WIX Archives
Don't discount that P-51!
Posted by bdk on Mon Feb 02, 2004 12:35:15 AM
In reply top Re: How do you do it???? posted by Jase on Sun Feb 01, 2004 02:57:20 PM
John Marlin built a P-51 from a bunch of parts that were essentially cast off from other projects. All this on the salary of someone that worked in the blueprint room at Rockwell. The radiator scoop was so hammered, he covered it with fiberglass to smooth it out. He had an engine built up from everyone elses used Merlin parts. His engine wasn't overhauled, it was merely airworthy.
While this occurred in a different time- like when a P-51 was only $250k, John had so little money then that most at the time called him a daydreamer, a name he later painted on the side of the plane.
He sold the Mustang (now restored as "Sizzlin Liz") just before he retired to finance his next project, a scratchbuilt Martin-Baker MB5 replica. By the way, the wings from the RB-51 are used in this project as I recall.
Also: http://www.aafo.com/racing/news/00/MB5_1.htm
: It can be done on a reasonable income (well, maybe
: not a P-51, but certainly up to a T6).
