May 2019
The P-51A was an early production model of this classic aircraft, initiallydevelopedfor the Royal Air Force. The Planes of Fame Museum acquired this Mustang in 1954 from the Cal Aero Technical Institute which had used it as an instructional airframe. Restored to flying condition in 1980, the aircraft has been raced at Reno with Steve Hinton (1981- 5th place Silver) and John Maloney (2016- 2nd place Silver) piloting. The P-51A was restored as a Royal Canadian Air Force Mustang I flown by Flight Officer Hollis Hills. On August 19, 1942, F/O Hills shot down a Fw 190 over France, marking the first ever Mustang aerial victory. The USAAF received 310 and the RAF 50 (as the Mustang II) before production converted to producing the Merlin-powered P-51B. Nikon D7100 w/18-200mm.