American champion

Air Classics, Mar 2002 by O'Leary, Michael

Astronauts in formation. Colonel Frank Borman flying his TF-51D (a ground-up rebuild by Chino's Square One Aviation) while General Bill Anders maintains wing in his P-51D near Mt. Baldy, California, on 20 January 1997. Both men (along with Jim Lovell) crewed Apollo 8 on the first American mission to circle the moon.

This three-quarter rear view of Dean Cutinshal's Cutter's Capers emphasizes the compact and streamlined

form of the Mustang. After USAAF service as s/n 44-73436, this aircraft went to the Royal Canadian Air Force where it flew as 9300 until it was put up for disposal in 1960.

Bruce Guberman piloting Elmer Ward's P-51D s/n 44-72739 N44727 which is finished in the markings of Lieutenant Colonel Claiborne Holmes Kinnard Jr.'s

Man 'O War. Kinnard was commanding officer of the 355th Fighter Group and he recorded eight victories over Luftwaffe aircraft.

Doctor Roger Christgau flying his extremely original P-51D s/n 44-63675 N1751D. The aircraft carries a mixture of markings it wore while in USAAF service as Sierra Sue and as Fv 26152 with the Royal Swedish Air Force. The plane also operated with the air force of Nicaragua and was obtained by Dr. Christgau in 1977.

Ed Erickson piloting the lovely Dakota Kid which is owned by Doctor Henry Reichert. Finished in the markings of Captain Nobel Peterson's P-51B, s/n 44-- 74524 was restored from a pile of parts by Gerry Beck and Bob Odegaard and the first post-- restoration flight, performed by Skip Holm, took place during June 1997.

This photograph has been included as a reminder that some Mustangs are the victims of their pilots. This Mustang had been completely restored by Bruce Goessling at Chino and was on its first post-restoration flight on 4 April 1994 when the pilot (who had been sent by the owner to pick up the aircraft) ran the Merlin out of oil, resulting in this violent crash landing in a cow farm. The pilot did not have a current medical, was carrying a passenger in the plane, and apparently had limited experience with the type. A crew from Aero Trader is seen recovering the mangled Mustang.

Those readers who have seen Pete McManus's Mustang acrobatic displays know he is a complete master of the craft. Pete displays Petie 3rd with its gear down. N51PT was built as P-51D-20-NA s/n 44-72145. The Mustang carries the colorful markings of John C. Meyer'who was the top-scoring Mustang ace of the 8th Air Force (flying with the 352nd Fighter Group, 487th Fighter Squadron) and achieved 37 victories - 24 in the air and 13 on the ground.

The last gasp of the Mustang design as a combat aircraft was the Piper PA-48

Enforcer. Brainchild of David Lindsay (founder of Cavalier Aircraft and top proponent of the Mustang), the Enforcer was conceived by Lindsay as a logical follow-on to the classic design. Using his considerable influence in Congress during the early 1980s, Lindsay had a Bill passed that called for two Enforcers to be built to possibly fulfill a USAF requirement for an A- 10A Warthog replacement. Piper received the contract and built the two planes and test pilot David Lawrence and other Piper personnel completed 208 Enforcer sorties before the planes were flown to Edwards AFB for USAF testing. When the time came for LF test pilots to By the aircraft, the USAF refused and no Air Force pilot flew an Enforcer. David rence displays N481PE, the first Enforcer, during August 1984.