Dates

Event

Constructed as a P-51D.
This Mustang was a pattern aircraft for Australian assembled aircraft. Was sent to Commonwealth Aircraft as a kit for reassembly.

Converted to a CA-17-Mk 20 by Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation at Fishermans Bend, Melbourne.
New construction number, 1326, assigned to the airframe.
This was the prototype for 200 Australian Mustangs.

April 1945

Reassembled.

29 April 1945

First flight.
Was flown at Fishermans Bend. Source: Pilot log book.

From 4 June 1945 to By 1953

Taken on Strength/Charge with the Royal Australian Air Force with s/n A68-001.

4 June 1945

Transferred to No. 1 Aircraft Depot, RAAF Base Laverton, Victoria.
Delivered to 1 AD.

4 July 1945

Transferred to No. 1 Aircraft Performance Unit., RAAF Base Edinburg, South Australia.

14 December 1948

Damaged.
Tail wheel retracted during landing.

7 October 1952

Assigned to RAAF Tocumwal NSW, Australia for storage.

1953

Ferry flight.
From Tocumwal to Emu Field SA.

1953

Used as a ground target in atomic tests at Emu Field, SA. Was placed less than 1.55 km from the blast.

Damaged from the blast identified in reports as AS.6, minor damage.

31 March 1953

Struck off Strength/Charge from the Royal Australian Air Force.

1953

Ferry flight.
Tony Schwert made repairs and flew it out. Flown from Tocumwal to Emu.

From By 1953 to By 1967

Abandoned in the desert after Emu tests.

May 1967

Sold by tender to a syndicate of Peter Hookway, Stan Booker and Tony Schwerdt.

June 1967

Photographer: Geoff Goodall
Notes: British atomic bomb tests in Australia commenced in 1952 in the Monte Bello Islands on the West Australian coast near Onslow, then moved to a remote location in the South Australian desert near Emu Claypan. Among military equipment used at Emu to test the effects of blast and radiation were six RAAF CAC Mustangs flown in from storage at RAAF Tocumwal NSW.Of the six aircraft, this was the prize: A68-1, the first Australian assembled Mustang by Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation at Fishermans Bend, Melbourne in 1945. The successful bid for the Department of Supply tender for the six Mustangs was by American dealer Stanley Booker of Stans Airplane Sales, Fresno, California -He struck a deal with a group of pilots and mechanics at Parafield, headed by charter pilot Tony Schwerdt - in return for them dismantling and removing five Mustangs overland to Adelaide, they could choose the best aircraft for themselves. They chose A68-1 for its historical significance

August 1967

To Stanley Booker/Stan Air Inc, Fresno, CA.

August 1967

To Tony Schwerdt, Adelaide-Parafield SA.

Restored.
The work was carried out at Emu by Tony Schwerdt and others.

October 1967

Restored.
Restored at Emu.

31 October 1967

Ferry flight.
Flown to Coober Pedy, SA, by Tony Schwerdt.

5 December 1967

Ferry flight.
Arrived at Adelaide-Parafield.

Placed in storage at Parafield.

Australian CofA frustrated by DCA policy.

6 December 1967

Photographer: Geoff Goodall
Notes: Tony Schwerdt arrives at Parafield in A68-1 from Coober Pedy on 6 December 1967. The ferry flight was made with gear locked down. He was escorted by a DCA Aero Commander, flown by senior DCA official Jim Schofield, who had been the CAC test pilot for A68-1s first flight at Fishermans Bend on 29 April 1945.

6 December 1967

Ferry flight.
Arrived Adelaide-Parafield.

December 1967

Withdrawn from use.
Stored at Parafield, Australian CofA delayed by DCA policy.

December 1967

Photographer: Malcolm Gougan Collection
Notes: Photographed at South Australia on arrival from Emu Junction. Tony Schwerdt, one of the join purchasers of six aircraft, is the pilot in this photo.

From 1968 to By 1969

To Tony Schwerdt, Adelaide, SA.

Civil registration VH-EMQ reserved but not taken up.
From MustangsMustangs.com: Registration was a big problem for Mr. Schwerdt. It took over 2 years and finally he had to sell A68-1 to a US buyer. Less than a week after it was sold, the registration was approved.

10 July 1968

To Stanley T. Booker/Stan Air Inc, Fresno, CA with new c/r N7773.

7 October 1968

To Stan Air Inc, Fresno, CA keeping c/r N7773.

From 1969 to By 1970

To Vintage Aircraft International/Ed Jurist, Nyack, NJ keeping c/r N7773.

1969

Transported by ship.
Shipped from Port Adelaide. Was badly damaged during during shipment and parts were missing when unloaded at Baltimore, MD.

1970

To Ed Jurist, NY keeping c/r N7773.

By 1971

Placed in open storage dismantled at Doyle Airfield, Minneapolis, MN.

By 1973

To Confederate Air Force/Randy Sohn and Roger E. Baker, Harlingen, TX keeping c/r N7773.

By 1973

Stored dismantled with many components missing.

To John R. Sandberg, Robstown, TX keeping c/r N7773.

To Gary R. Levitz, Dallas, TX keeping c/r N7773.

Circa 31 October 1977

Photographer: JM Bryant
Notes: US National Aerobatic Championship, Grayson County Airport (Perrin Field/North Texas Regional Airport), Denison, Texas. Canopy inscribed Col. Joe Arnold.

From 1979 to By 1981

To Bill and Don Whittington, Fort Lauderdale, FL with new c/r N51WB {2}.

Restored.
Stored dismantled since the arrival in the USA. The restoration work was carried out in Fort Collins, CO, by Dale Skurich.

