WIX Archives

This may be the same old can of worms but for me the worms..

Posted by Karen on Fri Oct 04, 2002 11:30:44 AM

are no longer hypothetical.....they just got personal!

Hi All,

I have learned that it is indeed Jack Roush who purchased the remains of Uncle Dean's Mustang. Here is what I know......

There is no dataplate. There is only a sworn affidavit stating this is indeed 43-12252. There is no airframe, or center fusilage, only pieces.

I seriously doubt there is anything that in its present condition could be considered airworthy. It has been mentioned that they choose to melt down a piece of the wreckage and fashion it into a "new" part, made from original material. (There was a whole lot of copper in that radiator!). This way something of the original material will be included in the "new" plane.

I have also been told, and I knew this already, that Mr. Roush is free to rebuild this Mustang any way he chooses. As I am sure most of you already know my feelings on this have been very strong all along, but since I am not the one writing the checks it really doesn't matter what I feel.

It is possible that 43-12252 will fly again as an olive drab, P-51B, but it is also possible that it will be "transformed" into a Mustang which is more famous, and will generate more interest then my Uncle's humble story.

So, my question is this...... What will 43-12252, be when she is completed? She can't be a restoration, there isn't enough left to restore.....So what will she be? A replica? A new Mustang with one historical artifact imbedded somewhere in her frame?? I value your opinions on this!
Karen

One thing I found kind of eerie.....I have to find out when Mr. Roush purchased the remains of Dean's plane.....I'm thinking it was probably in January 2002, but anyway, the eerie thing.....Jack Roush purchased the remains of Dean's plane, and then nearly died in the exact same way that Dean did!

Follow Ups: