@ Apple Valley, CA
October 2018
The Planes of Fame flew in a quartet of fighters from Chino for the Apple Valley Airshow. “Mrs Virginia” is seen here running up her engine, sadly a mechanical issue would prevent her from participating in the flight demonstration. This is a rare early model P-51A Mustang. The air duct on top of its Allison engine distinguishes the A model from later Merlin-powered Mustangs. The first P-51A flew on 3 February 1943, with first deliveries the following month. The USAAF received 310 and the Royal Air Force 50 (as the Mustang II) before production converted to producing the Merlin-powered P-51B. The Planes of Fame Air Museum’s aircraft was restored to flying condition and first flew on 19 August 1981. Fuji X-E2s w/18-135mm.
