Mustang delivered to Museum

[Ewan]

Finally got some winter sun which was great timing as we finally completed stage one of the Mustang Project today.

After a year of fundraising we paid the $250K to the owner, Derek MacPhail and he gave us the keys so to speak ! A convoy of cars, trailers and a truck picked up the sections today and brought them back to Morabbin. Over the coming weeks we will assess areas that require any structural repair (small bend in one wingtip from an earlier mishap) and then get to work. This joins the list of other projects being worked on including the DC-3, Catalina, P-40, Boomerang and Wackett trainer which are all moving forward.

Pics below of the pickup this morning. Will post some progress shots as we start work etc

Thank you to everyone who supported this, it's a huge achievement for a volunteer group.

Cheers

[Zac Yates]

Just awesome. Bravo! Lost for words with this very cool sight.

[Pogo]

^^^ Yeah, he said it! I can only imaging looking up and seeing your little convoy going by ... I'd have a heart attack!

[Stephen Rister]

This might be A68-071/VH-VID. Will she be a flyer?

Stephen

[Ewan]

This might be A68-071/VH-VID. Will she be a flyer?

Stephen

Indeed it is A68-071. The third oldest Australian built Mustang in existence (other two are in USA) so it is now the oldest remaining here in Australia.

We made the decision long ago at the Museum to keep the exhibits static, but also set as many up as we could as ground runners or even taxi aircraft. The reason being that while flying them would be awesome, too many are among the rarest or oldest surviving of their kind, and a prang would mean their loss forever. Oh, and the regulations and insurance for a volunteer organisation would be too prohibitive.
When we do ground run them on special days, the look of joy on visitors faces (along with hands over ears) as we run them up at close quarters makes up for the lack of flyers.

Cheers

[Ewan]

We got the wings out into the sun today and cleaned them down prior to surveying. The original 1946 stencils and paint are still on there but coming off in many places. No wasting time though, we have lots of work to do !