Warbird Information Exchange

Unrestored, but definitely not "original" (as in "factory issued"). Aside from the updated antennas, it has a later cuffless prop.

That original (-ish) cockpit is spectacular, though. I'm kinda hoping that whoever buys it decides to keep it as "original" as possible, doing only what's absolutely necessary for reliable and safe operation and flight.

Thanks for posting this!

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=69022

Here we go again...

Phil

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A man's got to know his limitations.

... with more photos.

Didn't notice the first thread .... not sure how that happened.

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Zero Surprise!!...

Interesting. I'm splitting hairs but the cockpit is not "original". A definite avionice upgrade with (apparently) to com radios, an audio panel with 3 light marker beacon, localizer with glideslope, ADF, DME and a Century III autopilot. All that stuff can go in a museum now.

C2j

A strange claim, presumably aimed to sell, but the term is meaningless in this case. There are P-51s out there that have been 'untouched' for longer periods and this one (I assume) is aimed at sounding like it's a WW2-era aircraft you'd be buying. That's clearly not the case and I'm sure there will be many other P-51s out there that haven't been touched since 1983, when this one last flew.

For the first ~year that the ad ran, all the pictures were taken inside the barn so its good to finally see pictures of the plane outside.
But it would have been nice if they had squirted it off with a hose, too.

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remember the Oogahonk!
old school enthusiast of Civiltary Warbirds and Air Racers

Playing devil's advocate. The ad is worded to draw in buyers. The truth is the airplane is unrestored - "untouched" since its last military service.

Anyone with $4.5M in his/her pocket to buy this will understand what s/he's getting.

...and hopefully leave it as found. Anyone can throw money at a 'restoration' but it takes intelligence and a bit of savvy to leave it alone. It can be restored many times but it will only be 'untouched' (with reservations on that term) once.

The car restoration field understand this already and thanks to epics such as Flak Bait we are also getting there.

The dust gives it that barn find mystique. If you wash it, then you will see the wear and tear on the paint, mismatched touch up by the military, etc. Someone will step forward and it will probably be a new name that wants to have it restored and have the "best Mustang in the world."

It would be really neat to see it restored in its Guatemalan markings, and a great tribute to its long career.

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I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw.

I like that drab camouflage scheme.

I'm sure there's a snowball's chance in hell that it's next owner will keep it that way, but it's very mean looking and a nice change from the usual shiny and colorful 8th AF homages.

All of the other ex-Guatemalan/Connie Edwards Mustangs, that were of identical state, of course became fantastic restorations - "Miss Marylin II", "February" (now "Hun Hunter ~ Texas"), "Red Dog XII", and "Happy Jack's Go Buggy".

**Double Post**

If I were personally footing the bill for acquisition and restoration...... I would like to see it done in a "factory fresh" manner.....Exactly as it rolled off the assembly line with its actual serial number on the tail, full armor plates, correct paint, etc etc etc. Like it was sitting on the ramp right outside the factory. But thats me.

Agreed, the factory fresh mirror look always seems so nice until it starts to fade over time.

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Zero Surprise!!...