Warbird Information Exchange

Hi!

I am trying to confirm serial numbers for the following (keeping in mind that these ex-RCAF machines could have received new i.d.s somewhere through their lives, or through Trans Florida):

FAG-366 RCAF 9225 back to the USA as N74190

FAG-369 RCAF 9600 from TF Aircraft as N9151R (44-74459?)

FAG-372 RCAF 9268 from TF Aircraft as N9152R (44-74831?)

FAG-375 RCAF 9272 from TF Aircraft as N9147R (44-74854?)

Saludos!


Tulio

I agree with your serials for FAG 369, 372, and 375.

The three TFA-brokered aircraft (44-74459/N9151R, 44-74831/N9152R, and 44-74854/N9147R) were simply bare airframes sold to the FAG. There was no hocus-pocus with the serials or modification to the aircraft before sale on 20 Feb 1962.

The aircraft were, apparently, illegally delivered to Guatemala, though. The airplanes filed flight plans for "test flights" off the Florida coast on that day, but somehow magically ended up in Guatemala.

...quoting from my own website....

Seen here at the TFA facility at Sarasota, FL, during October 1961, this Mustang carrying civil registration N9152R soon was to change into military colors again, becoming FAG-372 upon delivery to Guatemala in February 1962. Former 44-74831 and RCAF-9268, its ultimate fate in Guatemala is unknown.



I have a couple of other photos (negs !) taken at the same time at Sarasota - will scan them

Randy & Tulio watch your inbox for high rez scans later tonight

Martin

Thanks Martin...great work, as usual!

According to Griffin's Canadian Military Aircraft

RACF 9225 was 44-74452 c/n 122-40992 SOC 29.4.58 and sold 'Defuria'

RACF 9600 was 44-74459A c/n 122-40999 SOC 15.10.59 and sold 'Trans Florida' - Dunno what the A in the USAAF Serial was supposed to mean

RACF 9268 was 44-74831 c/n 122-41371 SOC 15.10.59 and sold 'Trans Florida'

RCAF 9272 was 44-74854 c/n 122-41394 SOC 15.10.59 and sold 'Trans Florida'

Any idea as to the source of those "struck off charge" dates? I have those three aircraft being sold to TFA on 20 May 1959.

Thank you, guys!

I have been following a rumor regarding Mustang frames and components in a dump near Guatemala City, but it looks like I as usual, arrived too late to be able to do anything about them . . .


Saludos,


Tulio

Randy - I have observed similar discrepancies when the Swiss AF received their P-51's in 1948 - the actual delivery / date of sale often took place before the official s.o.c. date -

IMHO this is due to the fact that the IAR's were not updated on a daily basis, and the person responsible for keeping the records straight just entered the date when the amendment eventually was recorded.

Martin

Was this P-51D from the same bunch at Sarasota?



I got the copy from a customer at my print shop in Pasadena about 15 years ago - all I remember was that he was from South America and also had a couple shots of Jungmeister LV-HHM.

_________________

All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

The photo seems to be one of the Salvadoran Mustangs, but I have no access to data files right now.


Saludos,


Tulio

nope - not one of those



nope - not one of those either...


the story of this a/c from Dick Phillips files: 44-74978

Last saw US service with the 182nd FS, Texas ANG. Transferred to Costa Rica via the Reimbursable Air Program directly from the Texas Air National Guard. It was delivered to the Guardia Civil on 16 January 1955 by USAF pilots. It became aircraft #4. This mustang was sold to the MACO Corporation on 31 March 1964. It was registered N6169U. Later it was reregistered as N74978 in order to match its military serial number. The aircraft sat derelict at Mojave, California for a number of years until returned to flying condition in 1984. N74978 was destroyed in a hangar fire in June 1988.

Martin

N6169U also featured in an episode of the CBS TV series Cannon filmed at El Mirage CA in 1971

_________________
shuck

The only photo I have found so far, is this very poor quality shot, that shows Costa Rican Mustang Nr. 4 in the background.

Courtesy of Dr. Gary Kuhn.





Saludos,


Tulio

Another shot of a group of FAG's Mustangs: