Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 3, 2006 12:21:43 GMT 12
It is fascinating reading the fate of the remaining Mustangs when they were sold off by the Govt Stores board in April 1958.
NZ2402 was sold for ₤150 to a Gerald Oman of Gisborne, who was a topdressing pilot.
NZ2403 was sold to Hastings pilot Kenneth Olsen for ₤100.
Sadly neither of them picked up their purchases from Woodbourne, and the aircraft were later onsold to ANSA, the orchard equipment company from Upper Moutere, near Nelson.
ANSA bought the rest of the Mustangs at the sale too, most for just ₤70, but NZ2410 and NZ2415 were in a damaged state so they sold to them for just ₤25.
ANSA used the wheels to make trailers, or apple trains, which were towed around to collect the apples in the orchards.
Most of the P-51D's had already had their engines removed before sale but some did not and so ANSA constructed some trailers with the wheels on which they mounted a few Merlin engines and props, and apple orchradists towed them, running, around their orchards in the early hours of winter mornings to stop the frost settling on their apple trees. Dad worked a season in an Upper Moutere apple orchard and said the sound of Merlins echoing through the valley in the early morning was awesome.
Most aircraft had also had their wings cut off at Woodbourne. Once ANSA had removed the wheels and engines, the rest was melted down for scrap.
However, three Mustangs did survive to go into private hands.
NZ2417 was sold to Ron Fechney of North Canterbury, and was the first to return to the air as ZK-CCG. This was sold overseas and this now flies in the USA with Kermit Weeks as 'Cripes A Mighty III"
NZ2427 went to Pete Coleman of Blenheim directly from the Government Stores Board sale, for ₤80 in May 1958. Coleman restored it very nicely to static condition but later disassembled it. The components sold to the Alpine Fighter Collection in about 1993, who considered restoring it, but then they got another flyable Mustang so this one was sold on to Maurice Hammond of Suffolk, UK and registered as G-MSTG on the UK register. He restored it to flying condition with a first flight on the 13th of July 2001. It now thrills thousands at UK shows painted as "Janie" of the 353FG USAF 1945.
NZ2423 was also sold directly from the GSB sale in May 1958, to W. Ruffel of Blenheim who wanted it to provide parts for a speed boat. In 1964 he sold it to John Smith of Mapua, near Nelson, where it remains in Mr Smith's collection.
NZ2402 was sold for ₤150 to a Gerald Oman of Gisborne, who was a topdressing pilot.
NZ2403 was sold to Hastings pilot Kenneth Olsen for ₤100.
Sadly neither of them picked up their purchases from Woodbourne, and the aircraft were later onsold to ANSA, the orchard equipment company from Upper Moutere, near Nelson.
ANSA bought the rest of the Mustangs at the sale too, most for just ₤70, but NZ2410 and NZ2415 were in a damaged state so they sold to them for just ₤25.
ANSA used the wheels to make trailers, or apple trains, which were towed around to collect the apples in the orchards.
Most of the P-51D's had already had their engines removed before sale but some did not and so ANSA constructed some trailers with the wheels on which they mounted a few Merlin engines and props, and apple orchradists towed them, running, around their orchards in the early hours of winter mornings to stop the frost settling on their apple trees. Dad worked a season in an Upper Moutere apple orchard and said the sound of Merlins echoing through the valley in the early morning was awesome.
Most aircraft had also had their wings cut off at Woodbourne. Once ANSA had removed the wheels and engines, the rest was melted down for scrap.
However, three Mustangs did survive to go into private hands.
NZ2417 was sold to Ron Fechney of North Canterbury, and was the first to return to the air as ZK-CCG. This was sold overseas and this now flies in the USA with Kermit Weeks as 'Cripes A Mighty III"
NZ2427 went to Pete Coleman of Blenheim directly from the Government Stores Board sale, for ₤80 in May 1958. Coleman restored it very nicely to static condition but later disassembled it. The components sold to the Alpine Fighter Collection in about 1993, who considered restoring it, but then they got another flyable Mustang so this one was sold on to Maurice Hammond of Suffolk, UK and registered as G-MSTG on the UK register. He restored it to flying condition with a first flight on the 13th of July 2001. It now thrills thousands at UK shows painted as "Janie" of the 353FG USAF 1945.
NZ2423 was also sold directly from the GSB sale in May 1958, to W. Ruffel of Blenheim who wanted it to provide parts for a speed boat. In 1964 he sold it to John Smith of Mapua, near Nelson, where it remains in Mr Smith's collection.