An F-51 “Mustang” (restoration) from the Korean War named “Was That Too Fast”
History:
This airplane was last flown by the Uruguayan Air Force in the mid 1950′s then put on display in downtown Buenos Aires, Argentina until it was sold to an American collector in the early 1980′s. Some minor restoration/rebuild work had been done over the last 30 years but nothing really of significant progress until 2008 when then owner John Turgyan brought the airplane to Midwest Aero Restoration, Ltd in Danville, IL for completion. Mr. Turgyan sold the aircraft in 2011 to current owner Jon Vesely who continued with the Restoration at Midwest Aero. This airplane flew for the first time in more than 50 years on July 11, 2013. This airplane is painted to represent a Korean War vintage Mustang called “Was That Too Fast” and was adorned by a distinctive Shark Mouth. The Korean Mustang’s serial number was 44-12943 and as was done on many post WWII P-51′s the last three digits of the serial number were painted on the side of the fuselage. FF-943 was assigned to the 18th Fighter Bomber Wing, 12th Fighter Squadron and was stationed at Chinhae, Airfield, South Korea. This airplane also has 4ea 5″ HVAR Rockets and 2 ea 500LB bombs as that was the Mustang’s primary weapons load during the Korean War.
Specifications
Registration Number. Date of Manufacture
N151JT 1944
Aircraft Role Nickname
Fighter Mustang
Aircraft Type: Wingspan:
North American P-51 “Mustang” 37 feet .5 inches
Overall length: Empty weight:
32 feet 9 inches. 7125 pounds
Gross weight: Fuel capacity:
12,100 pounds 1300 miles
Oil capacity Engine type:
21.2 gallons Single 1695 hp Packard Merlin V1650-7 V12 piston engine
Propeller type: Max Speed
Hamilton Standard Hydromatic 4 blade 437 mph
Rate of Climb Cruise Speed
235 mph
Service Ceiling Number of Crew
41,900 feet Single
Armament Bomb Load
Six .050 Caliber wing mounted machine guns Two 1000 lb bombs or Six Rockets
Number Built Number Surviving
15018 120+
Recent Comments