Platinum Fighter Sales has announced that the North American P-51D Mustang, serial number 44-73518 (N5483V), will undergo a complete restoration and conversion to a dual-control TF-51 Mustang. With demand for TF-51s steadily rising, this project offers a rare opportunity to acquire a newly rebuilt example, tailored to a buyer’s exact specifications and completed by some of the most accomplished names in the warbird restoration field. The aircraft is being restored under the leadership of Tom Reilly of Tom Reilly Aviation, renowned for his award-winning work on the North American XP-82 Twin Mustang. That restoration earned the 2019 Grand Champion Warbird Award and two Golden Wrench Awards at both Sun ’n Fun and EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, setting a benchmark for craftsmanship and authenticity.
The wings for the Mustang are currently being built by Odegaard Wings, after which they, along with the fuselage, will be delivered to Tom Reilly Vintage Aircraft Inc. for integration with the rest of the airframe. The engine, a Packard-built Rolls-Royce Merlin, will be overhauled by either Vintage V-12s or Roush Aviation, depending on the future owner’s preference. Final assembly, systems installation, and completion will take place at Reilly’s facility, with the project scheduled for a 36-month timeline. Once finished, the Mustang will be test flown and licensed in the Limited Category.
Every aspect of the aircraft will be either newly manufactured, zero-timed, or expertly overhauled. Many components have been collected over the past two decades by the restoration team, including numerous rare new-old-stock parts that will ensure the finished TF-51 is as authentic and reliable as possible. The new owner will also have the opportunity to personalize the aircraft, from the avionics suite to the final exterior finish, whether in paint or polished aluminum.
Work already completed on the project includes the overhaul of the engine mount, horizontal and vertical stabilizers, elevators, ailerons, rudder, and scoop. Additional progress has been made on the doghouse, fairings, windshield, throttle quadrants, canopy crank, gear and flap handles, and the front instrument panel, which is fitted with fully overhauled instruments. The hydraulics, coolant and oil systems, header and oil tanks, actuators, induction components, and wing tip extensions have also been restored or manufactured new, ensuring a strong foundation for the next stages of assembly.
The restoration will also incorporate original and replica equipment, such as two original oxygen bottles, six replica .50 caliber machine guns with correctly dated shells, new exhaust stacks and shrouds, a Martin radiator, new coolant tubes, and overhauled brakes with fresh discs. The Mustang will also retain original fuel cells, bomb shackles, and drop tanks, and will be accompanied by a complete set of P-51 manuals.
Platinum Fighter Sales emphasizes that this project represents an extraordinary opportunity to own a TF-51 Mustang restored to the highest standards of craftsmanship. With all major components already secured and work actively progressing, the aircraft will be completed to the same level of excellence as Tom Reilly’s acclaimed XP-82. A structured payment plan will support the project, with a significant down payment required to secure the contract and the remaining balance divided into quarterly installments. For collectors and enthusiasts, this TF-51 project is not only a chance to own a piece of aviation history reborn but also to shape its final form, ensuring a warbird that will stand among the finest of its kind. For more information, visit www.platinumfighters.com.
