northamericanmustang

This is C.A.C. (Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation) CA-18 PR.22 Mustang, (Australian manufactured), A68-187, with an interesting history: Delivered No. 1 Aircraft Depot ex CAC on 13/10/50. Transferred to Tocumwal and stored 11/50. Issued 3 Sqn 04/01/51 and 21 (City of Melbourne) Sqn 06/03/53. Issued ARDU 07/01/54. To 1 AD 27/11/56. Struck off charge 23/04/58. Registration VH-AGJ was allocated but not taken up. Located in Sydney 23/04/58 to 1962. Was modified to use a Dart Turboprop Engine. VH-UFO was allocated but it never flew like this and was exported to the USA as N919WJ. In 1996 rebuilt as TF-51 for Frank Borman using parts of 44-74859 in rebuild. Named "Su Su II" Registered N50FS in 2006 Renamed "La Pistolera" Used in Reno Air Races Source: adf-serials.com.au

Interesting history to this aircraft as per Joe Baughers website. 44-63869 P-51D 355th FG, 358th FS, 8th AF; code YF-U. "Elionne / Passions Playground" (165th FS, Kentucky ANG) crashed near Franklin, KY Jan 7, 1948 during attempted intercept of UFO. Pilot Capt Thomas Mantell killed. This incident is legendary in the folklore of UFOs and flying saucers. The usual explanation was that Capt Mantell was trying to reach a Skyhook balloon (which was highly secret at the time) and lost consciousness due to a failure of his oxygen system and crashed.

Info from Joe Baughers website. 44-13354, YF-L, P-51D, (355th FG, 358th FS, 8th AF, "Slugger") shot down by flak W of Horsten Mar 21, 1945. MACR 13409. Pilot bailed out and became POW