472035 'Tall in the Saddle' - P-51D Mustang, RIAT 2017 ©Nigel Key
Princess Elizabeth |
Nooky Booky IV |
Ferocious Frankie |
Moonbeam McSwine |
Miss Velma |
Tall in the Saddle |
Big Beautiful Doll
North American P-51D ‘Tall in the Saddle’ was built at the Inglewood facility in California and served with the USAAF from December 1944.
She was assigned to the 15th Air Force based in Italy serving on escort and ground attack over Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia.
After World War II, she was sent back to the United States and served with a number of USAF Squadrons through to 1956.
Fully restored to ‘as new’ condition she was ended her military career and was sold at auction at California in 1957 to Whiteman Enterprises registered as N5411V.
She remained with Whiteman Enterprises until December 4th 1981 when she was sold to Humberto Escobar of Bogota, Colombia.
In August 1989, she was sent to France and sold to Jacques Bourret of Aero Retro. While trying to decide on a new paint scheme, Jacques came across a photo of a mustang called ‘Jumpin’ jacques’ and had to adopt this new scheme.
‘Jumpin’ Jacques’ appeared at many airshows in the UK and Europe over the years. She has never had a major rebuild and is practically as original as when first built. She even carries battle repairs from the war.
It was decided to revert her paint scheme to her original colours and on June 4th 2016 she bore her new scheme ‘Tall in the Saddle’ and forms part of the Hangar 11 collection.
Princess Elizabeth |
Nooky Booky IV |
Ferocious Frankie |
Moonbeam McSwine |
Miss Velma |
Tall in the Saddle |
Big Beautiful Doll