Brendon Deere's P-51D Mustang NZ2423

[Deleted]

Facebook link

Back to project tasks today .........

NZ2423 20230718 Brendon Deere 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

[nuuumannn]

Jul 18, 2023 9:47:24 GMT 12 @zacyates said:

Facebook link

Back to project tasks today .........

NZ2423 20230718 Brendon Deere 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

Thanks for keeping us updated, Zac, although you know as well as I do we see these on FB before you put them here, tee hee...

[agile]

Not all of us. I don't use Facebook, except (using an alt) to post updates on our project, so I come here for updates on this project, and I know I'm not the only one.

[boz]

Hi Zac. I agree with Alex: don't do Facebook and really enjoy seeing your updates. Really appreciate you taking the time to load them. Please keep them coming

[planecrazy]

Also will be a great reference in the future, won't see many Mustang restorations
if indeed any restorations with as much detail start to finish then her flying future.

Thanks Zac and Brendon.

[Deleted]

Happy to help! Here's today's update from Facebook:

With the Mustang back with us after the extended painting process, we have moved on with fitting of various airframe items and test fitting and rigging. The lower engine cowls have been tested for fit as have the clamshell doors now resplendent in their “Ohakea Green” shade. That colour might take a bit of getting used to but it is a distinctive part of the identity it carried when operating from RNZAF Ohakea.

The work has also begun getting the propellor ready for re assembly after its overhaul in the US. The cockpit is getting more and more complete with just a couple of instruments awaiting fitting and some more plumbing of the cabin hot/cold air system and fitting of the plywood cockpit floor panels which protect the coolant pipe runs underneath. Amongst the new spares we received with the aircraft was a complete upgrade kit for the cockpit hot/cold system to reflect the last modification state. The comfort of the Mustang pilot was well looked after compared to the comparable Spitfire pilot – essential given the long Mustang bomber escort missions over Europe or the Pacific.

NZ2423 20230721 Ohakea Brendon Deere 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230721 Ohakea Brendon Deere 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230721 Ohakea Brendon Deere 03 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230721 Ohakea Brendon Deere 04 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230721 Ohakea Brendon Deere 05 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230721 Ohakea Brendon Deere 06 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230721 Ohakea Brendon Deere 07 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230721 Ohakea Brendon Deere 08 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230721 Ohakea Brendon Deere 09 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230721 Ohakea Brendon Deere 10 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230721 Ohakea Brendon Deere 11 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230721 Ohakea Brendon Deere 12 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230721 Ohakea Brendon Deere 13 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230721 Ohakea Brendon Deere 14 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230721 Ohakea Brendon Deere 15 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230721 Ohakea Brendon Deere 16 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230721 Ohakea Brendon Deere 17 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230721 Ohakea Brendon Deere 18 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230721 Ohakea Brendon Deere 19 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230721 Ohakea Brendon Deere 20 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230721 Ohakea Brendon Deere 21 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230721 Ohakea Brendon Deere 22 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

[tbf2504]

The first part of the Mustang rebuild is covered as an article in the latest KIWI FLYER magazine out now in your favourite magazine shop. Many thanks to Brendon and his team and ZAC for the info that helped form the article Paul H

[Mustang51]

Im waiting for the book on the rebuild and the signature of the owner and all those involved ! Bags first in line with dollars.....

[Deleted]

Jul 24, 2023 11:31:12 GMT 12 tbf2504 said:

The first part of the Mustang rebuild is covered as an article in the latest KIWI FLYER magazine out now in your favourite magazine shop. Many thanks to Brendon and his team and ZAC for the info that helped form the article Paul H

I better start looking for copies for Mustang51 and I!

[Mustang51]

Damn right !!!!!

[Deleted]

Another update today (FB link):

This week we have been back into re assembly and rigging tasks. The clamshell doors with their distinctive Ohakea Green faces have been setup and are now installed permanently on the aircraft. The main leg doors have also been set up and these have gone off to have their High Speed Silver finish added before also going on permanently.

The ailerons have also now been installed permanently – not an easy job on the Mustang because of the design of the ailerons. As part of the preservation of airflow across the wing, the ailerons have an extended piece of aluminum going forward of the leading edge. This in turn fits into a stainless steel and canvas shroud inside the trailing edge of the wing to “seal” the flow between the top and bottom faces of the aileron and prevent air bleeding between and thus loss of lift and creation of turbulence over the aileron.

Next week a key task is to re assemble the Hamilton Standard four bladed propellor. This is an “uncuffed” version of the prop. All of the RNZAF Mustangs bar one had uncuffed blades.

NZ2423 20230728 Ohakea Brendon Deere 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230728 Ohakea Brendon Deere 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230728 Ohakea Brendon Deere 03 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230728 Ohakea Brendon Deere 04 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230728 Ohakea Brendon Deere 05 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230728 Ohakea Brendon Deere 06 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230728 Ohakea Brendon Deere 07 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230728 Ohakea Brendon Deere 08 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230728 Ohakea Brendon Deere 09 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230728 Ohakea Brendon Deere 10 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230728 Ohakea Brendon Deere 11 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230728 Ohakea Brendon Deere 12 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230728 Ohakea Brendon Deere 13 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230728 Ohakea Brendon Deere 14 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230728 Ohakea Brendon Deere 15 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230728 Ohakea Brendon Deere 16 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230728 Ohakea Brendon Deere 17 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230728 Ohakea Brendon Deere 18 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230728 Ohakea Brendon Deere 19 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230728 Ohakea Brendon Deere 20 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230728 Ohakea Brendon Deere 21 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230728 Ohakea Brendon Deere 22 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

[planecrazy]

Wow she's coming along, imagine it has been stated earlier, so the reason for the "Ohakea green" on the interior of the clam shell doors?

