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The North American P-51 Mustang
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P-51 Who?   Case # 286
44-73543     N5458V     Closed
Solved by: Marc Koelich, Randy Haskin, Robbie Stuart
P-51 Who 286
Case#: 286
Date: Mar 06 2004
By: Dick Phillips
Photo:
Status: Closed
Serial: 44-73543
Registry: N5458V
P-51 Who? Viewer Responses
Marc Koelich
03/07/2004 20:07
Is this 44-73543? It was reportedly surplused in 1958 (from ANG?), was later purchased by Trans Florida Aviation, and went to Indonesia (after rebuild?) I'm very interested by more information.
Randy Haskin
03/10/2004 05:04
I have 44-73543 as a Cavalier F-51 *field modification* in Indonesia, but NOT as a factory rebuild to either civil or military config. TFA may have resold the airframe to the AURI from their stock, though. That background certainly doesn't look like Sarasota!
Robbie Stuart
03/18/2004 08:26
44-73543, P-51-25NA, 1958:N5458V, trANS FLORIDA AVIATION TO INDONESIAN AIR FORCE 1978: RETURN USA, STEPHEN JOHNSON 1980: G-BLYW, CHRIS WARILOW, UK 1986: N800DK, DK PRECISION, WHITTINGTON BROS, FL 1992: N51SB, STEVE BOLANDER "MARY BEAR" 1998: TOM PATTEN, "SWEETIE FACE" NASHVILLE TN, STATUS: FLYING
T J Johansen
05/27/2004 13:56
Hi Dick! Is this the photo Allen Lung mentioned(I think)on this forum some time ago? The 51 his uncle or so had bought at Norton AFB? T J Johansen Oslo, NORWAY
John L. Dienst
07/28/2004 07:01
For your information, this aircraft was one of several stock military P-51D's exported to Indonesia while an arms embargo was in place during the late 1950's. Informed sources state that Mike Coutches was acting as a purchasing agent for Trans Florida Aviation at this time. Despite the fact that the FAA file on this aircraft was ordered destroyed by the United States government and is not available to confirm this information, Mr. Coutches is the most likely candidate for exporting this surplus Mustang to Indonesia.
Case Closed!
P-51 Mustang

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