Dominican Mustangs

[Bomber_12th]

I've noticed that I have quite the plethora of Mustang-related publications and books on my shelves, much of it not being used. Case in point, these photos from an old article covering the Dominican AF (FAD) Mustangs. All of the color photos were shot in 1982, just two years before they would finally be retired and sold to the U.S. civil-market. Even though it was 1982, with the exception of the avionics fitted and paint, these aircraft largely were the same as they were when originally produced in the 40's, and still relying on the good old K-14 gun sight and original armament and armor plating.

Unfortunately the scans aren't the greatest, but I hope they at least provide some interest/insight for some. Note that, at least by the time these photos were taken, the canopies were all slightly tinted a light blue - possibly a measure towards cutting down on the sun/heat-exposure within the cockpits.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/FAD_1.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/FAD_2.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/FAD_3.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/FAD_4.jpg

These gun barrel covers are actually beer bottle caps from the local area - waste not, want not.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/FAD_5.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/FAD_6.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/FAD_7.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/FAD_8.jpg

[MenendezDiego]

Killer photos!

Thanks for taking the time to post them!

Diego

[Bomber_12th]

No problem, Diego!

These are just some of the Mustangs currently being flown, being restored, or on display, which were once FAD examples, a few of which were photographed in the article I pulled the above photos from back when they were in service with the FAD:

FAD 1900 (#2) :http://mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/?survivors/serial/44-12852

FAD 1916: http://mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/?survivors/serial/44-72364 (the original "Upupa Epops", as restored back to original condition)

FAD 1930: http://mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/?survivors/serial/44-72395

FAD 1908: http://mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/?survivors/serial/44-63762
(http://mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/?survivors/serial/44-63762)
FAD 1936: http://mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/?survivors/serial/44-72086

FAD 1914: http://mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/?survivors/serial/44-72123 (this is one of the real-life/original "Millie G's" from WWII - I know there would be a number of people interested in grabbing this one up, if it became available)

FAD 1918: http://mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/?survivors/serial/44-72339 (now finished in the same markings this airframe wore during WWII)

FAD 1917: http://mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/?survivors/serial/44-72202

FAD 1920: http://mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/?survivors/serial/44-72438

[Bomber_12th]

If any of the above airframes listed, spur some interest in a Warbirdsim-related project, just let me know. Note that two of those above, are being restored in an almost North American Aviation factory-like atmosphere, at Tri State Aviation up in North Dakota, along with this one, a former Israeli Mustang, which may be the first of the three flying, estimated to be completed in 2013: http://mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/?survivors/serial/44-72028

[fsxar177]

LOVE IT, LOVE IT!!!

Thanks John.

I few notes.

"FAD 1900" as pictured in your photos, is the second "1900" given for a Dominican Mustang.

The first one, as portrayed in the recent skin release (http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php?64362-Warbirdsim-P-51D-5-NA-FAD-1900-Dominican-Republic), was the -5 model, and was written off in the early fifties.

In around 1954, the Dominican Republic bought this mustang, which was N22B, previously owned by Jack Hardwick. They also labeled it "1900" and gave it a similar camo scheme, which it did wear for it's career with the Dominican Republic. This mustang, a P-51K-10-NT, s/n 44-12852 has a very interesting History, one that may be worth some future coverage on the WBS mustang.

It's one of a couple of Dominican mustangs, which actually raced at Cleveland, prior to extended military service (and fitting of guns!) for the Dominican Republic.

Robert Swanson attempted to qualify in this mustang at Cleveland in 1946, as "Full House" NX66111, Race 80. But the Merlin blew, and the aircraft crash landed. The aircraft had been to the body shop, if you will, being streamlined, filled, and polished for racing. Later being re-built, and fitted with duel controls, in California, it was sold to the Dominican Republic.
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb331/fsxar177/nx66111.jpg


This aircraft is not to be confused with P-51K "Second Fiddle", another race #80 that Swanson raced that year, after "Full House" crashed.

Nor is it to be confused with "N66111", another P-51K 44-12140, which was also raced, and later flown by Lyle Shelton as "Tonopah Miss".

I show 44-12852 on the books with the DR until 1984, then it came back home to the USA, in Florida, and it was once again restored.


Now, it survives as an example of a war-time 8th AF mustang, sporting the scheme of "Frenesi" 44-13318.
http://www.airport-data.com/images/aircraft/small/090/090189.jpg

Thanks for the photos John!!

Joseph

[Bomber_12th]

Good eye, and information, Joseph! P-51K/F-6K 44-12852 is currently under restoration, though it is rumored that it will be kept as "Frenesi". The airframe hasn't flown since the early 2000's, after it was stripped down in need of complete rebuild, as it was quite tired, and showing good signs of it. Most of the restoration work had already been undertaken by 2009 when the project was sold to Dan Friedkin.

This, one of the photos I have in my data-base, shows the cockpit on this very aircraft shortly before it was stripped down several years back. At the time, and as can be seen, it still had the dual-cockpit modifications, that if I recall correctly, had been installed way back even before it came into the FAD. As with any of these modifications, then as now, the fuselage fuel tank, liners, and balsa wood wedges, radio rack, armor plate, and original seat brackets/supports all had to be removed. This particular aircraft is quite unique in the type of modifications incorporated, which included mounting a whole 'nother set of stock rudder pedals for the back-seater, and channeling out the rear decking so that there was enough room for a person's legs to travel. A tray of essential flight instruments, as well as a rudimentrary set of engine controls were also provided, and this was all done within the confines of the stock airframe!

