Tony's Mustang ready

Air Classics, Jan 2003 by O'Leary, Michael

Another magnificent restoration prepares for flight

After several years of extremely intensive restoration work, Tony Banta's North American P-51D Mustang N451TB is nearing its first test flight (and will probably have flown by the time this appears in print) at Salinas, California. Dave Teeters' Airmotive Specialties is completing the restoration of the Mustang which is finished in 353rd Fighter Group markings. "When completed, this will be one of the finest flying Mustangs," commented project manager Simon Brown. "The wings were done by Cal Pacific and are virtually new with new spars, etc. The fuselage has also been completely rebuilt with new longerons and the airframe has been completely reskinned. The V-1650-7 was built up by Frontier Aviation Associates with -500 heads and banks. This past October, the Mustang celebrated the 60th anniversary of its first flight so in order that these aircraft keep flying for the next 60 years it is becoming more and more important that rebuilds incorporate new items such as spars and longerons."