I saw this P-51 perform at the Santa Monica Airshow in 1974. I was 12 years old at the time, the P-51 did amazing aerobatic stunts. Took off on the last day of the airshow full throttle, turned upside down, canopy was almost touching the runway, then did a climb and Cuban 8 maneuver. The sound of the Merlin V-12 at full throttle was unbelievable, the plane moves so fast, in a few seconds the plane was gone. Previously I got a really good look at N332 as it was parked for a couple days near the runway. Really sorry to hear about Dave's fatal accident, wow what am amazing airshow performer he was.

Maggie -
Since I see no sign of Jim having checked in here in over two years, I'd suggest you also email him directly (see his post).
All the best!
Ben Gay III
WWW.BFG3.COM
bfg3@directcon.net

To Jim Ferrante,
I was an instructor on the Survival Trip and was there when you were there. I just bumped into the infamous Ben Gay up here in Placerville and he suggested I visit this site. I would like to talk to you and give you any answers you may need. You are welcome to call me at 530-303-3010, I look forward to your call or email.
Blessings,

Maggie

Does anybody have any really nice color photos of this aircraft? I'm working on a model for a magazine and I'm confused as to the true colors. Is it the same Olive Drab that the Army paints its staff transport (V.I.P.) aircraft? It always looks more green than olive. Any assistance greatly appreciated and will be acknowledged.

i remember this i grow up in riverbank calif and bud would fly this bird all over the riverbank and oakdale area and yes he did own hawke dusters

Looks like we've about said it all, so I won't be checking back here on a regular basis.
However, if anyone posts anything they think I could answer/ help with, please post it here . . . but then shoot me a "heads up" email at bfg3@directcon.net so I can come back here, read it and respond.
Those were interesting times, changing the lives, directly and indirectly, of millions of people all around the world - whether they ever heard of William Penn Patrick, Holiday Magic et al, or me!
All the best!
Ben Gay III
The Closers
WWW.BFG3.COM
bfg3@directcon.net
(800) 248-3555

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you Marion. I knew you "Uncle Buddy" when this P-51 was stationed at Chester County Aviation in the early '70s. We became friends when we both shared a common interest. We had both served in the same Squadron @ NAS Cecil Field. Dutch a little earlier than I as he was flying the F-8 Crusader with VF-174. Myself as a Airframes Troubleshooter with VA-174 then flying the A-7 Corsair II (commonly reffered to as the "SLUF"). We shared quite a few Seastories together and I actually had the priviledge of getting a back seat ride in this bird before this color scheme. I believe this photo to be taken @ The Chester County Airport (Coatesville, Pa)prior to its sale. Thank You very much for posting this.
Blue Skies to you Dutch...I miss you.

There were four Enforcers built by Piper. The first two in Vero Beach and the second two in Lakeland, FL. The two in Lakeland were designed to take two 30 MM gatlin guns with one mounted under each wing. Dave Lawrence and Larry Lee were the pilots that flew them and completed the flight test for the USAF at Eglin. The USAF did not want anything to do with them from the start but were told to shut up and evaluate the Planes.

That was my Uncle Prevost Smith's P-51 and it was in El Cajon. There is a funny story where the first and last time he got my Aunt Aline up in it. They flew to Oregon and while in flight were almost shot down by U.S. planes. He did not have it properly identified and did not file a flight plan. Robert Brown, could you send me a jpeg image of the photo you have of it in the hanger? I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you, Dolly Headley email: dolly12@aol.com

I believe this is 44-74494, probably around 1967, when it was N6356T, but now N72FT.