Max Woodhead: I am sure you know this one already as its in your survivors database. Stump Jumper is now Angels Playmate 44-63810, owner Joe Newsome. As Stump Jumper it was owned/restored by Major Robin Collord USAF, who subsequently sold it to Jerry Hayes. After a wheels up landing it was sold on, repaired and eventually became the property of Joe, at least this is my memory of what Robin Collord told me a year ago.

Stump Jumper first came to my attention in a article in a 1976 UK magazine, I fell heavily for that particular P51 and built an RC model of it, Robin Collord sent me colour photos and lots of details. It is still my favourite of all Mustangs. 25 years later I got the urge to build another bigger/better RC Stump Jumper and have just finished it. It had its first engine run last weekend. I am still in touch with Robin who now is a captain for American Airlines. I am hoping that Robin can be present in the UK for its maiden flight.

In 1994 I was fortunate to get a ride in a UK based Mustang to/from an airshow about 90 minutes airbourne and orbited the field as Concorde taxied out and took off! A day to remember.


Steve Mesner: This one was flown by an Air Force Captain named Robin something. I've got a magazine article on it somewhere I'll look up if no one else solves it but this one shouldn't be that hard. I'm pretty sure it's a former West Virginia Air Guard bird.


Jim Church: Case # 81 shows Jerry Hayes' Colorado based 'Stump Jumper,' s/n 44-63810, N63810. While restoring this aircraft, Robin Collard (a USAF Colonel) found the name 'Stump Jumper' under many layers of paint, and as I recall it this was believed to have been added following an accident the aircraft suffered while serving with the West Virginia ANG. Hayes had a pretty bad belly landing in this aircraft, and while it was being rebuilt, he sold it on to Bernard Rauls, of Zephyr Cove, Nevada. Before the rebuild was complete, it was sold again to Dr. Joesoph Newsome, of Cheraw, South Carolina. He had the Lauderback brothers complete the rebuild at the Stallion '51 facility in Florida, and it emerged it the colors of Bruce Carr's 'Angel's Playmate,' of the 354th FG, Ninth Air Force, with the new registration N451BC. It is still owned by Newsome and continues to fly in honor of Carr, who recently passed away.

George Spencer

May 03, 2008 at 02:39:48

I am 84 years old now. I think itwas 1992 that I was able to meet Joe Newsome nd obtain for him a 24 volt d.c generator which was just the ticket. quoting John Brown, Merlin specialist and long time friend at Rolls-Royce. Joe was pleased with that generator. My friend Col. Duncan W. Rabey ande myself were goind to have some fun around Joe, week-ends in Cheraw. (Joe was a busy doctor) but Duncan was likked in a car accident and I never did get back with Joe.