In this photo, both the front and rear seats had been removed, and I believe work may have been underway towards stripping the fuselage down for rebuild.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/post-6-1212278092.jpg

[fsxar177]

Very Interesting.

I wasn't aware that it was once again going through an overhaul.

It was converted to a duel before 1954.

I may work on other Dominican mustang, this one also quite unique, and not yet shown in any of your photos or links. Once again, it was taken from a polished racing air frame, and re-fitted for military use. This time with only four .50 cal machine guns. Any guess as to which one?

A Clue, it's a -10-NA model. May be difficult to represent.

Joseph

[Bomber_12th]

Is it the P-51B that served with the FAD? I don't recall the exact airframe, but I do remember there being a P-51B (and a C) with the FAD, I think quite early on. Otherwise, you'd have to make me probably have to do quite a bit of digging - it's been a while since I looked at the Cleveland racers, let alone their histories.

One of the things I found rather interesting about the Dominican Mustang operations, is that they would usually keep the engine power at 46-in MP and 2700-RPM in all normal flight conditions, even up to 1984, with no concession to the age of the engines. This is the absolute max-continuous power setting in the Mustang, and many owners actually don't go above 46-in MP on take off, let alone cruise (which is recommened these days (and in WWII) at anywhere between 34-37 in MP, and 2300-2400 RPM - this can be even be taken down to 29-30 in MP, and 1800-1900 RPM), so as to keep the engine out of overhaul for as long of a period of time as possible (though it's really costing a fortune now, more than ever - you're realistically looking at spending $125,000-$150,000 to overhaul a Merlin engine these days, which generally don't have to be overhauled until 500-800 hrs, if the engine remains well-kept - buying a completely new one, fully restored and ready to go, is costing near to $200,000 - prop overhauls are also near to the same amount).

[fsxar177]

No, Not a B, or C...Is a D-10.

We'll see...maybe I'll attempt it after a few days.


Joseph

[Bomber_12th]

Okay, my first guess would be the former "Magic Town" (44-14377, NX3699), which became FAD 1702.

[fsxar177]

Jeepers....you're just too fast John, I'm tellin' ya!

[ZsoltB]

Yeah!

RARE nice background info!

Thank you!
Zsolt

[hae5904]

Certainly fascinating!! Much has been covered of the Mustang during WWII, not much beyond that (with Korea as an exception).

Cheers,
Hank

[Bomber_12th]

Visions of a FAD (Dominican), FAU (Uruguayan), FAG (Guatemalan), FAB (Bolivian), and FA GN (Nicaraguan) series of Mustangs, built to match some of the real aircraft as they were in-service, inside and out. ; )

Although I believe there are more surviving P-51D's that served with the Canadian AF, than any other single foreign AF involvement, you'll find that there is a large swath of Mustang survivors that are vets of at least one of these Central American countries (with most of the few that are actual WWII combat vets, having often first served in the Swedish AF immediately after WWII).

[nazca_steve]

Brilliant photos mate, I love vintage aircraft in small air forces. If anyone here has read 'Phoenix Squadron' you'll know that Royal Navy Buccaneers were potentially going to have to go up against Guatemalan Mustangs over Belize. Really interesting to read how they had to seriously consider air-fighting tactics for such an engagement when their training at the time was to prepare for dealing with MiGs and Soviet warships.

If anyone here subscribes to Small Air Forces Observer journal, there is an interesting 'what if' article on potential Mustang usage during the Congo crisis in the 60s...apparently all sides were going to use them at one point, making for some lovely what if colour schemes.

Anyway, again, great pics...I went to the DR once on hols so will always have a soft spot for it!

[skyhawka4m]

Somewhere I have some saved images fro the net of P-51's in a darker looking camo that came back to the US and wound up as restored aircraft. I am dying to see the darker camo done. YOYO sent me one of his works and it is awesome.......I'm hoping to attempt one myself at some point as they looked upon return the US without national markings.

[Bomber_12th]

Those you mention, John, are likely the former FAG Guatemalan Mustangs, like these (see pictures on pages showing the aircraft in FAG schemes before restoration):

http://mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/?survivors/serial/44-74902 (this is the only one that remains to this day, un-restored and still sporting an FAG scheme)

http://mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/?survivors/serial/44-74452

http://mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/?survivors/serial/44-74391

http://mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/?survivors/serial/44-63663

These are very much like the FAD Mustangs I listed out earlier in this thread, all of which came back into the U.S. several decades ago, still sporting their camo-schemes, before being sold to various owners over time, most all of which have resulted in some amazing restorations (benefiting from the fact that they remained almost un-changed since original production, and never previously restored).

In my previous posts, I also forgot to mention that there were also FAS Mustangs (El Salvador).

[Bomber_12th]

While Brian O'Farrell handled the importation of FAD Mustangs in 1984 (about 10 airframes, if I recall correctly), Don Hull had handled the importation of the FAG Mustangs (about 7 airframes, if I recall correctly) back in the early 70's. Can you imagine what it would have been like seeing all of these stored together, just waiting buyers?

One of the things I was going to mention early on too, is that in the Dominican Air Force, towards the end of the Mustang operations, they had already stopped training new Mustang pilots for quite a long time. The pilot in the photo at the beginning of this thread is Col. Rafael Diaz Bonilla, otherwise known as El Diablo Rojo, who flew Mustangs in the Dominican Air Force for nearly 30-years. He was also the chief instructor for the type, and had survived several crashes.

[skyhawka4m]

this is what I was talking about ....love this camo....

http://mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/?su...erial/44-74391 (http://mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/?survivors/serial/44-74391)