Brendon Deere's P-51D Mustang NZ2423

[axelford]

Feb 16, 2023 16:28:44 GMT 12 ZacYates said:

Facebook link here

Its nice to capture that moment when the plan is successful.

In other words: "I love it when a plane comes together." 

Edit: Thank you for sharing these photos man! I really hope to see it at the likes of Wings of Wairarapa sometime! 

[teemack]

Thanks for the response, Brendan. Yes, that makes perfect sense. I'll continue watching with much excitement! One other query, perhaps better directed to Zac: when the restoration is complete, what will happen to all these pics? Will this thread remain available for future reference? Thanks!

[ZacYates]

Feb 20, 2023 17:08:13 GMT 12 teemack said:

One other query, perhaps better directed to Zac: when the restoration is complete, what will happen to all these pics? Will this thread remain available for future reference? Thanks!

As long as I keep up my payments to the photo hosting site the photos in this thread aren't going anywhere

[ZacYates]

Here's this week's bumper update on Facebook (link):

Some steady progress this week now that the fuselage and wings are together permanently as we have been able to get on with a number of key tasks. The plywood floor boards have been installed in the cockpit as well as the overhauled fuel selector.

Fieldair have completed the overhaul of three of our collection of Thompson submersible fuel pumps (two for the aircraft and one spare). These will be fitted to the wing fuel tanks shortly which in turn will allow the final fitting of the fuel tanks.

The main landing gear units are awaiting assembly next week before they can be fitted and also the wheels need their tyres fitted. The clamshell doors now feature their “Ohakea Green” finish. I’m not sure who at Ohakea came up with that colour in the 1950s but its unusual to say the least. The main wheel wells are getting more fittings by the day.

NZ2423 20230224 Ohakea Brendon Deere 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230224 Ohakea Brendon Deere 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230224 Ohakea Brendon Deere 03 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230224 Ohakea Brendon Deere 04 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230224 Ohakea Brendon Deere 05 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230224 Ohakea Brendon Deere 06 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230224 Ohakea Brendon Deere 07 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230224 Ohakea Brendon Deere 08 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230224 Ohakea Brendon Deere 09 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230224 Ohakea Brendon Deere 10 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230224 Ohakea Brendon Deere 11 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230224 Ohakea Brendon Deere 12 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230224 Ohakea Brendon Deere 13 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230224 Ohakea Brendon Deere 14 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230224 Ohakea Brendon Deere 15 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230224 Ohakea Brendon Deere 16 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230224 Ohakea Brendon Deere 17 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230224 Ohakea Brendon Deere 18 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230224 Ohakea Brendon Deere 19 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230224 Ohakea Brendon Deere 20 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230224 Ohakea Brendon Deere 21 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230224 Ohakea Brendon Deere 22 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230224 Ohakea Brendon Deere 23 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

[planecrazy]

So cool, love the gun bay shot.

[teemack]

Fantastic work!

[ZacYates]

An update from Brendon on Facebook yesterday morning (link):

Another week of a mixture of tasks in our Biggin Hill and Palikulo hangars. Harvard 37 has been up for a few flights with the Air Force Heritage Flight for pilot currency. The Spitfire completed its annual on Friday with a ground run and will now be cowled up for a short flight this week ready for its trip down to Wellington on Sunday 19th March.

Work on the Mustang has been focused on plumbing and wiring in the wheel wells and we are still waiting on assembly of the main undercarriage units. Once these are assembled and fitted, we plan to wheel the P51 outside for some milestone photographs.

NZ2423 20230305 Ohakea Brendon Deere 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230305 Ohakea Brendon Deere 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230305 Ohakea Brendon Deere 03 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230305 Ohakea Brendon Deere 04 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230305 Ohakea Brendon Deere 05 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230305 Ohakea Brendon Deere 06 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230305 Ohakea Brendon Deere 07 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230305 Ohakea Brendon Deere 08 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230305 Ohakea Brendon Deere 09 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230305 Ohakea Brendon Deere 10 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230305 Ohakea Brendon Deere 11 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230305 Ohakea Brendon Deere 12 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230305 Ohakea Brendon Deere 13 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

[ZacYates]

My profuse apologies for the delay on this one folks, I've recently started a new job and the long hours have knocked me around a bit. Here's Brendon's Facebook update from 11/03/2023 on Mustang Two Three (FB link here):

Another week of little steps with the Mustang. The hydraulic lines are now largely complete in the undercarriage bays. It's worth noting that virtually all of these are from the aircraft and have been cleaned, inspected, refurbished and tested before going back in place – yet another connection with what came out of the North American factory in 1945 and ensuring conformity with the specifications of the time. Similarly all but one of the coolant pipes is original also connecting back to the work done at the Dallas factory.

