Test your P-51 memory, knowledge and research ability!
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Status: Solved by:
Photo Info:
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Closed Nobody, then Joseph Scheil
Taken on east coast in late '60s
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Readers' Responses:
Well no one guessed it so here you go: "N1051S s/n 45-11371 was
purchased from Joe Binder of Fremont, Ohio in 1968 or 69. It had no paint at
that time and was registered as N12067. It still had the original bomb
racks, which I still have. We enjoyed it for many years until selling it to
Pete McManus in 1979. Pete sold to Mickey Rupp I believe then it was passed
on th the Whittington Bros. It wound up with Ed and Connie Bowlin of Griffin
Ga. as "Silver Girl" (N751CB). The last record I had of it was
that it was in England, painted as "Sunny VIII". The last time I
spoke with Pete, he reported that it had been lost in New England in 1995."
Thanks to Sully for the info and the picture. This P-51 was lost on
July 2, 1995 in Malone, NY. this aircraft was the lead in a two ship
formation doing fly-bys. After passing the airport a 2nd time, the aircraft
turned right to a nearly 90 degreee bank. The P-51's nose dropped and it
disappeard from view while turning to the right. Speculation is that the
plane went through an acceleration stall with insuffient altitude to
recover. The pilot had over 10,000 hours and 150 hours in P-51s. He was
killed in the crash.
Joseph Scheil later adds: The only 1051S was 45-11371 and actually held
that registration twice. Another Latin Mustang she went to Nicaragua in
1958 and was sold and registered in 1963 as 12067. 1051S in 1970 at Miami,
Fl , and then to Connie Bowlin in 1985. She went overseas and flew as
Sunny VIII in England and returned in 94'. Sadly she perished with her
owner/pilot on July 2, 1995 at Malone NY.
Case Closed!
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