Hollywood’s top film pilot, the ever-dapper Paul Mantz, poses with one of his P-51C racers. Mantz was one of the first pilots to realise the Mustang’s potential for cross-country air racing.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51 Mustang - СШАUSA - 1940

One of Paul Mantz’s successful P-51C racers, N1202, at the National Air Races at Cleveland on September 3, 1949. This aircraft is now restored and on display in the Los Angeles County Museum. The second racer, N1204, is owned by Kermit Weeks and is nearing completion in Art Teeters’ restoration shop, with the goal of getting it to the Kissimmee show in April 1999.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51 Mustang - СШАUSA - 1940

Many Mustangs have featured on the US racing circuit since 1948, some being the subject of radical modification in the search for extra speed. Among the more extreme modifications have been relocation of the engine cooling radiators in wing-tip fairings
The crash of P-51C Beguine at the 1949 Cleveland races was one of the prime reasons behind the cancellation of that famous event. It had been modified by Garrett AiResearch to have wingtip radiators and a special Hamilton Standard propeller with very-thin-section blades.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51 Mustang - СШАUSA - 1940

Bill Allmon is due to attend the Mustang gathering at Kissimmee with his freshly-restored NACA P-51D, NL51YZ. This aircraft was used to dive-test high-speed aerofoils (note the shapes mounted on the wing) and scale models (including the Bell X-1), and has been restored to its original condition by Pacific Fighters.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51D Mustang - СШАUSA - 1944

Colonel Frank Borman in his TF-51D, with General Bill Anders on his wing. Both men flew in Apollo 8 on the first flight around the Moon.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51D Mustang - СШАUSA - 1944

The Mustang OPS gathering will mark the triumphant return of Kermit Weeks's P-51D Cripes A'MIghty 3rd, NL921, which was heavily damaged during Hurricane Andrew, The aircraft has been completely rebuilt by Bill Teeters.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51D Mustang - СШАUSA - 1944

General Rog Urschler leads a pack of Mustangs In his Gunfighter, N5428V.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51D Mustang - СШАUSA - 1944

Wallace Sanders will be bringing his colourful Nervous Energy V to the show.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51D Mustang - СШАUSA - 1944

Robert Odegaard’s P-51D, Dazzling Donna, incorporates parts from at least 20 P-51s. Up to 80 airworthy P-51s are expected to attend the Gathering of Mustangs and Legends at Kissimmee.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51D Mustang - СШАUSA - 1944

David Jeansonne’s newly-acquired P-51D Su Su was the former mount of astronaut Frank Borman.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51D Mustang - СШАUSA - 1944

Legends at Kissimmee will include Chuck Yeager left and wingman Bud Anderson right.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51D Mustang - СШАUSA - 1944

With the surrender of Japan, thousands of Mustangs were no longer needed. This stunning late-1945 view of a portion of Clark Field in the Philippines shows hundreds of Mustangs in storage. Fortunately the majority of these -Ds and -Ks were shipped back to the USA. Less fortunate was an equally large group of P-38s at Clark; they were pushed off a cliff, burned and then bulldozed.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51D Mustang - СШАUSA - 1944

The rebuilding goes on. The centre section of John Crocker’s unlimited racing Mustang arrives at Square One Aviation (some work has already been carried out in the cockpit area, including the addition of a stock windshield). The unit was rebuilt into a stock TF-51D centre section and shipped to Stallion 51, where it is being remarried to the rest of the restored aircraft.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51D Mustang - СШАUSA - 1944

This Mustang was being flown by a pilot without a current medical on a first test flight after rebuild (with a passenger, which is also illegal). He failed to notice that all the oil had departed the Merlin, and crash-landed the aircraft on a Chino farm, killing some cows and writing off the aircraft.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51D Mustang - СШАUSA - 1944

North American P-51D Mustang

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51D Mustang - СШАUSA - 1944