Mustang A68-1

Ken · **Posted:** Sat Dec 20, 2008 11:07 am

Per Keith's request:

'01 or '02

Fall '08

Neal Nurmi · **Posted:** Sat Dec 20, 2008 3:19 pm

I have always thought it a real shame that this painting was destroyed. Who did the original U. S. restoration before Levitz bought the airplane? It was truly flawless -- surely one of the best restorations of the time...

T J Johansen · **Posted:** Sat Dec 20, 2008 8:19 pm

Cool to see the photos of this P-51. I guess they are shot in Wiley Sanders hangar? Does he fly his stuff much these days? I have never seen this a/c in the flesh, let alone cockpit shots before, but just love the 1970s "cat house" interior. Do you by any chance have a photo of the back seat configuration?

Neal; As I haven't seen this a/c I wasn't even aware that the kangaroo art has gone. Too bad, it looked really cool. I also think you will find that N51WB was rebuilt by Darrel Skurich for the Whittingtons.

T J

JDK · **Posted:** Sat Dec 20, 2008 8:23 pm

Quote:

A68-1 CA-17 Mk.20 1326
NA110-34366 n/a Shipped to Australia in sets of parts to start the production line. First CA-17 Mk.20, Delivered 1 AD ex CAC on 04/06/45. To 1 APU 04/07/45. First Flight 05/46. Damaged when tail wheel retracted during landing on 14/12/48. Was a part of the EMU Nuclear Tests. Sold 31/03/53. Still Flying in the USA as N51WB.

http://www.adf-serials.com/

Neal Nurmi · **Posted:** Sat Dec 20, 2008 9:26 pm

Well, I should probably know enough to keep my keyboard shut after my recent B-26K experience, but I believe she had a belly landing in the early 80s that wiped out the gear doors...

She sure was an awfully nice airplane when I saw her through the 80s, plus I really like some of the people who were involved with her in her Reno years.

Thanks for the rebuilder information -- I'd always wondered that...

warbird1 · **Joined:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:25 pm **Posts:** 2760

JDK wrote:

Quote:

A68-1 CA-17 Mk.20 1326
NA110-34366 n/a Shipped to Australia in sets of parts to start the production line. First CA-17 Mk.20, Delivered 1 AD ex CAC on 04/06/45. To 1 APU 04/07/45. First Flight 05/46. Damaged when tail wheel retracted during landing on 14/12/48. Was a part of the EMU Nuclear Tests. Sold 31/03/53. Still Flying in the USA as N51WB.

http://www.adf-serials.com/

I remember reading an article in A.C. a long time ago in the late 70's or early 80's talking about all of the Mustangs that took part in the Nuclear blast tests. Does anyone know if this is still a radioactively "hot" airplane? Has anyone actually done a dossimeter test on it? Anyone know any info on this? What about any of the other Mustang's that were part of those nuclear tests and are still flying? Are they "hot" too?

marine air · **Posted:** Sat Dec 20, 2008 11:05 pm

I thought it had a Whittington connection. What sticks out is the chrome valve covers, chrome landing gear struts and of course the red leather interior and polished blades. They even chromed the landing gear on at least one of their Bearcats!

T J Johansen · **Posted:** Sun Dec 21, 2008 10:02 am

warbird1 wrote:

I remember reading an article in A.C. a long time ago in the late 70's or early 80's talking about all of the Mustangs that took part in the Nuclear blast tests. Does anyone know if this is still a radioactively "hot" airplane? Has anyone actually done a dossimeter test on it? Anyone know any info on this? What about any of the other Mustang's that were part of those nuclear tests and are still flying? Are they "hot" too?

I too remember that article. Pioneer Aero Service at Chino had a set of ex- Australian wings as part of their cache in the early 90s. Don't think any tests had been done on them, but at least they didn't glow in the dark...

Neal Nurmi wrote:

Well, I should probably know enough to keep my keyboard shut after my recent B-26K experience, but I believe she had a belly landing in the early 80s that wiped out the gear doors...

She sure was an awfully nice airplane when I saw her through the 80s, plus I really like some of the people who were involved with her in her Reno years.

Thanks for the rebuilder information -- I'd always wondered that...

According to the Warbirds Directory the a/c had a forced landing in Rockford, IL in April 84. However, there is no match in the NTSB archives. Seeing as you have shot most of the old racers, have you got any of the late Dave Norland's #76 "No Name Dame" from 1976 when it wore a white spinner?

T J

Hal B · **Posted:** Sun Dec 21, 2008 1:42 pm

T J Johansen wrote:

I have never seen this a/c in the flesh, let alone cockpit shots before, but just love the 1970s "cat house" interior. Do you by any chance have a photo of the back seat configuration?

T J

Sorry TJ, but IMHO that interior is enough to gag a maggot :vom:

Thank God they don't build 'em that way anymore.

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Sun Dec 21, 2008 2:42 pm

All that missing from the interior is a 8 track and a pair of fuzzy dice :shock:

Keith Gaff · **Posted:** Sun Dec 21, 2008 3:56 pm

Mustang A68-1 was one of six Mustangs sent to Emu Claypan in South Australia where they were used as targets for two British Atom Bomb Tests in October 1953. They were set up on a replica airfield relatively close to the bomb site to assess damage from the detonations. Surprisingly they came through with little damage but they remained in the desert until 1967 when they were put up for tender. A syndicate headed by Peter Hookway, Tony Schwerdt and Stan Booker purchased the aircraft. A68-1 shown here was found to be able to be restored to ferry condition and Schwerdt flew the aircraft out of Emu to Coober Pedy without permission, incurring the everlasting wrath of the Dept of Civil Aviation. Before that he had never flown a Mustang in his life. Schwerdt tried to have A68-1 registered in Australia but it was not allowed. Eventually all six aircraft went to the U.S. where A68-1 still flies in a spurious colour scheme as Mustang A68-1001 which was the P51D sent to Australia as the pattern aircraft for production by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation. It was finished in overall olive drab and grey; not the camouflage scheme on the aircraft.[/img]

Neal Nurmi · **Posted:** Mon Dec 22, 2008 1:09 pm

T J -- No Norland from Reno 76. That was my very first Reno -- the only one I ever spent sitting in the stands. I was just taking recreational photos and knew nothing, so was mesmerised by the Red Baron, Precious Metal, Sumthin Else sorts and it would never have occurred to me to try to be comprehensive....

Ken · **Posted:** Mon Aug 01, 2016 11:06 am

Saw this related thread and decided to bump it.

http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.o ... p?p=522504

Badman · **Joined:** Wed Feb 14, 2007 6:05 pm **Posts:** 69

I remember reading an article in A.C. a long time ago in the late 70's or early 80's talking about all of the Mustangs that took part in the Nuclear blast tests. Does anyone know if this is still a radioactively "hot" airplane? Has anyone actually done a dossimeter test on it? Anyone know any info on this? What about any of the other Mustang's that were part of those nuclear tests and are still flying? Are they "hot" too?[/quote]

I think Strega is still pretty "hot"

avenger2504 · **Posted:** Sun Aug 07, 2016 12:52 am

Any particular reason she was painted up as "A68-1001" and not her correct and very historical A68-1?

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Mustang A68-1

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