Markings Applied: A68-1001
Finished in RAAF markings.

From By 1979 to By 1980

First flight.
Adopted the identity of USAAF s/n 44-15757.

3 October 1980

Certificate of airworthiness for NL51WB {2} (P-51D, 44-15757) issued.

From 15 September 1981 to 20 September 1981

Raced as #38.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Gary Levitz. Qualified in 18th place with an average speed of 339.5 mph. Raced in the Bronze race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 339.84 mph. Raced in the Silver 1 race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 376.22 mph. Raced in the Silver Semi-Final race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 343.06 mph.

Circa 15 September 1981

Photographer: Charlene Aro
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, NV.

September 1981

Photographer: Gary Maisack
Notes: At Reno Air Races, Nevada

August 1982

To Wiley Sanders Truck Lines/Wiley C. Sanders, Troy, AL keeping c/r N51WB {2}.

August 1982

Based at Wiley Sanders Warbird Collection, Troy Municipal, Troy, AL.
View the Location Dossier

From 14 September 1982 to 19 September 1982

Raced as #96, named Kangaroo.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was George Roberts. Qualified in 19th place with an average speed of 343.69 mph. Raced in the Bronze race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 332.62 mph. Raced in the Bronze 1 race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 340.84 mph. Raced in the Bronze 2 race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 356.78 mph.

Circa 1982

Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races. It was originally thought this photo was from the 1981 races, but when compared to other photos it may actually be closer to 1982.

Circa 14 September 1982

Photographer: Charlene Aro

9 October 1982

Photographer: Paul Thallon
Notes: 1982 photo at Harlingen, TX - of North American P-51D Mustang

4 December 1982

To Wiley Sanders Truck Lines Inc, Troy, AL keeping c/r N51WB {2}.

After 1982

Photographer: Charlene Aro

31 July 1983

Photographer: Glenn Chatfield
Notes: At Oshkosh, WI

From 12 September 1983 to 18 September 1983

Raced as #96, named Jeannie Too.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was John Putman. Qualified in 24th place with an average speed of 334.07 mph. Raced in the Medallion race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 348.22 mph. Raced in the Medallion 1 race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 358.56 mph.

Circa 1983

Photographer: Shawn Aro

1984

Crashed.
Damaged in a forced-landing near Rockford, IL, as the result of a runaway prop.

Repaired.

Markings Applied: Jeanie Too, 474960, A68-1001

1985

Photographer: Charlene Aro
Notes: Bakersfield 1985

September 1985

Took part in the 1985 Reno Races, Nevada with a qualifying speed of 255.725 mph.

From Unknown to 1989

Ron Hevle was the pilot.

From 9 September 1985 to 15 September 1985

Raced as #96, named Jeannie Too.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Wiley Sanders. Qualified in 23rd place with an average speed of 344.104 mph. Started Heat 1C, but was disqualified. Raced in the Medallion 2 race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 355.725 mph.

From 8 September 1986 to 14 September 1986

Raced as #96, named Jeannie Too.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Wiley Sanders. Qualified in 11th place with an average speed of 399.413 mph. Started Heat 1A, but did not finish. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 378.655 mph. Raced in Heat 3D. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 367.682 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 403.227 mph.

Circa 30 May 1987

Photographer: Nick Veronico Collection
Notes: Photographed at Merced, CA.

From 14 September 1987 to 20 September 1987

Raced as #96, named Jeannie Too.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Ron Helve. Qualified in 9th place with an average speed of 407.802 mph. Started Heat 1A, but did not finish. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 372.460 mph. Did not start in Heat 3D. Raced in the Medallion 2 race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 375.047 mph.

From 7 May 1988 to 8 May 1988

Raced as #96, named Jeannie Too.
Competed at the Hamilton Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Ron Hevle from Bakersfield, CA. Qualified in 7th place with an average speed of 356.510 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 355.933 mph.

From 12 September 1988 to 18 September 1988

Raced as #96, named Jeannie Too.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Ron Helve. Qualified in 12th place with an average speed of 417.010 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 380.259 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 373.702 mph. Raced in Heat 3D. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 386.589 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 399.197 mph.

From 11 September 1989 to 17 September 1989

Raced as #96, named Jeannie Too.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Ron Helve. Qualified in 7th place with an average speed of 417.866 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 359.993 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 385.501 mph. Raced in Heat 3D. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 376.382 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 398.835 mph.

28 April 1990

Photographer: Nate Wilburn
Notes: Minter Field, Shafter, California. Warbirds in Action airshow.

From 7 June 1990 to 10 June 1990

Raced as #96, named Jeannie Too.
Competed in the Texas Air Races event. The primary pilot was Ron Hevle. Qualified in 7th place with an average speed of 366.240 mph. Raced in Silver Heat. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 344.825 mph. Raced in the Silver Semi-Final race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 373.098 mph.

1 January 2003

Certificate of airworthiness for NL51WB {2} (P-51D, 44-15757) issued.

31 March 2004

To Stan Air Inc, Fresno, CA with new c/r N7773.

21 November 2006

To Wiley Sanders Truck Lines Inc, Troy, AL with new c/r N51WB {2}.

6 July 2007

To Stan Air Inc, Fresno, CA with new c/r N7773.

17 November 2009

To Wiley Sanders Truck Lines Inc, Troy, AL with new c/r N51WB {2}.

17 September 2013

Civil registration, N7773, cancelled.

19 February 2016

To Wiley Sanders Truck Lines Inc, Troy, AL keeping c/r N51WB {2}.