The main undercarriage retract rams and the clamshell door hydraulic rams are also in place now.

Work has continued with assembling the undercarriage legs with one completed. The second one put up more of a fight so we have to wait now for some replacement seals to come from the US to complete this task. Still all in all, the project is tracking along nicely.

NZ2423 20230311 Ohakea Brendon Deere 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr\NZ2423 20230311 Ohakea Brendon Deere 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr\NZ2423 20230311 Ohakea Brendon Deere 03 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230311 Ohakea Brendon Deere 04 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230311 Ohakea Brendon Deere 05 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230311 Ohakea Brendon Deere 06 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230311 Ohakea Brendon Deere 07 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230311 Ohakea Brendon Deere 08 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230311 Ohakea Brendon Deere 09 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230311 Ohakea Brendon Deere 10 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230311 Ohakea Brendon Deere 11 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230311 Ohakea Brendon Deere 12 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230311 Ohakea Brendon Deere 13 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230311 Ohakea Brendon Deere 14 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230311 Ohakea Brendon Deere 15 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230311 Ohakea Brendon Deere 16 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230311 Ohakea Brendon Deere 17 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230311 Ohakea Brendon Deere 18 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230311 Ohakea Brendon Deere 19 by Zac Yates, on Flickr


And also a very good question was posed by William Payne on the group: "What skill if any are you finding in short supply when it comes to finding people who do things as they would have been done in the 40’s?"
Brendon's reply:

The North American Aviation documentation is excellent and provides most of the guidance we need coupled with the skill of our restoration team.

[planecrazy]

The best thing about this restoration has been the detailed pictures (thanks Zac & Brendon) it
amazes me the intricacies of all the pipe work to think everyone of those pipes and connectors
are essential to this machine doing all the things it has to do.

Well done to all, has to be up there with one of the most authentic Mustang restorations so far.

[chbessexboy]

I feel the same way planecrazy. These aircraft are so complex, yet were spat out in their thousands. It makes you realise how they could be brought down with a single well aimed (or lucky) round.

[Antonio]

Mar 14, 2023 14:41:43 GMT 12 chbessexboy said:

I feel the same way planecrazy. These aircraft are so complex, yet were spat out in their thousands. It makes you realise how they could be brought down with a single well aimed (or lucky) round.

And with amazing Lockheed efficiency, converting the concept (and all those drawings) into a prototype in just over 3 months!

[ZacYates]

Posted by Brendon Deere on the BHHAC Facebook page on March 17 (link here): she's got legs!

Another good week on our restoration of P51D Mustang NZ2423 with some more visible progress. The two main undercarriage legs have been assembled and pressure tested and now fitted permanently to the aircraft including their brake units.

The tyres and tubes have been fitted to the main wheels and are getting some paint touch ups at the moment. We have also begun lifting the aircraft up a bit higher to allow future retract testing. The downlocks on the undercarriage have been setup and work as expected.

The three replica machine guns have now been fitted to the starboard wing to complete the set of six and the wiring of the aircraft is close to being completed.

20230317 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230317 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230317 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 03 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230317 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 04 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230317 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 05 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230317 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 06 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230317 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 07 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230317 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 08 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230317 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 09 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230317 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 10 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230317 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 11 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230317 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 12 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230317 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 13 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230317 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 14 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230317 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 16 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230317 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 17 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230317 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 18 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230317 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 19 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230317 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 20 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230317 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 21 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230317 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 22 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230317 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 23 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

[Mustang51]

Lovely tell your mother........

[ZacYates]

I did, as it happens! She was only mildly interested - she loves the sound of a beat-up rather than hearing "it has legs now" and other mechanical updates from her obsessed son!

I have a week off work after an accident on my days off so here, for the first time in a while, is a timely re-post of a Mustang 23 news update! (FB link):

This week has been mainly focused on small details on the aircraft. When we received the aircraft from Mapua, the gun camera area was full of small spares items. Once these were cleared, we realised everything in there was intact minus the camera so we have restored this area back to factory fresh state. The gun camera compartment has a small shutter which is connected by cable to the port undercarriage. The shutter is spring loaded and moves into the closed position when the undercarriage is extended, to protect the camera from dust and dirt. When the undercarriage is retracted, it opens to allow normal operation of the gun camera – simple but effective.

