WIX Archives

Re: Pacific Fighters TP-51B/C ready for flight testing.

Posted by Rob Mears on Sun Feb 29, 2004 01:12:23 PM

In reply top Re: Pacific Fighters TP-51B/C ready for flight testing. posted by Mark V on Sun Feb 29, 2004 08:18:08 AM

There were definitely a number of original parts used to construct this plane. Mr. Muszala pointed out a number of original panels in the cockpit area to me,as well as the windscreen assembly and some other bits, and that was just for the raw center section of the plane. I think it's probably safe to say that he used as many original bits as he could source. It wouldn't make sense to do it any other way.

His primary source of pride for the center section was the new longerons he had febricated from scratch. These are the two thick forged strips that run from the firewall all the way back to the tail area. These apparently form the primary building blocks of the fuselage that all of the sheet metal bulkheads and skins are attached to. My guess is that his ability to produce these substantial parts now gives him the ability to produce fuselages at will.

Between Bob Odeggard, Gerry Beck, and John Muszala, the North American Mustang has officially made its way into the fraternity of new-production warbirds. I don't think there is anything now keeping a prospective warbird owner from "ordering" a new Mustang built from this group of guys.

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