P-51D-20-NT Dove of Peace from NZ to Australia

[ErrolC]

After a brief spell with the RAAF A68-674 44-13016 was in private Australian hands until 1984 when the project was shipped to California. Flew in the USA from 1992 until sold to Robert Broek (Wanaka NZ) in 2004, where it often displayed at Warbirds Over Wanaka events. Now transferred (VH-LUI) to Doug Hamilton of Wangaratta VIC (currently overnighting on Norfolk Is in the Tasman Sea).
In return 1937 Lockheed 12A Electra Junior c/n 1262 has already arrived in Wanaka, and a 1938 Beech D-17S Staggerwing will arrive soon.
Here is Dove of Peace doing its Empire of the Sun pass at Wanaka 2018

P-51D Mustang 'Dove of Peace' by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

[JohnTerrell]

With it going to Victoria, Australia, it is going back to very near, within a few miles of, the same location it arrived at when new in 1945, freshly delivered to the RAAF, and where it was later stored for some twenty years before the RAAF put it up for disposal.

[C170BDan]

After a brief spell with the RAAF A68-674 44-13016 was in private Australian hands until 1984 when the project was shipped to California. Flew in the USA from 1992 until sold to Robert Broek (Wanaka NZ) in 2004, where it often displayed at Warbirds Over Wanaka events. Now transferred (VH-LUI) to Doug Hamilton of Wangaratta VIC (currently overnighting on Norfolk Is in the Tasman Sea).
In return 1937 Lockheed 12A Electra Junior c/n 1262 has already arrived in Wanaka

So did the Lockheed 12A get a new owner? I would like to update my web site listing for 1262.

Thanks

[ErrolC]

After a brief spell with the RAAF A68-674 44-13016 was in private Australian hands until 1984 when the project was shipped to California. Flew in the USA from 1992 until sold to Robert Broek (Wanaka NZ) in 2004, where it often displayed at Warbirds Over Wanaka events. Now transferred (VH-LUI) to Doug Hamilton of Wangaratta VIC (currently overnighting on Norfolk Is in the Tasman Sea).
In return 1937 Lockheed 12A Electra Junior c/n 1262 has already arrived in Wanaka

So did the Lockheed 12A get a new owner? I would like to update my web site listing for 1262.

Thanks

Not on the NZ register yet, but to Robert Broek. The Mustang was held by his Mustang Flights Wanaka Limited.

http://www.warbirdsoverwanaka.com/2024- ... ts-wanaka/
https://aviation.govt.nz/aircraft/aircr ... er-search/

[Zac Yates]

With it going to Victoria, Australia, it is going back to very near, within a few miles of, the same location it arrived at when new in 1945, freshly delivered to the RAAF, and where it was later stored for some twenty years before the RAAF put it up for disposal.

That is very, very cool to know! I'm hoping she gets an RAAF repaint in due course: she's gone to a very good home.

[JohnTerrell]

Piloted by Stephen Death, Dove of Peace has arrived safely at her new home at Wangaratta. The Mustang's new owner, Doug Hamilton, joined up with the aircraft on its arrival into Wangaratta, flying his P-40N.

Although there are several CAC-built Mustangs flying in Australia that saw service with the RAAF, this is the only ex-RAAF North American Aviation-built P-51 now flying in Australia.

Here are some photos shared on Precision Airmotive's Facebook page (Precision Airmotive is of course also owned by Doug Hamilton):

https://scontent.ffcm1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/ ... e=62B26AE0

https://scontent.ffcm1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/ ... e=62B337BC

https://scontent.ffcm1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/ ... e=62B3A93E

https://scontent.ffcm1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/ ... e=62B1F30E

[Zac Yates]

this is the only ex-RAAF North American Aviation-built P-51 now flying in Australia.

Possibly a silly question: what happened to The Flying Undertaker?

[oz rb fan]

i'ts still here but isn't ex RAAF....this is the only ex RAAF
p51d in the country.....i think one or two more overseas though(including Strega)

[Brenden S]

