Warbird Information Exchange

There appears to be quite a few Mustangs that listed James H. Defuria & Fred J. Ritts/Interconinental Airways as their first owners who acquired the aircraft. I'm curious as to any background information them.

These were the gents that bought so many of the former RCAF mustangs at the auction in Carberry, Manitoba, in 1962. That is why when you looking up the histories of the various airframes they names often come up.

Mike

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Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
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Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

Thanks Mike! It was probably at a ridiculously low auction price when looked at what their value is now.

Several of these ex-RCAF Mustantgs, which came through Canastota, NY, ended up serving with the Guatemalan Air Force.

The problem with some of them has been almost forever, to get a good serial number match.

Any data on them is very much sought after.

Saludos,


Tulio

I've seen examples of the amazing sealed bid Mustang auction prices from McClellan AFB in the late 50's.

What kind of prices were paid for the RCAF P-51s?

Were they individual sealed bid as well?

What kind of prices were fetched for the Navy fighters (F7Fs, and F8Fs) out of Litchfield Park, AZ?


(I'm tightening the last few bolts on my time machine now, so need to know).

I know someone who has copies of the paperwork, but he is on vacation. I'll ask and reply eventually.

Mike

_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

Thanks Mike. I'm interested in seeing what those prices were as well.

I see i'm about 10 years late to the party.....but here is your answer:

http://www.lipad.ca/full/1961/06/13/26/#2124487

Thanks for the info on prices. I have searched for years . Had plenty of answers from people who were suppose to be " in the know" but never confirmed.

The Mustangs were sold off to the US civilian market by Aero Enterprises of Elkhart, IN. On an individual basis the buyers I've spoken to all tell me that they paid $8,000,- for the P-51s. Does anyone here have old Trade-a-Plane issues from 1960 to 1964, and can have a look to see if they advertised their stuff there?

T J

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Make my day, punk!

I read somewhere that Defuria had bought as many as 87 of the RCAF 51's (ill look for the link). But in the meantime, here is a fascinating article from just a few months back that eludes to some pretty interesting accusations as far as creating a mercenary air force to be supplied to third world countries. I cant wait until the follow up article is published. http://warbirdsintlnow.com/issue-spread ... TheyGo.pdf

sorry, they purchased "71 of the 87" 51's sold as RCAF surplus. http://www.planesandchoppers.com/pictur ... r14325.asp

According to Lynn Garrisons Wiki page, he was contracted to deliver the following to Defuria: "In 1960, Garrison obtained a contract to ferry 75 P-51 Mustang aircraft, retired from RCAF service, to their new owners in New York. Milt Harradence, took time off from his law practice to accompany Garrison on the trips. Flying without radios for much of the time, they navigated by following the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks eastward. Harradence and Garrison acquired two Mustangs as part of their compensation and registered them "CF-LOR" and "CF-LOQ";[2] the first of their type registered in Canada"

Very interesting story.

I interviewed one ferry pilot who said he got $20 and dinner for the job.