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P-51B

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Michael Schumacher

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Nov 10, 1993, 11:26:00 AM11/10/93
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Hi, Im planning to build a scale model of a P-51B Mustang. For reference
purposes I am looking for a original plane of that type. I would prefer a
natural metal finished plane, but all colours are ok!
And because I don't want to travel around the world, a location in Europe,
or even better Germany would be best, but is not implied.

thanks in advance, Michael

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hor...@hulaw1.harvard.edu

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Nov 13, 1993, 9:40:46 AM11/13/93
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In article <5C_8M...@minimal.novalis.public.sub.org>, mi...@minimal.novalis.public.sub.org (Michael Schumacher) writes:
> Hi, Im planning to build a scale model of a P-51B Mustang. For reference
> purposes I am looking for a original plane of that type. I would prefer a
> natural metal finished plane, but all colours are ok!
> And because I don't want to travel around the world, a location in Europe,
> or even better Germany would be best, but is not implied.

Sorry, but you'll not only have to cross the Pond, but North America as
well. The only P-51B/C's on regular display are in California.

The Smithsonian's P-51B (modified into a Bendix racer) is displayed at
the Los Angeles Aerospace Museum in Exposition Park, Los Angeles.

Joe Kasparov's P-51C (stock, but in red racing colors) is based in
Van Nuys, CA, I think; it's not usually displayed, but makes it to Reno
and to a few air shows on the west coast.

Kermit Weeks has an unrestored B or C in Florida that is not displayed.

August <hor...@hulaw1.harvard.edu>

Robert J. Granvin

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Nov 13, 1993, 11:45:58 AM11/13/93
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Kermit's is a C and currently in California being restored (which is why
it was spared the hurricane which otherwise destroyed much of his
collection).

We also have an unrestored C in Minnesota (available for inspection).
Our C will be finished in natural aluminum in the colors of the 332nd
Fighter Group (Tuskegee Airmen).

Before quivering about C vs. B, they are essentially identical aircraft.
The only difference is where they were built. The B's were built in
California and the C's in Texas (or something like that :-). There were
a lot fewer C's built than any other Mustang (around 840).

There are many photos of Mustangs available, a few even natural
aluminum. The Smithsonian has many photos available of the 332nd,
for example (so do I) as well as many other aircraft.

As far as having to wander across the pond, no choice. There are only
4 C model Mustangs in existence and they are all here. I believe the
same situation exists for the B.

--
\\ Robert J. Granvin User Services Specialist
// School of Statistics - University of Minnesota r...@stat.umn.edu

J.P. Hillenburg

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Nov 13, 1993, 12:02:57 PM11/13/93
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> Sorry, but you'll not only have to cross the Pond, but North America as
> well. The only P-51B/C's on regular display are in California.
>
> The Smithsonian's P-51B (modified into a Bendix racer) is displayed at
> the Los Angeles Aerospace Museum in Exposition Park, Los Angeles.

Not. I was at the Smithsonian in Washington not too long ago and
they had a P-51 on static display...

--
Joseph Hillenburg (xterm), NPS Technologies, Bloomington, Indiana
UUCP: j...@anaconda.Bloomington.IN.US \ /
"My OTHER computer is a CM-5" +----o0o----+
Long live the Hornet

cl13...@ulkyvx.louisville.edu

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Nov 17, 1993, 7:05:06 PM11/17/93
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As others have said, you will have to probably cross the big pond to get a look
at a P-51B/C. The AirForce Museum at Wright Patterson AFB, Dayton, OH has one
on display.

Trivia Question: What the difference between the P51B and P51C??


Answer: One model was made in California, the other in Texas.

Robert J. Granvin

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Nov 18, 1993, 12:33:20 AM11/18/93
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>Trivia Question: What the difference between the P51B and P51C??
>
>Answer: One model was made in California, the other in Texas.

(The props were also manufactured by different plants and the skin fit
a little better on the C's... :-)

Gregory Brubaker

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Nov 19, 1993, 10:30:22 AM11/19/93
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I can not remember for sure, but the British military museum at Duxford, England might have
a P-51B. If you have not been there, you are missing the best WWII aircraft collection in
the world. If you have seen the movies the Battle of Britain or the Memphis Belle, both
were filmed at the museum and most of the aircraft that were involved with the filming are
still there. They have B-17s, P-51s, P-38s, F4Us, Spitfires, ME-109s, Ju-52, C-47, P-40s,
and lots of other WWII aircraft that I can not remember at this time. They also have more
modern aircraft such as the prototype Concord, a B-52, C-131, F-4, Vulcan, and lots of
other aircraft. I would assume that the collection is somewhere about 150 to 200 aircraft.
One of the ME-109s that they have is the ONLY German built warbird still flying. This
aircraft has the original 109 engine, not the Rolls-Royce adaptation that the Spanish
put on their 109s. They also have a nice armor collection and a V-1 Buzz bomb launch
rail with a V-1. The airfield it self is worth the trip. It was built prior to WWII and
has the look and feel of a WWII airfield. I have been there three times myself, and go
there ever time I am in England. Duxford is about 10 Kilometers outside of Cambridge and
I think that British rail has a stop within a few kilometes of the museum, so if you can
get into England, it sould not be hard to get there.