CAC Mustang
A68-1 N51WB USA Wiley Sanders Troy AL
A68-5 GINFO UK Phil Earthy Under Restoration
A68-39 N551D USA Jack Erickson Medford OR
A68-71 CA17 VH-VID MACPHAIL, Derek GISBORNE   VIC Under restoration
A68-100 N51AB USA Steve Craig Lawrence Ks
A68-104 VH-BOB EASTGATE, Robert MOONEE PONDS  VIC
A68-105 VH-JUC Judy Pay Tyabb Vic
A68-107 VH-AUB PAY, Ross Scone NSW
A68-110 A68-769 VH-MFT MUSTANG PTY LTD CABOOLTURE AIRPORT  QLD
A68-118 VH-AGJ TRAPPETT, Jeffrey MORWELL   VIC
A68-137 VH-PPV RAAF Musum point cook
A68-170 CA-18 VH-SVU RAAF MUSEUM RAAF WILLIAMS, POINT COOK   VIC
A68-175 N51DT USA Rod Lewis       San Antonio Tx
A68-187 N50FS (Rod Lewis) "La Pistolera
A68-192 D-FBBD Germany Crashed 2011
A68-198 N286JB/F-AZIE USA Hudson Flight LLC       Pampa Tx
A68-199 CA-18 VH-URZ Shaun Brown Sydney NSW
A68-200 Parts in Australia?
A68-603 N3024T Fast Toys For Boys Inc     Wa
A68-605 44-12844 N45455 Cal Pacific Airmotive Inc     Salinas, Ca
A68-641 P-51D-20-NT 44-12853 Tom Reilly USA
A68-644 N3065J x: Provenance Fighters
A68-648 AWM Canberra Canberra ACT
A68-656 44-13122 N4694V American Aero Corp
A68-661 parts? 44-13000 N3024T Fast Toys For Boys Inc       Wa American Aero Corp
A68-667 44-13007 N4692V American Aero Corp
A68-669 44-13010 N4699V American Aero Corp
A68-671 44-13012 N4698V American Aero Corp
A68-672 44-13013 N4690V American Aero Corp
A68-673 44-13014 N4696V American Aero Corp
A68-674 VH-LUI Painted as “44-13016 Dove of Peace” and actually is 44-13016
A68-675 44-13017 N4689V American Aero Corp
A68-679 N71FT Bill Destefani
A68-687 N31RK Went to TNI-AU and now in USA to be restored
A68-699 Under restoration in the USA somewhere?
A68-706 N541D BAKER ROBERT S ALVA , OKLAHOMA
A68-709 44-84414 N4684V American Aero Corp
A68-732 44-84735 N4685V American Aero Corp
A68-750 stored in California USA, pending restoration
A68-780 44-84814 N4678V American Aero Corp
A68-804 To Bolivian Air Force as FAB-502. Apparently back to the USA
A68-810 N305PM To Bolivian Air Force as FAB-501. Apparently back to the USA
A68-813 To Bolivian Air Force as FAB-503. Apparently back to the USA


North American P-51 Mustang
45-11526 P-51D VH-FST Bishop Aviation Archerfield QLD

[JohnTerrell]

There is nothing inaccurate with my previous statement.

Right now there are eight Mustangs based at and flying in Australia, and "Dove of Peace" (P-51D-20-NT 44-13016) is the only North American Aviation-produced example among those flying in Australia that also served with the RAAF, given the RAAF serial no. A68-674.

Of the other seven Mustangs flying in Australia, there are six CAC-built examples that all served with the RAAF (serial no.'s A68-105, A68-107, A68-110, A68-118, A68-170, A68-199), and another North American Aviation-produced P-51D, 45-11526, with no RAAF history.

Last edited by JohnTerrell on Fri Jun 24, 2022 8:45 am, edited 1 time in total.

[OZFURYFAN]

Hi Brendan, A68-199 now has the rego VH-BOZ which is the same reg it had when flying for Fawcett Aviation in Aust many years ago

[JohnTerrell]

An updated and condensed version of the list posted by Brenden:

RAAF CAC-built Mustangs
A68-1 N51WB Wiley Sanders estate - USA (Flying)
A68-5 G-ARKD Classic Flying Machine Collection - UK (Restoration)
A68-39 N551D Jack Erickson - USA (Flying)
A68-71 VH-VID Australian National Aviation Museum - Australia (Restoration)
A68-100 N51AB Private Owner - Germany (Flying)
A68-104 VH-BOB Bob Eastgate estate - Australia (Restoration)
A68-105 VH-JUC Judy Pay - Australia (Flying)
A68-107 VH-AUB Ross Pay - Australia (Flying)
A68-110 VH-MFT Mustang Pty Ltd Caboolture - Australia (Flying)
A68-118 VH-AGJ Jeff Trappett - Australia (Flying)
A68-137 VH-PPV RAAF Museum Point Cook - Australia (Storage)
A68-170 VH-SVU RAAF Museum No. 100 Squadron - Australia (Flying)
A68-175 N51DT James Goodwin - USA (Flying)
A68-187 N50FS Rod Lewis - USA (Flying)
A68-198 N286JB Fesco LTD - USA (Flying)
A68-199 VH-BOZ Shaun Browne - Australia (Flying)

RAAF North American Aviation-built Mustangs
A68-603 (44-12870) N3024T Fast Toys For Boys Inc - USA (Restoration)
A68-605 (44-12844) N45455 Cal Pacific Airmotive Inc - USA (Restoration)
A68-641 (44-12853) N4793 Tom Reilly - USA (Restoration)
A68-648 (44-13106) Australian War Memorial - Australia (Static Display)
A68-674 (44-13016) VH-LUI Doug Hamilton - Australia (Flying)
A68-679 (44-13105) N71FT Bill Destefani - USA (Flying)
A68-687 (44-13009) Richard Knowlton - USA (Storage/Restoration?)

...and many more parts/paperwork identities/potential projects.

Last edited by JohnTerrell on Fri Jun 24, 2022 5:33 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[Hooligan2]

An updated and condensed version of the list posted by Brenden:
...and many more parts/paperwork identities/potential projects.

Does anyone know if A68-192/D-FBBD is likely to reappear after its spectacular crash at Duxford in 2011? Mustangs seem to reappear from less...!

[Zac Yates]

i'ts still here but isn't ex RAAF

There is nothing inaccurate with my previous statement.

Right now there are eight Mustangs based at and flying in Australia[...]and another North American Aviation-produced P-51D, 45-11526, with no RAAF history.

Apologies gents, I forgot she has no RAAF history hence my confusion.

[oz rb fan]

all good Zak...to be honest she's one mustang i have been hoping would come home...A68-679 (Strega) is way too modified