P51 - where did it go?

[simpo two]

Hi all! Still planning my big trip - with thanks to your input - and hope you can solve a query.

According to my chum's NZ guidebook there's an aeroplane museum at Wanaka or thereabouts that does/did flights in not only a Tiger Moth but also a P51 :nuts: for £800. However we can't find any trace of it now. I have seen a twin-seater P51 - was it really too good to be true?

[Kiwi XTR2]

My best mate (and mechanic) is a P51 nut so he'll know for sure.

There is/was a Wings-over-Wanaka (Warbirds) event every few years but I'm not familiar with a museum down there.

Will investigate further . . .

[gtivr4]

I believe Wings over Wanaka is every two years on Easter. It should be happening on '06 (only know cause the Race to the Sky is the same weekend in the same area).

[Kiwi XTR2]

Found the museum :

NZ Fighter Pilots Museum

If you're really serious about the P51 there is one privately owned in the North Island which I could follow up on.

[jamieheasman]

Saw one not too long ago obviously heading to or from Ardmore. There are plenty of classic aircraft flown from there. They like to perform aerobatics above my property - one stalled his engine for at least 30 seconds after spending too much time upside down! I was getting quite worried as he wasn't very high when he started the manouver and was losing height rapidly. Wonder if he was worried too or just winding his passenger up?

[simpo two]

Kiwi XTR2 said:

If you're really serious about the P51 there is one privately owned in the North Island which I could follow up on.

I won't have so much time or flexibility on North Island as I'm staying with another family - but if it's not too much trouble I'd be interested to know more; if it's near Auckland or Russell in the Bay of Islands it could work...

Such flights are impossible to get in the UK for insurance purposes, eg Carolyn Grace's Spitfire ML407 www.ml407.co.uk/pages/main.html which is strictly invitation only and mainly reserved, rightly, for former WW2 pilots.

[Photochromatic]

The P51 is a Thunder Mustang - Tiger's Blood.
Currently grounded while some engine work happens, but should be back in the air soon.
A friend of mine part owns it - I'm waiting for my ride when it is airborne again

More here: www.kiwithunder.com/

This is a truly awesome machine - check the specs v the P51.

[simpo two]

Ah, thanks. I'd hoped it was a real one, like this I took at Rougham, Suffolk UK last month





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>> Edited by simpo two on Friday 30th September 13:54

[Photochromatic]

HOLY CRAP!!! He is bl00dy low!

[simpo two]

Photochromatic said:

HOLY CRAP!!! He is bl00dy low!

I didn't know what he was going to do so was pretty lucky to get the shots. This was the practice run:

[kylie]

I wouldn't be standing there if you paid me to! Complete respect!! Great pics

[Kiwithunder]

For Thunder Mustang check out www.kiwithunder.com