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    This page documents a history of a specific aircraft. The details provided vary from aircraft to aircraft and are dependent on the research and amount of data uploaded to the Aerial Visuals database.

    Airframe Family: North American A-36 / P-51/F-51 Mustang / P-48 Enforcer
    Latest Model:F-51D Mustang
    Last Military Serial:45-11586 USAF
    Construction Number:124-48339
    Last Civil Registration:N51PE
    Compressed ID:NA F-51D sn 45-11586 USAF cn 124-48...
    Latest Owner or Location:Dakota Territory Air Museum, Minot International Airport, Minot, North Dakota

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    Dates

    Event

    Constructed as a P-51D-30-NT by North American at Dallas, Texas, USA.

    1945

    Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Army Air Force with s/n 45-11586.

    1946

    Transferred to 157th Fighter Squadron (ANG), 54th Fighter Wing, Congaree Air Base, Columbia, SC.

    18 September 1947

    Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 45-11586.

    1948

    Redesignated as F-51D.

    Circa 1952

    Transferred to 167th Fighter Squadron (ANG), Charleston, WV.

    1956

    Transferred to Sacramento Air Materiel Area, McClellan AFB, CA.
    Transferred here for disposal.

    January 1957

    Struck off Strength/Charge from the United States Air Force.
    Sold as surplus from McClellan AFB, CA.

    January 1957

    To unknown owner.

    By 1959

    To Keeward Aero Sales, Miami, FL with new c/r N5423V.

    From 1963 to 1970

    To Walter D. Oakes, Chicago, IL keeping c/r N5423V.

    1964


    Photographer: Paul Cicci
    Notes: Photo taken at DuPage County Airport (DPA).

    Circa 1964


    Photographer: Malcolm Gougan Collection

    Circa 1964


    Photographer: Collect-Air Photos

    Circa 1964


    Photographer: Collect-Air Photos

    1970


    Photographer: Malcolm Gougan Collection
    Notes: This 51 belongs to Warbirds branch of the EAA.

    Circa 1970


    Photographer: Malcolm Gougan Collection

    From 13 September 1977 to 18 September 1977

    Raced as #3.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Bill Harrison from Tulsa, CA. Qualified in 16th place with an average speed of 317.27 mph. Raced in the First Trophy race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 324.98 mph. Raced in the Heat 2A race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 329.54 mph. Raced in the Make-Up race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 324.98 mph. Raced in the Reserve race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 329.54 mph.

    Circa 13 September 1977


    Photographer: Aero Research

    Circa 13 September 1977


    Photographer: Malcolm Gougan Collection
    Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races.

    1978

    To Albert Shirkey, Tulsa, OK keeping c/r N5423V.

    1978

    To William E. Harrison, Tulsa, OK with new c/r N51HA.

    Raced as #3.

    From 1983 to 1985

    To Lynn L. Florey, FL with new c/r N13LF.
    Operated with markings: Death Rattler, 13

    November 1986

    To Harry E. Tope, Mount Pleasant, MI keeping c/r N13LF.

    February 1987

    To Harry E. Tope, Mount Pleasant, MI with new c/r N51HT {1}.

    2 August 1988


    Photographer: Glenn Chatfield
    Notes: At Oshkosh, WI

    1 July 1990

    Destroyed in a crash.
    Crashed and destroyed during air show at Ottawa, Ontario, Tope killed.

    From December 1996 to 2002

    To Gerry S. Beck, Wahpeton, ND keeping c/r N51HT {1}.
    Acquired wreckage as a restoration project.

    1997

    45-11586 ID transferred to restoration project 44-63476, Wahpeton, ND.

    27 August 2002

    To Paul C. Ehlen, Bloomington, MN keeping c/r N51HT {1}.
    Restoration project.

    From 2002 to April 2005

    Restored.
    Markings Applied: Little Horse, FT-K, 413551
    Restored at Wahpeton ND.

    June 2004

    45-11586 ID transferred back from restoration project 44-63476, restored to this airframe.

    From 7 April 2005 to January 2008

    To Paul C. Ehlen, Bloomington, MN with new c/r N51PE.

    April 2005

    First post-restoration Flight.

    27 July 2005


    Photographer: David Miller
    Notes: at Oshkosh AirVenture in 2005

    2 July 2006


    Photographer: John Bennett
    Notes: Minneapolis - Flying Cloud, MN, U.S.A.

    29 February 2008

    To Wells Fargo Bank Northwest Na Trustee, Salt Lake City, UT keeping c/r N51PE.

    Based at Stallion 51, Kissimmee Municipal Airport, Kissimmee, FL.
    View the Location Dossier

    16 November 2010

    To unknown owner.
    Registration pending to a new owner in Dover, DE.

    6 April 2011


    Photographer: Robert Bourlier
    Notes: Indian Town, FL. Engine rebuild by Glenn Wegman of Fighter Enterprises.

    6 April 2011

    To Little Horse Llc, Dover, DE keeping c/r N51PE.

    29 October 2012


    Photographer: Nigel Hitchman
    Notes: Wings Over Houston Airshow

    Based at Texas Flying Legends Museum, Ellington Field, Houston, TX.
    View the Location Dossier

    From 11 September 2017 to 17 September 2017

    Raced as #22, named Little Horse.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Mark Murphy from Amsterdam, NY. Qualified in 11th place with an average speed of 302.262 mph. Did not start in Heat 1B. Raced in Heat 2D. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 266.755 mph. Raced in Heat 3. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 267.192 mph. Raced in the Medallion 2 race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 312.131 mph.

    15 September 2017


    Photographer: Allen Hess
    Notes: Unlimited Class, Race #22 North American P-51D Mustang Little Horse Pilot: Mark Murphy.2017-0915-0912 Reno Air Races, Stead Field, Nv

    16 August 2018

    Based at Dakota Territory Air Museum, Minot International Airport, Minot, ND.
    View the Location Dossier


    Credits
    Data for airframe dossiers come from various sources. The following were used to compile this dossier...

    Print Sources
    U.S. Military Out of Service 2010 by Andy Marden

    Internet Sources
    Aerial Visuals - The Locator by Mike Henniger, Senior Editor
    Federal Aviation Administration in the United States of America
    Forgotten Props
    MustangsMustangs.com by Curtis Fowles
    Reno Air Racing Association (National Championship Air Races)
    Swiss Mustangs
    Warbirds Directory, 6th Edition (2013) by Geoff Goodall

    Individual Contributors
    Glenn Chatfield

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