51D at CAF Harlingen 1981.

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