Brendon Deere's P-51D Mustang NZ2423

[Deleted]

Hi folks,
Unfortunately I’m unable to do my normal update sharing this week and next so I hope these work::

www.facebook.com/groups/119982544710555/permalink/10070187686356608/?mibextid=S66gvF
www.facebook.com/groups/119982544710555/permalink/10069126079796102/?mibextid=S66gvF
www.facebook.com/groups/119982544710555/permalink/10060713190637391/?mibextid=S66gvF

[Deleted]

Hi folks, next week things will be back to normal for me posting-wise but in the meantime here’s this week’s update www.facebook.com/groups/119982544710555/permalink/23895317740083702/?mibextid=cr9u03

[planecrazy]

Excellent little clip by Malcolm Laird of Ventura Publications on RNZAF Mustangs lives,
realise this is not '23' would imagine close to what her life was, interesting towards the
end of the clip '02' on the inside of the gear doors.

[baz62]

Sept 24, 2023 9:09:36 GMT 12 planecrazy said:

interesting towards the
end of the clip '02' on the inside of the gear doors.

And looks to be the same dark green on the doors.

[planecrazy]

Sept 24, 2023 9:32:57 GMT 12 baz62 said:

Sept 24, 2023 9:09:36 GMT 12 planecrazy said:

interesting towards the
end of the clip '02' on the inside of the gear doors.

And looks to be the same dark green on the doors.

Indeed, wonder if they used house paint as mentioned for the original roundels overpaint?
Asked about the reason for the "Ohakea green" before was there a reason for this, wonder
if they did the wheel wells as well?

[Mustang51]

Cannot wait to see this magnificent machine rolled out

[JW]

Getting close now

nzcivair.blogspot.com/2023/10/great-progress-on-biggin-hill-trusts-p.html

[Antonio]

Oct 1, 2023 21:13:34 GMT 12 JW said:

Getting close now

nzcivair.blogspot.com/2023/10/great-progress-on-biggin-hill-trusts-p.html

THAT looks fantastic:

[Deleted]

Thanks for sharing those JW and Antonio! I've been out of the country for 2.5wk and then in Motueka for the weekend so now, finally, I'm home and able to share the last update. It's a goody (FB link).

Another productive week on our project as we draw a close to the restoration phase of the project and move on to the certification tasks. This week we also farewell Pete Burgess who has completed his restoration work on the project and moves on to bringing another aircraft back to life. Pete has done a tremendous job for us bringing skill, dedication and high work quality to the project throughout the last three years. Pete has helped restore both a Spitfire and Mustang now for us and his contribution has been first class in all respects. Pete will likely be back to help us with one of the key ground runs and of course the test flight depending on his other work commitments.

The arrival of the Butler parachute for the Mustang this week was pretty much the last of the equipment deliveries. It is a custom unit designed to fit the original Warren McArthur seat in our P51D. We also were able to put some fuel in each of the wing tanks to check for any leaks – good news on that front – another first since it was last refuelled at Ohakea on the 30th May 1957.

With all the avionics tests complete, we were able to close up the radio box behind the armour plate and fit the canopy as well as testing the canopy emergency release system. The spinner has been fitted in place and the balance of the fairings on the aircraft have been fitted along with the cowls ready for next week’s key tasks.
We have begun the process of working with CAA to prepare for certification of the aircraft to fly. For this aircraft it is broadly a two stage process. The initial objective is to get an Experimental certificate for the aircraft which will allow us to conduct the test flying program. We are lucky to have had our test flying program designed for us by SQNLDR Luke Flemington who is a graduate of the Empire Test Pilots School at Boscombe Down in England.

The certification of NZ2423 involves quite a few separate processes and required paperwork as well as a physical inspection by CAA staff. Brian and Joe are very much focused now on ensuring all of our project records are ready for inspection and other required inspections are complete – these work records have been built up from day one on the project and ensure that we can demonstrate the restoration has been true to its design state when it left the Dallas factory in 1945.

Part of the certification process is the ability to apply for an Identifiable Paint Scheme. It means that if CAA accept the markings on the aircraft clearly and distinctively indicate the specific aircraft’s identity, then it does not need to carry the usual ZK-BHT registration marking, helping maintain its authentic look. The same process allows us to apply for a unique call sign to be used with Air Traffic Control – in this case Mustang Two Three. Its ADSB identity will be MUST23 on flight tracking software.

