Bomber_12th
SOH-CM-2025
The latest P-51B restoration to emerge from the Pacific Fighters restoration company was flown for the first time yesterday. The aircraft is painted in the markings of Bill Overstreet's "Berlin Express". This brings the current count on flying P-51B/C's to eight (with at least two others currently in the mold).
The aircraft is owned by Max Chapman, who is the same individual who owns the TF-51D "Mad Max" and was the one who originally commissioned the build and owned the TP-51C which is now owned by the Collings Foundation. The airframe is based off the identity of a P-51B, 43-24837, which crashed in England in 1944 when assigned to the 363rd FG, 382nd FS, and would be the subject of an archaeological dig in recent years. The aircraft has been fitted with an authentically reproduced Malcolm hood canopy, just as the original "Berlin Express" was fitted with. The markings include hand-painted nose art and hand-painted white wall tires, something that both Bill Overstreet and Bud Anderson had done on their aircraft (both being car guys). Bill Overstreet has been well known for, amongst other things, flying the original "Berlin Express" through the Eiffel Tower, while chasing down an Me-109.
Photos by John Muszala (Pacific Fighters) following yesterday's first flight. The aircraft is very authentic throughout, and I'm hoping it will be at Oshkosh next summer. Between this and "Sierra Sue II", I don't know if I can pick a favorite. With the Malcolm hood, and no dorsal fin fillet, this is the look I love the most for the P-51B/C design.
The aircraft is owned by Max Chapman, who is the same individual who owns the TF-51D "Mad Max" and was the one who originally commissioned the build and owned the TP-51C which is now owned by the Collings Foundation. The airframe is based off the identity of a P-51B, 43-24837, which crashed in England in 1944 when assigned to the 363rd FG, 382nd FS, and would be the subject of an archaeological dig in recent years. The aircraft has been fitted with an authentically reproduced Malcolm hood canopy, just as the original "Berlin Express" was fitted with. The markings include hand-painted nose art and hand-painted white wall tires, something that both Bill Overstreet and Bud Anderson had done on their aircraft (both being car guys). Bill Overstreet has been well known for, amongst other things, flying the original "Berlin Express" through the Eiffel Tower, while chasing down an Me-109.
Photos by John Muszala (Pacific Fighters) following yesterday's first flight. The aircraft is very authentic throughout, and I'm hoping it will be at Oshkosh next summer. Between this and "Sierra Sue II", I don't know if I can pick a favorite. With the Malcolm hood, and no dorsal fin fillet, this is the look I love the most for the P-51B/C design.
