Owning a Real P-51

[Tom Allensworth 1,532]

A friend of mine, Mike Aitchison, who lives in Canberra, Australia, had been restoring a Spitfire MK V. He and his partner recently decided to acquire this beauty below. She is currently based at Melbourne and Mike thinks she'll be moved to Adelaide. She's been modified to seat two, as you can tell by the modified canopy. Her paint job has been changed since these photos were taken; the advertising has been removed, and some other changes. She has 180 hours on her since restoration or engine rebuild (I am a bit fuzzy on that one). Anyway, Mike has graciously invited me for a spin in her next time I am in Australia. I am really looking forward to that!

http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/146302.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/146303.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/146304.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/146305.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/146306.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/146307.jpg

[Guest Ken_Salter]

That cockpit looks pristine!

[LAdamson 240]

It's certainly a "ride" you'd never want to pass up!!! :D Back in the 90's a retired airline captain that I had known for a few years, took me up in his. His advice was to remove my headset to get the full effect of the "sound" on the takeoff roll. It was like continuous shotgun blasts coming from the Merlin! Sure a great ride, and something I'll never forget! Included is a pic of this P-51. Russ McDonald, the P51's owner, passed away a little over a year ago. I'm just glad he gave many of us the experience of flight in an airplane of this type.http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/146308.jpgL.Adamson

[John_Cillis 2,406]

Great post Tom... Looks like it would be a blast to fly!-John

[Tom Allensworth 1,532]

John, I hope to find out. Now I have to find an excuse to get to Adelaide rather than usual haunts of Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne. :)

[Jeff Nielsen 1,385]

WOW! Somone's got some money...lol. A Spit and a P51? What's next? A Corsair? hehe.Nice shots.

[Tom Allensworth 1,532]

I do believe that Mike and his partner, Peter, sold the Spit in order to get the P-51. Don't know that for sure, but his email hinted at that. From the pictures I saw of the Spit, it was a long way from flying again and in fact, was spread all over Australia and New Zealand. Mike was ready to "go flying" in his warbird as they say. Mike also owns another biplane that he flies out of Canberra. Next time I am there (next month most likely) I need to beg a ride in that one too. :)

[Jeff Nielsen 1,385]

rgr that, it sounds like a lot of fun. It's good to see people putting their money to good use! Too bad we can't restore more of them.

[tf51d 284]

Tom: It will be an experience of a lifetime! You'll love it. For a preview check out my videos of my flight on Crazy Horse (TF-51D Mustang) on my web page below!! I had the opportunity to take this flight back in 1996. I'd love to be able to do it again sometime!!Tom