P-51D Paint Job... Am I seeing things or what?

CraigBirkhold · **Joined:** Mon Apr 02, 2007 9:51 pm **Posts:** 64

Last night I pulled into the runup pad for 26L at Atlanta Hartsfield airport. While waiting my turn for takeoff I looked over at the east end of the Delta Airlines Maintenance Hangar and noticed a very out of place object. It was a P-51D that had all the paint stripped off and was masked off waiting a new paint job. Anybody out there know which P-51D it is and why it is in the Delta paint shop? :roll:

Just curious,
Craig

The Inspector · **Posted:** Mon Jan 30, 2012 11:32 pm

Dunno, I did hear that DELTA might take a run at either US SCARE or even AMR :roll:

JohnTerrell · **Posted:** Tue Jan 31, 2012 12:41 am

That would be the CAF Dixie Wing's P-51 "Old Red Nose", getting some new paint. My guess would be that Delta offered to donate the paint, or perhaps provide a special deal for the service. Said to be keeping same paint scheme, to continue to recognize the aircraft's heritage with the CAF, and continue to honor the 4th FG. Nose art will also be added, according to the Dixie Wing.

I wonder just how many CAF pilots and members are Delta employees.

hang the expense · **Posted:** Tue Jan 31, 2012 12:55 am

I remember this was a common sight back in the late sixties and early seventies? with a place called Mustangs unlimited.Thats when airports were very exciting for a young guy who loved warbirds.Skipping school and hanging out at the hangar all day.

hbtcoveralls · **Joined:** Sun Jan 03, 2010 9:51 pm **Posts:** 151

It's the Dixie wing CAF. Last year Delta painted their Dauntless and this year they're doing the Mustang. There are a few more photos at the Dixie wing's site http://dw.squawk1200.net/.
Tom Bowers

Rauhbatz · **Posted:** Tue Jan 31, 2012 5:55 am

That's our bird! If the Dauntless is any indication the finish should be stunning...

Delta last night held a nice tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen....don't know if they towed our bird over for the event...will ask our wing lead

the330thbg · **Joined:** Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:06 pm **Posts:** 2713

My favorite Dauntless paint job.., EVER!!!

Way to go DELTA for donating to a great, great cause!!

Mudge · **Posted:** Tue Jan 31, 2012 8:47 am

hang the expense wrote:

I remember this was a common sight back in the late sixties and early seventies? with a place called Mustangs unlimited.Thats when airports were very exciting for a young guy who loved warbirds.Skipping school and hanging out at the hangar all day.

And here I thought I was the only one who did that. :drink3:

Mudge the truant :hide:

CraigBirkhold · **Joined:** Mon Apr 02, 2007 9:51 pm **Posts:** 64

That's great news to hear "OLD RED NOSE" is getting refreshed with a new paint job. It was time for that to happen and I am glad it is being put back in the same colors. I didn't know that Delta was willing to help out with such a great cause. Guess it goes to show that a corporation is capable of doing a really nice thing. By the way, it really is a great place to work. Two thumbs up for Delta Airlines! :supz:

Django · **Posted:** Tue Jan 31, 2012 12:04 pm

Soon to be my new favorite Mustang...

me109g4 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 31, 2012 12:35 pm

Well maybe next time someone here flies somewhere, give Delta the business, show them some support.

Alan Brooks · **Posted:** Tue Jan 31, 2012 1:57 pm

Me thinks Django may be holding out on us? Is this the P-51 you were referring to a few weeks ago? :wink:

alan

Rod Schneider · **Posted:** Tue Jan 31, 2012 3:31 pm

Having a P-51 in our hangar is kinda neat! I escorted the plane down the Delta TechOps ramp when he taxied in. A Mustang among all those big jets tends to draw a bit of attention

Sasquatch · **Posted:** Tue Jan 31, 2012 3:45 pm

the330thbg wrote:

My favorite Dauntless paint job.., EVER!!!

Way to go DELTA for donating to a great, great cause!!

Any idea where that photo was taken? Looks South Pacific or so...Midway maybe?

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P-51D Paint Job... Am I seeing things or what?

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