Serial Number: 44-72035 (please read) by debbielove

Photography • Aviation • posted on Jul 04, 2016

Open full image in new tab Zoom on image

Hover over top left image to zoom.
Click anywhere to exit.

Members remain the original copyright holder in all their materials here at Renderosity. Use of any of their material inconsistent with the terms and conditions set forth is prohibited and is considered an infringement of the copyrights of the respective holders unless specially stated otherwise.

Description

Hi, Beautiful isn't she, take her in... I'll tell you a story.. You are looking at the most original Mustang in the world.. I'll tell you why.... 'Tall in the Saddle' is a P-51D20-NA model built at Inglewood, California and accepted by the USAAF in December 1944 under the mysterious title, 'Project Number 9 91037R'.. She was earmarked for Italy and shipped off.. Arriving with the 15th Air Force, 32nd fighter group, 99 Fighter Squadron.. (Ringing Bells?) This aircraft WAS a Red Tail Fighter, flown by a pilot called George Hardy, he is alive and well sand planning to visit his aircraft at North Weald next year.. Anyway, On with her tale.. She has actual battle damage on the body (still seen), Flew sweeps over Italy, Germany and Czechoslovakia, in Sept 1945 she was returned to the U.S.. She was returned to active service while there.. While on this she served until 1956, even being prepared to go to Korea! Luckily she was not sent.. In a famous auction she was bought for $1,110!!! Under the new owner (Whitman Enterprises) she flew constantly until 1981, when she was sold to Columbia.. She survived.. Somehow she ended up in France with the name 'Jumpin' Jacques'.. She flew as this until being bought by Hanger 11 and going to North Weald.. NOW!!! Here is the amazing part, this Mustang has never had since rolling out of the factory ANY major service or part replaced!!!!! It is as was.. Now this year, it even has its original scheme on.. Its as new as can be... There is no Mustang like it.. NO double seat, no re skin, no nothing.. Sounded wonderful... Website on her look up Hanger 11 Taken at The Military Pageant, Shuttleworth. Rob

Comments (12)

)

giulband

7:36AM | Mon, 04 July 2016

Absolutely well captured !!!!!!!!!!

)

mandala

7:37AM | Mon, 04 July 2016

nice picture and object!

)

Faemike55

9:08AM | Mon, 04 July 2016

Great capture and fascinating history

)

radioham

9:09AM | Mon, 04 July 2016

I do love these old Planes they make such an great sound

)

FurNose

10:48AM | Mon, 04 July 2016

I literally hear the supercharger howl and the Merlin whispering! What a sound!!! Pure Merlin sound

PhthaloBlue

12:52PM | Mon, 04 July 2016

Great photo and intriguing story!

Tamarrion

1:10PM | Mon, 04 July 2016

Wow! That is quite a testament to her construction. Very literally, they don't make 'em like they used to!

Great find, great photo!

)

T.Rex

2:41PM | Mon, 04 July 2016

Some of these old planes have fantastic histories. Now, have you any photos of the original battle damage? And, this was a Tuscagee Airman plane, if I got my cocoa nut screwed on properly! And they were bloody good! Thanks for the history! Keep 'em comin'! :-)

debbielove

5:48AM | Tue, 05 July 2016

Re All: Thanks... Frankie is the most famous Mustang of them all, you may not realise it.. Empire of the Sun flypast - Frankie.. Based at Duxford.. See link on 'Furnose'. T.rex ; Yes its an actual real life Red Tail aircraft, the real deal.. And yes legend holds they never lost a bomber while escorting, though it has to be said it would be very remarkable for that to happen.. But I read that the desire to prove themselves was strong, and the counted I imagine.. As for battle damage, no it did not land a Shuttleworth but... IF it ever lands at Duxford I will try to find out where it is.. Rob

)

weesel

4:37PM | Mon, 04 July 2016

I've heard that any bomber group escorted by the Red Tails never lost a ship... that is a supreme definition of good.

)

flavia49

6:20PM | Mon, 04 July 2016

stunning

)

Buffalo1

9:34PM | Mon, 04 July 2016

The real deal for sure and with a story like no other! Great capture.

)

tallpindo

8:09AM | Thu, 07 July 2016

My POV and FOR begins with a banquet Colonel Robin Olds spoke at and Mentioned his wingman "Chappy" James then to Washington DC and Rev. James church Zion Hill at the center of the L'Enfant street diamond. A quick duck to Detroit and Coleman Young becomes mayor and then a meeting with the owner of a 1947 Ford Sportsman like the 1946 that Robin Olds second wife was given in 1946. Wait we were talking about airplanes and survivors a term my critics reject when they are the owner of a 1966 Chevelle SS-396 with their wife and a member of a club. Red Tails and Alabama that's all lore and legend to me. In Italy I favor the 10th Mountain and their companions from Brazil.