We are also trying to incorporate the latest mod states on the aircraft including modifications introduced by the RNZAF. The detailed files held at the National Archives plus material held at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand at Wigram, have filled in a lot of detail. One example is the RNZAF decision in late 1952 to change the aluminium brake lines on the undercarriage legs to copper which we are now replicating. The clever hydraulic fitting on the top of the undercarriage allows the leg mounted hydraulic line to move with the leg and a flexible hose section will straddle the moving part of the oleo.

We have also been busy completing the wiring on the aircraft plus the essential testing of the various circuits and systems - its pleasing that most of the electrical systems have worked as expected first time with just a few “tweaks” needed.

NZ2423 20230324 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230324 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230324 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 03 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230324 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 04 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230324 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 05 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230324 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 06 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230324 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 07 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230324 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 08 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230324 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 09 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

[ZacYates]

Facebook link to yesterday's update:

Some more good progress this week on our P51D Mustang project. The pre oiler has been installed in the engine bay and is just waiting on some plumbing. We fit pre oilers and oil heaters to all our aircraft as it means warm oil is already circulated around the engine when it starts. Work has begun installing the main fuel tanks with the port wing tank first. Once installed the tank covers/stress panels can be installed.

The main wheels are also ready to be installed – we weren’t able to replicate the offset block tread pattern on the RNZAF aircraft so have gone for the close diamond tread pattern. The six replica .50 caliber machine guns are in place with both their firing solenoids and gun heaters installed. Both will have their wiring connected to the terminal block area as per the original although obviously won’t need to function. It’s interesting to observe again just what John Smith collected as we ended up with 45 of the gun heaters although only six are needed for an aircraft.

NZ2423 2020331 Ohakea Brendon Deere 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 2020331 Ohakea Brendon Deere 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 2020331 Ohakea Brendon Deere 03 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 2020331 Ohakea Brendon Deere 04 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 2020331 Ohakea Brendon Deere 05 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 2020331 Ohakea Brendon Deere 06 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 2020331 Ohakea Brendon Deere 07 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 2020331 Ohakea Brendon Deere 08 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 2020331 Ohakea Brendon Deere 09 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 2020331 Ohakea Brendon Deere 10 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 2020331 Ohakea Brendon Deere 11 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 2020331 Ohakea Brendon Deere 12 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 2020331 Ohakea Brendon Deere 13 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

[ZacYates]

Brendon shared a Facebook update on the Mustang (link) on April 7.

Major focus during this short week has been the fitting of the fuel tanks to the wings and fitting the submersible fuel pumps and cockpit fuel gauges to the tanks. The pumps will be wired in early next week and then the stress panels can be fitted. Once the wheels are fitted, we will be able to lower the aircraft onto its undercarriage and we expect to be in a position to do this next week sometime.

The hydraulic system is nearly complete with the fitting of the all important unloader valve which regulates the hydraulic pressure in the system.

We have also done some initial trial fitting of engine cowls.

20230407 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230407 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230407 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 03 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230407 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 04 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230407 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 05 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230407 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 06 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230407 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 07 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230407 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 08 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230407 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 09 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230407 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 10 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230407 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 11 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230407 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 12 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230407 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 13 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230407 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 14 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230407 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 15 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230407 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 16 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230407 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 17 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230407 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 18 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230407 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 19 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230407 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 20 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230407 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 21 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230407 NZ2423 Ohakea Brendon Deere 22 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

[JW]

Very cool to see the progress on NZ2423 each week.

[davidd]

These photographs remind me very much of American President Clinton visiting the RNZAF Museum at Wigram in (late 1990s?) This was when the machine guns of the P-51 on display had to be removed and placed under some sort of security to prevent any dastardly terrorists from setting up a lethal ambush in the Museum itself. These actions rather surprised some people.

[Mustang51]

Busting to see more shots........

[McFly]

Apr 15, 2023 11:55:43 GMT 12 davidd said:

These photographs remind me very much of the visit of American President Clinton visiting the RNZAF Museum at Wigram in (late 1990s?)

"President of the United States, Bill Clinton (3rd from left), with the New Zealand Prime Minister, Jenny Shipley (3rd from right), her husband, Burton Shipley (2nd from left) and other guests during a function at the Air Force Museum." (15/09/1999) MUS180071