Restoration of Thompson Trophy-Winning P-51D Mustang

1947 North American P-51 Mustang N13Y #45 Racer Photo
United Fuel Cells


1947 North American P-51 Mustang N13Y #45 Racer Photo
1947 North American P-51 Mustang N13Y #45 Racer Photo

The New England Air Museum’s (NEAM) North American P-51D Mustang, N13Y, has been moved out of storage and into their 11,000 square foot restoration hangar, where crew chief Pete McConnell and his team are now putting the historic machine back into its 1948 Thompson Trophy-winning configuration.

Originally delivered to the USAAF in January 1946 as 44-72400, the P-51 was sold as surplus that July. In December 1946 it was acquired by National Airlines pilot, Anson Johnson who began to modify the airplane, shortening the wings by 2 feet on each side, removing as much excess weight as possible and fitting a Packard Merlin engine.

Johnson entered the bright yellow N13Y in the Thompson Trophy event at the 1948 Cleveland Air Races. The strong field included two Goodyear F2G Super Corsairs, a modified Bell P-39 Cobra II flown by test-pilot “Tex” Johnson, two Bell P-63 Kingcobras, as well as five other Mustangs. Johnson’s strategy was to go for reliability rather than outright maximum speed, a strategy that paid off as his competitors lost the battle of attrition as their high-strung power plants broke down forcing them out of the races. The Mustang won at a speed of 383.78 MPH, nearly 20 MPH faster the second place P-51D, the only other finisher of the races being a Bell P-63C which loafed in at 313.56 MPH.

Johnson made even more radical modifications for the 1949 season, but it was all for naught as he failed to finish in any of the further races. Johnson then decided to go after the world piston-powered airspeed record of 469.22 MPH, set by Fritz Wendel on April 26, 1939 in a Messerschmitt Me 209. During June 1952 at Key Biscayne, Florida, Johnson and N13Y made one run at 503 MPH, but problems with the timing equipment during the official runs ruined the attempt. Soon after this disappointment Johnson sold the aircraft.

Pete McConnell and his restoration team at NEAM are restoring N13Y to its overall yellow, 1948 Thompson Trophy color scheme, after which this historic Mustang will take its place in NEAM’s already impressive collection of air racing machinery.

Moreno-Aguiari

Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.

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About Moreno Aguiari 3376 Articles
Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.

1 Comment

  1. This aircraft needs to debut in Reno, at the races like some of the other legacy racers… Even if only for one time… Like race 57, race 74, race 13 (14), etc…

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