North American P-51D Mustang - Seattle, WA - Static Aircraft Displays on Waymarking.com

With the introduction of the long range P-51 in late 1943 (the P-51D was introduced in mid 1944), fighters could finally escort bombers all the way to their destination and back, greatly reducing bomber losses from that point on. With its long range, excellent climbing ability and great speed, the P-51 was a superb fighter.

Powered by a Rolls-Royce Merlin V-1650-7 V-12 engine producing 1,490 hp, the P-51D had a top speed of 437 mph and a service ceiling of 41,900 ft. It could carry 2,000 pounds of external payload and could be fitted with tip-tanks to extend its range. First seeing action in the European theatre, it was later deployed in the Pacific as well, escorting B-29s on long range bombing missions over Tokyo. Its service life extended to the Korean War and beyond, as it came into use by many allied air forces.

The history of 463607 is somewhat shrouded in mystery.

With regard to this plane's history and markings, we shall defer to the Museum of Flight:
"Although almost certainly one of the best P-51D restorations in existence, the Museum’s aircraft retains a certain mystery as to its origins. Last serving operationally with the Israeli Defense Force/Air Force, the aircraft was probably acquired by Israel from surplus Royal Swedish Air Force stocks in 1952. The Swedes acquired nearly all of their 100 P-51s from war-surplus U.S. Army Air Forces stockpiles in Germany at the end of World War II, making this airframe a probable wartime veteran. Unfortunately, when Israel acquired its P-51s, many of them had their original manufacturer’s data plates removed.

This restored aircraft displays the colors and markings of Lieutenant Colonel Glenn T. Eagleston while he was Commanding Officer of the 353rd Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group flying from Rosières-en-Haye, France, in early 1945. This was the same unit of young Lieutenant Kenneth H. Dahlberg, and Eagleston was his commanding officer. Many years later, Ken Dahlberg, an ace in his own right, was the primary benefactor in the creation of the Kenneth H. Dahlberg Military Aviation Research Center here at the Museum. This accurate restoration was completed by the Champion Air Group and the restoration team at Vintage Airframes in Caldwell, Idaho, especially for the Museum of Flight."

Museum of Flight's page is here: (visit link)

The wiki page is here: (visit link)

Type of Aircraft: (make/model): North American P-51D Mustang Tail Number: (S/N): 463607 Construction:: original aircraft Location (park, airport, museum, etc.): Museum of Flight, Seattle, Washington inside / outside: inside Access restrictions: Admission to the museum is $14 for ages 18 and older and $7.50 for ages 5-17. Admission is free on the first Thursday evening of every month from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Other Information:: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Photo of aircraft (required - will be interesting to see if the aircraft is ever repainted or progress if being restored)
Photo of serial number (required unless there is not one or it is a replica)
Photo(s) of any artwork on the aircraft (optional but interesting)

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