Readers' Responses:
N31248, Jerry Miles, Fred Sebby 44-73423, later N51DJ, N51KJ or is it
N3278D, 44-73216? same P-51?
OK. This one is a bit strange, but here goes.
(with the help of TJ and a little book work of my own -no guarantees)
As stated above this mustang does carry numerous N#s and
2 serial numbers. It started out as N5465V, 44-73423 owned by George
Bliss. The aircraft bellied in during early 70's and the project was
then sold and completed as N31248 (Jerry Miles not listed as owner, but
was certainly involved in this aircraft.)
I believe as pictured above it was reg. Fred Sebby owner in '80 as N31248
The P-51 changed numbers and paint and in 1982
finally adopted the serial # of a destroyed P-51 (44-73216, N6302T- cr.dest.'71).
1980 Rick Brickert listed as owner flew this P-51 in Reno as #51 "Mustang Fever"
and finished 2nd in the Bronze. 1981 Brickert was back at Reno in #51 "Sunshine"
who DNF the unlimited Bronze on Sunday. In '82 it was N51DJ "Sunshine"
(Diane Dejacomo). In '83 it was N3278D "Sunshine", (Jerry Owens). Fred Sebby
raced in #38 "Sunshine" in '83, and in '84 it was N3278D painted in the RAF
scheme coded "FB" until its end.
In 1987 Wayne Meylan took ownership and in June '87 he was killed in this
mustang when it crashed and was destroyed. It was still on USCR in '96,
but this N# is not registered anymore.
As for the paperwork loose ends ...
N3278D does not exist anymore as well as the serial #'s 44-73216 and 44-73423.
N51DJ is now reg. with sn 44-61449 (not a P-51 #) as a North-American-Miles
(Jerry Miles). Year manufactured - 1976. Is this paper transferred to
another project? or just paper or related to 44-74469? (N51DJ is believed to be
44-74469 x:Tally Ho II, without the camo paint. This P-51 was reported to be
built using several different components from different sources.) It is reg. to
Aero Craft Services in Las Vegas as of 3/99. It was previously reg.
to Classic Air Parts of CA and FL.
N51KJ is now reg. with sn 44-12962-A (adopted sn). Registered in '82
(the year 44-73423 was transf. to 44-73216) to Jerry Owens and is also
a North-American-Miles. (not sure that this is an aircraft)
Another Miles P-51 (which might have some bearing) is 44-74469, N7723C.
It was restored in '87 and flew as "Tally Ho II". In 1992 it was reg. to
Classic Air Parts and rumors say it was reported destroyed in hurricane
Andrew '92. It was struck off the USCR in '93. But other rumors have it
as not being destroyed and then changed identity to N51DJ or N51KJ or
even N515J. Interestingly, N515J began its reg. in '92.
Out of all of this we had 4 serial #s, 7 or 8 N#'s, 2 mustangs that crashed/dest.
and another that was reported destroyed. It is believed that there is only one
P-51 that survives all of this but I don't know for sure how much is metal or paper.
Someone out there knows the real story and the current status.
Questions that need answering:
Is N51DJ the old "Tally Ho II" 44-74469?
Is N515J 44-74262 just paperwork?
Is N51KJ 44-12962A just paperwork?
Was there anything left of 44-73423 when it crashed as 44-73216 in '87?
And if so, is it tied to one of the above N#'s?
Please help tie up the loose ends!
02-05-01:
At the time of the above photo, the P-51 has been positively identified as N31248, 44-73423.
MM.com
Case Closed!
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