Happy Touring
Greg Brubaker

|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Utah ANG | Greg Brubaker |
| KC-135E | Evans & Sutherland Computer Corp. |
| ____________/-\____________ gbru...@tanker.sim.es.com |
| () () \_/ () () |
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+

Ian Deeley

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Nov 22, 1993, 8:01:10 AM11/22/93
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From article <2cioqe$d...@cnn.sim.es.com>, by gbru...@tanker.sim.es.com (Gregory Brubaker):

>
> I can not remember for sure, but the British military museum at Duxford, England might have
> a P-51B. If you have not been there, you are missing the best WWII aircraft collection in
> the world. If you have seen the movies the Battle of Britain or the Memphis Belle, both
> were filmed at the museum and most of the aircraft that were involved with the filming are
> still there. They have B-17s, P-51s, P-38s, F4Us, Spitfires, ME-109s, Ju-52, C-47, P-40s,
> and lots of other WWII aircraft that I can not remember at this time. They also have more
> modern aircraft such as the prototype Concord, a B-52, C-131, F-4, Vulcan, and lots of
> other aircraft. I would assume that the collection is somewhere about 150 to 200 aircraft.
> One of the ME-109s that they have is the ONLY German built warbird still flying. This
> aircraft has the original 109 engine, not the Rolls-Royce adaptation that the Spanish
> put on their 109s.

I would agree with everything you say about Duxford, but I think
you missed the most significant aircraft there, the only remaining
TSR-2, I know this a/c has been discussed at length here before, but to
see it "in the flesh" is quite an experience. Also try to get there on a
flying day, these aren't always announced! quite often if its a nice day
they will fire up a few of the aircraft for an impromptu display! The
highlight for me last time I was there was seeing the Fiesler Storch
take off, the pilot simply turned into wind, opened the throttle & it
took off! quite a sight!
TTFN,
Ian.
--
Ian Deeley "...Whatever you do will be
School of Engineering | | insignificant, but its very
University of Sussex --=oOo=-- important that you do it.."
England. Anon

Steven Vincent

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Nov 22, 1993, 9:29:42 AM11/22/93
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ta...@syma.sussex.ac.uk (Ian Deeley) writes:

>From article <2cioqe$d...@cnn.sim.es.com>, by gbru...@tanker.sim.es.com (Gregory Brubaker):
>>
>> I can not remember for sure, but the British military museum at Duxford, England might have
>> a P-51B. If you have not been there, you are missing the best WWII aircraft collection in
>> the world. If you have seen the movies the Battle of Britain or the Memphis Belle, both
>> were filmed at the museum and most of the aircraft that were involved with the filming are
>> still there. They have B-17s, P-51s, P-38s, F4Us, Spitfires, ME-109s, Ju-52, C-47, P-40s,
>> and lots of other WWII aircraft that I can not remember at this time. They also have more
>> modern aircraft such as the prototype Concord, a B-52, C-131, F-4, Vulcan, and lots of

> I would agree with everything you say about Duxford, but I think


>you missed the most significant aircraft there, the only remaining
>TSR-2, I know this a/c has been discussed at length here before, but to

Agreed, there is a super collection of 50s and 60s stuff including several
cancelled projects.

>flying day, these aren't always announced! quite often if its a nice day
>they will fire up a few of the aircraft for an impromptu display! The
>highlight for me last time I was there was seeing the Fiesler Storch
>take off, the pilot simply turned into wind, opened the throttle & it
>took off! quite a sight!

Since Duxford is the home of 3 of the largest flying collections (The Fighter
Collection, The Old Flying Machine Co and another) in Europe there are often
flight tests and such going on. The Collection ranges all the way back to
WW1 and consists of several parts including the "Official" Imperial War
Museum reserve collection. The original Hangers date from WW1 not 2! (I think
1917) and were used right through WW2. In fact Duxford took more damage
during the Filming of "The Battle Of Britain" than it did during the whole war
(Hanger 3 being blown up).
The workshops and one hanger are in use for a variety of Restoration Projects,
most of which are open to public view, while a second hanger holds the Flying
colections which are often undergoing Maint.

