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NAA Type:
Conv:
Serial #:
Registry:
.. past:
Conv:
Serial #:
Registry:
.. past:
Owner:
Base:
Status:
Base:
Status:
Wiley Sanders
Troy AL
Flying
Troy AL
Flying
A68-1
44-15757a
N51WB
VH-EMQ
N7773
History / Previous Identities:
1945: RAAF used in atomic tests then left in desert in 1953.
The plane was placed less than 1 KM from the blast.
1967: A68-1 was rescued from the desert by Tony Schwerdt who fixed and flew it out. He restored the P-51 and named it "Desert Rat" registered VH-EMQ. Registration was a big problem for 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!
1969: A68-1 was shipped to USA (deck cargo) for Ed Jurist of Nyack, NY. Aircraft was damaged during shipment, considered at the time worthless.
1970: N7773 was reg. to Stan Air Inc of CA, then Ed Jurist of NY
1970: sold by Jurist (as shipped) to partners
Randy Sohn and Roger Baker
Later sold to John Sandberg, then Levitz, then Whittington
1979: Whittington Bros. sent the parts to CO (Dale Skurich) for restoration. N51WB
? 1981: (Gary Levitz) named the P-51 "Kangaroo", race #38
1982: (Wiley Sanders)
1983: "Jeannie Too" forced landing from runaway prop, repaired
Ron Hevle was pilot until 1989.
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