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Check Nick Veronico's book "Wreck Chasers"

Posted by Richard Allnutt on Tue Mar 19, 2002 12:42:08 PM

In reply top P-51H on Barnstormers posted by Tom on Sun Mar 17, 2002 04:10:11 PM

: There is an ad on Barnstormers for the remains of a H(ot s
: hip) model that crashed in '51 and has been stored in a ha
: ngar since '61. Does anyone know any more?
:
: Tom ;)

There was a write up and pictures about an -H in Nick Veronico's book Wreck Chasers which fits the description of this aircraft perfectly. Unfortunately I can't seem to find my copy of the book to give you the details of the serial number etc. However, the aircraft did crash in the early fifties in an arid mountain range in the Southwest US. I believe it was in the Sierra Nevadas. At any rate, there was a good write up about the pilot and some pretty detailed photographs showing the major components. The empenage looked almost complete, and largely undamaged. There were two wings,; one fairly intact, and the other somewhat less so. However, there did not appear to have been a fire, as there were no scortch marks and all of the detail paintwork was pretty much preserved. I had always wondered what happened to the remains of this aircraft, as it was never listed as a "survivor"... yes, it would require a hell of a lot of new parts, but, there was enough there for a 25-40% original restoration which, by todays standards is not too bad. At least it would be great to have the chance to see another H in the air, and I guess that's what is relevant in the end. Hope this clears things up a little.

Cheers,
Richard

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