If you like Naval stuff there are also some WW1 MTB's and a WW2 mini sub. to
add variety.

Amoungst the Military stuff is a nice range of AA systems. 2cm Flac 38s 88mm
SAM 2, Bloodhound, Green Archer to name a few. (There is also a memorial to
the 8th Air Force in one hanger since Duxford was one of their bases).

================================================
Steven Vincent, ste...@unipalm.co.uk
Unipalm Ltd. (44) 0223-250100
Cambridge,
England.
================================================
,

Paul Tomblin

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Nov 22, 1993, 9:42:28 PM11/22/93
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ste...@unipalm.co.uk (Steven Vincent) writes:

>If you like Naval stuff there are also some WW1 MTB's and a WW2 mini sub. to
>add variety.

Wow! I didn't even know they _had_ mountain bikes back then...
;-)


--
Paul Tomblin - AFU's official "Snide Canadian"
Formerly p...@geovision.gvc.com - soon to be ptom...@gandalf.ca
I'm not a hockey player, but I play one in front of the net

Dave Hastings, OUCS

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Nov 23, 1993, 8:23:40 AM11/23/93
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In article <1993Nov22.1...@syma.sussex.ac.uk>, ta...@syma.sussex.ac.uk (Ian Deeley) writes:
>
> I would agree with everything you say about Duxford, but I think
> you missed the most significant aircraft there, the only remaining
> TSR-2, I know this a/c has been discussed at length here before, but to
> see it "in the flesh" is quite an experience.

Isn't there one at Cosford? XR220 if I remember correctly.

Dave
--

David Hastings | "There's nothing wrong with my sense
VAX Systems Programmer | of reality - I have it thoroughly
Oxford University Computing Services| serviced once a fortnight" - DNA
da...@vax.oxford.ac.uk |

Mark Willoughby

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Nov 24, 1993, 5:52:22 AM11/24/93
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I thought the TSR-2 was still at Cosford, not Duxford?

Ian Deeley

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Nov 24, 1993, 11:09:53 AM11/24/93
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From article <14...@hardy.rl.ac.uk>, by will...@wan.inf.rl.ac.uk (Mark Willoughby):

> I thought the TSR-2 was still at Cosford, not Duxford?

Apologies all round I'm afraid, it looks like there are two
TSR-2s left, one at Duxford & one at Cosford. I seem to remember that
there were only two built in the first place, although I'm more than
likely wrong on that one as well 8*).
Thanks to all those who corrected my mistake.

j.schofield

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Nov 25, 1993, 8:54:57 AM11/25/93
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In article <1993Nov23.1...@vax.oxford.ac.uk> da...@vax.oxford.ac.uk (Dave Hastings, OUCS) writes:
>In article <1993Nov22.1...@syma.sussex.ac.uk>, ta...@syma.sussex.ac.uk (Ian Deeley) writes:
>>
>> I would agree with everything you say about Duxford, but I think
>> you missed the most significant aircraft there, the only remaining
>> TSR-2, I know this a/c has been discussed at length here before, but to
>> see it "in the flesh" is quite an experience.
>
>Isn't there one at Cosford? XR220 if I remember correctly.
>

Yes, you're right. There is one at Cosford, and it's in a bloody good condition
too. This is true of all the aircraft at Cosford, which has a fascinating
museum. Most of the aircraft have historical significance beyond their legends
though - for example the first production Lightning (as well as the prototypes)
and a host of others I can't remember!

Jim.

Dave Hastings, OUCS

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Nov 26, 1993, 8:29:07 AM11/26/93
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In article <1993Nov24.1...@syma.sussex.ac.uk>, ta...@syma.sussex.ac.uk (Ian Deeley) writes:
> From article <14...@hardy.rl.ac.uk>, by will...@wan.inf.rl.ac.uk (Mark Willoughby):
>> I thought the TSR-2 was still at Cosford, not Duxford?
>
> Apologies all round I'm afraid, it looks like there are two
> TSR-2s left, one at Duxford & one at Cosford. I seem to remember that
> there were only two built in the first place, although I'm more than
> likely wrong on that one as well 8*).
> Thanks to all those who corrected my mistake.
> TTFN,
> Ian.


The only TSR.2 to fly was XR219. After the cancellation it was trucked to
Shoeburyness and used as a gunnery target.

XR220, 21 and 22 were pretty well complete but had not flown. I think that there
were about 16 others under construction.

XR220 is at the Cosford Museum, and XR222 is at Duxford. I don't know what
happened to XR221, but it was probably scrapped, along with all the others still
on the line.

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