Next week should see us complete three important tasks on the journey with the aircraft being weighed to establish the centre of gravity. Also we will be doing a compass swing on the compass pad at Ohakea - this will be the first time NZ2423 has been out on the airfield at Ohakea since 1957. The third task will be to undertake an engine run on our apron. The compass swing and engine run will need a bit of help from the current inclement weather. The weather today prevented us getting the cowled up aircraft outside for some photos in natural light. Hopefully its time on the compass pad next week will make up for that.

NZ2423 Ohakea 20230929 Brendon Deere 00 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 Ohakea 20230929 Brendon Deere 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 Ohakea 20230929 Brendon Deere 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 Ohakea 20230929 Brendon Deere 03 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 Ohakea 20230929 Brendon Deere 04 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 Ohakea 20230929 Brendon Deere 05 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 Ohakea 20230929 Brendon Deere 06 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 Ohakea 20230929 Brendon Deere 07 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 Ohakea 20230929 Brendon Deere 08 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 Ohakea 20230929 Brendon Deere 09 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 Ohakea 20230929 Brendon Deere 10 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 Ohakea 20230929 Brendon Deere 11 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 Ohakea 20230929 Brendon Deere 12 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 Ohakea 20230929 Brendon Deere 13 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 Ohakea 20230929 Brendon Deere 14 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 Ohakea 20230929 Brendon Deere 15 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 Ohakea 20230929 Brendon Deere 16 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 Ohakea 20230929 Brendon Deere 17 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 Ohakea 20230929 Brendon Deere 18 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 Ohakea 20230929 Brendon Deere 19 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 Ohakea 20230929 Brendon Deere 20 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 Ohakea 20230929 Brendon Deere 21 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 Ohakea 20230929 Brendon Deere 22 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 Ohakea 20230929 Brendon Deere 23 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 Ohakea 20230929 Brendon Deere 24 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 Ohakea 20230929 Brendon Deere 25 by Zac Yates, on Flickr


And a quick video (https://www.facebook.com/groups/119982544710555/posts/23950427867906022/)

[planecrazy]

Wow, would be boring if I wrote wow lots of times but wow!

The accuracy and authentic-ness is one thing, also the speed how this has
gone from a "barn find" to well almost a flyer is amazing, can't wait to see
some Gavin Conroy air to airs over Ohakea?

[Deleted]

Peter, I agree completely - it's all come together so quickly compared to some restorations but without any sacrifices being made. It's fantastic!

An update from yesterday: the lady is weighed! (Facebook link):

Aircraft weighing completed today - the data is used to establish the centre of gravity and the ballast needed to bring it in range (which is mounted in the fin).

NZ2423 Ohakea 20231002 Brendon Deere 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 Ohakea 20231002 Brendon Deere 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 Ohakea 20231002 Brendon Deere 03 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 Ohakea 20231002 Brendon Deere 04 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 Ohakea 20231002 Brendon Deere 05 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

And then, from a couple of hours ago...(FB link):

A little bit of a nod to history today - the first time NZ2423 has been out on the airfield at Ohakea since 30th May 1957.

NZ2423 Ohakea 20231003 Brendon Deere 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

[Damon]

The above image of NZ2423 out on the tarmac ,absolutely stunning.

[Deleted]

It took my breath away when I saw it!!

A blog update from NZ Civil Aircraft is also available, flashing back to the big move (link).

[johnnyfalcon]

Oh, words fail me...

[skyhawkdon]

That last photo is on the compass pad. Doesn't she just look amazing!

[baz62]

Oct 3, 2023 18:58:15 GMT 12 skyhawkdon said:

That last photo is on the compass pad. Doesn't she just look amazing!

I second that!

[Dave Homewood]

Brendon just sent me this photo, which he says is an exclusive shot just for the WONZ Forum. Thanks!!

[markrogers]

Beautiful photo!

[Mustang51]

She is stunning !!!

[Antonio]

Oct 5, 2023 7:21:18 GMT 12 Mustang51 said:

She is stunning !!!

Certainly is and this is one lady whose weight CAN be discussed.