Dates

Event

Constructed as a P-51D-25-NT by North American at Dallas, Texas, USA.

Circa 1945

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Army Air Force with s/n 45-11513.

27 August 1945

Taken on Strength/Charge with the Royal New Zealand Air Force with s/n NZ2423.

Placed in rubberised storage at Hobsonville in early 1946.Transferred to Ardmore by barge and road in February 1947. Remained cocooned until early 1952.

1957

Struck off Strength/Charge from the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

May 1958

To W. Ruffell, Blenheim.

By 1964

To J. Smith, Mapua.
Spent the next 56 years in a barn.

July 2020

Photographer: Brendan Deere
Notes: When the decision had been made that ex RNZAF North American P51D Mustang NZ2423 would be moving to a new home at RNZAF Ohakea, we faced the challenge of moving it out of its home for nearly the previous 60 years in John Smiths shed at Mapua, near Nelson at the top of New Zealands South Island.

23 August 2020

To Air Force Museum, RNZAF Ohakea, Palmerston North, Manawatu Wanganui, North Island.
View the Location Dossier

Restored.
The work was carried out at Ohakea.

27 October 2023

To The Biggin Hill Trust, Marton with new c/r ZK-BHT.

11 November 2023

First post-restoration Flight.