On a cold English morning, Ultimate Warbird Flights, the exclusive Spitfire and warbird flight operators located at Sywell Aerodrome in Northampton, unveiled the new paint scheme of the former Australia-based two-seat Mustang VH-MFT. P-51 Mustang “Jersey Jerk” was the mount of Major Donald A. Strait of the 356th Fighter Group, paying homage to his home state of New Jersey.
This Mustang identity was originally built in Melbourne, Australia under license by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) as CA-18 Mk.21, construction number 1435, with the serial A68-110. Delivered in 1948, it spent most of its RAAF life in store, before being ‘sold for scrap’ in 1957. More information is available at this link.
Decades later, the identity reappeared for a composite restoration project via Fort Lauderdale, Florida, according to Geoff Goodall’s research, and was shipped to Australia, arriving at Caboolture, Queensland in May 1995. In 1997, it was registered as VH-MFT and restored to airworthy status, with a first flight coming on 24 January 2002 from its home base at Caboolture, configured with full dual controls for the passenger seat, known as TF-51D configuration. Operating for the following two decades as a joy-flying machine, it was sold in 2020, and recently sold again.
Despite his many accomplishments, General Strait’s memory focused on the men he served with during World War II, and it is their memory he honored through his support of the American Air Museum in Britain. “I supported the Museum even before the first spade of soil was turned. I have visited Duxford almost yearly. And I make sure I contribute every year. I do so because the 8th Air Force conducted the most important air operation in history, and we lost 30,000 men doing it. We need to keep their memory alive.”
Ultimate Warbird Flights is the longest-standing supplier of Spitfire flights, having been in operation since 1985. The company is also the only UK operator of a two-seat, dual-control, P-51 Mustang and the world’s only operator of a two-seat, dual-control, ME109. For more information visit www.warbirdflights.co.uk
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.
Be the first to comment
Graphic Design, Branding and Aviation Art