[johnnyfalcon]

Because that's how she was finished at Ohakea. Historically accurate.

[chrisr]

The most unique, original and beautiful Mustang in the world. How good does that scheme look?

[Deleted]

FB link

A carefully calibrated hammer is an essential tool in the re assembly of NZ2423's Hamilton Standard propeller which is now ready to be installed back on the aircraft. Thanks to Lance Lovejoy who has been with us the last two days to complete the task assisted by Brian Harris.

I'm very sorry folks: there's a video but I've no clue how to embed it here. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Deleted]

FB link to this week's big update, which is:

We have had quite a productive week on the Mustang project in our Palikulo hangar despite the plunging temperatures. The main blade assembly on the Hamilton Standard propeller was assembled this week with the four solid aluminium blades mated back with the hub. The dome assembly is already assembled as part of the overhaul process and will be fitted when the prop assembly is back on the aircraft. Once gain many thanks to Lance Lovejoy who came down to help us with this key task – one where knowledge and experience are critical.

We have also continued with various rigging tasks around the aircraft. The main undercarriage retract mechanisms have now been fitted and setup for clearances and function and now await hydraulic tests. The flaps are likely to be installed next week completing the installation of the functional units operated by the aircraft hydraulic system. The process of rigging the ailerons has also been largely completed.

The bomb racks and most of the zero rail rocket mounts have now been fitted (except where the lifting jacks are in the way). We have also been working through planned placements of many more of the small stencils that will adorn our aircraft. One nice finishing touch is the mounting of the aerials for the rear warning radar fitted to this and late production Mustangs – the same system also used on the B52 bomber.

NZ2423 20230804 Ohakea Brendon Deere 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230804 Ohakea Brendon Deere 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230804 Ohakea Brendon Deere 03 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230804 Ohakea Brendon Deere 04 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230804 Ohakea Brendon Deere 05 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230804 Ohakea Brendon Deere 06 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230804 Ohakea Brendon Deere 07 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230804 Ohakea Brendon Deere 08 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230804 Ohakea Brendon Deere 09 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230804 Ohakea Brendon Deere 10 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230804 Ohakea Brendon Deere 11 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230804 Ohakea Brendon Deere 12 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230804 Ohakea Brendon Deere 13 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230804 Ohakea Brendon Deere 14 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230804 Ohakea Brendon Deere 15 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230804 Ohakea Brendon Deere 16 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230804 Ohakea Brendon Deere 17 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230804 Ohakea Brendon Deere 18 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230804 Ohakea Brendon Deere 19 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230804 Ohakea Brendon Deere 20 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230804 Ohakea Brendon Deere 21 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230804 Ohakea Brendon Deere 22 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230804 Ohakea Brendon Deere 23 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230804 Ohakea Brendon Deere 24 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230804 Ohakea Brendon Deere 25 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230804 Ohakea Brendon Deere 26 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230804 Ohakea Brendon Deere 27 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230804 Ohakea Brendon Deere 28 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230804 Ohakea Brendon Deere 29 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

[Mustang51]

Simply bloody marvellous !!!!!

[Deleted]

It’s official: Mustang Two Three is now a civilian!
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr

[delticman]

Aug 10, 2023 12:14:13 GMT 12 @zacyates said:

It’s official: Mustang Two Three is now a civilian!
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr

Same registration as a former Wanganui Aero Work Fletcher Zac.

[Deleted]

Aug 10, 2023 15:36:58 GMT 12 delticman said:

Same registration as a former Wanganui Aero Work Fletcher Zac.

Brendon told me he had to ask Aerowork if it was okay to use it!

Time for another Facebook progress update (link):

Another week rolls by on our journey to return P51D Mustang NZ2423 to the skies. The flaps have now been partially installed and the first of the elevators is installed and being rigged by Pete. Joe has been installing the complex cold and hot air system for the pilots comfort. The system draws cold air from in front of the radiator and hot air from aft of the radiator and feeds to adjustable nozzles around the pilot. These feeds plus the coolant feed pipes all reside on the cockpit floor under the seat and under floorboards in the forward section of the cockpit.

Brian has been fitting out the removeable manual hydraulic hand pump that can be attached on the side of the engine mount to operate hydraulics on the ground without the engine running. This was normally stored in one of the gun bays when not being used. The aircraft battery is now fitted adding another key piece of the electrical system. Some more detailing stencils are being positioned for painting next week.

NZ2423 20230811 Ohakea Brendon Deere 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230811 Ohakea Brendon Deere 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230811 Ohakea Brendon Deere 03 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230811 Ohakea Brendon Deere 04 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230811 Ohakea Brendon Deere 05 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230811 Ohakea Brendon Deere 06 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230811 Ohakea Brendon Deere 07 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230811 Ohakea Brendon Deere 08 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230811 Ohakea Brendon Deere 09 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230811 Ohakea Brendon Deere 10 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230811 Ohakea Brendon Deere 11 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230811 Ohakea Brendon Deere 13 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230811 Ohakea Brendon Deere 14 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230811 Ohakea Brendon Deere 15 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230811 Ohakea Brendon Deere 16 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230811 Ohakea Brendon Deere 17 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230811 Ohakea Brendon Deere 18 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230811 Ohakea Brendon Deere 19 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230811 Ohakea Brendon Deere 20 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20230811 Ohakea Brendon Deere 21 by Zac Yates, on Flickr