Sat Aug 19, 2006 4:42 pm
RickH wrote:Yes, at least one of the Aussie nuclear test mustangs still exists as a complete airframe. It was the first of the type in RAAF service actually, A68-1, and was owned and raced by Gary Levitz at one time. I am not sure, but I think it's serial number is 44-15757. It still flies, and is now owned by Wiley Sanders I believe.
A68-1 is indeed the single intact Emu test airframe. The others that went to Cavalier are:
A68-7
A68-30
A68-35
A68-72
A68-87
There are a couple intersting articles written about the tests and the recovery of these airframes. I am away from home, so I don't have them at my fingertips so I can't list the actual references.
The story of what happened to the airplanes after they hit the docks in the US is not completely understood. The most popular story says that the airframes were pre-sold by the importer (Stan Booker) to buyers in the US, but the airframes were held up on the docks in California by Customs.
Somehow the airframes were subsequently sold in a single batch to Cavalier, but I don't know how/why the original sales didn't end up being completed.
Sat Aug 19, 2006 9:04 pm
a68-1 left australia several years after the others as the australian owner hoped to get it flying down here,unfortunatly it was not to be.
ironicly after several years of fighting the local caa it was sold but within weeks of it leaving the caa approved a permit to fly it
paul
ironicly after several years of fighting the local caa it was sold but within weeks of it leaving the caa approved a permit to fly it
paul
Sat Aug 19, 2006 9:19 pm
Randy Haskin wrote:Somehow the airframes were subsequently sold in a single batch to Cavalier, but I don't know how/why the original sales didn't end up being completed.
I think there were some type issues with US flying of CAC built aircraft, rather like some aspects of CanCar Harvards in the USA.
As you say, Randy, there's been some good stories published, one by Derek MacPhail in Warbirds Worldwide on the Emu machines; however there's also a fair amount that'll never be published for legal 'let's pretend and forget' reasons.
Still you can tell which parts and aircraft are ex-Emu; just push into an unlit hangar, and see which glow in the dark!
