Brendon Deere's P-51D Mustang NZ2423

[Deleted]

I've written a short piece for Vintage Aviation News on the first flight in advance of a more in-depth interview with Brendon. I don't expect there's anything new in it for followers of this thread but I thought it made sense to post it here (also please let me know if you spot any errors!).

[planecrazy]

Something I just noticed and it may have been covered somewhere back there,
she wears 511 behind the fin flash on the starboard side and 513 on the port
side of the fin flash, both numbers not linked to 2423?

Call me a rivet counter.............

[Antonio]

Nov 19, 2023 21:09:34 GMT 12 planecrazy said:

Something I just noticed and it may have been covered somewhere back there,
she wears 511 behind the fin flash on the starboard side and 513 on the port
side of the fin flash, both numbers not linked to 2423?

Call me a rivet counter.............

Yes has been covered.
USAAF serial number

[tbf2504]

The answer to your question on the rudder markings is straight forward. When mustangs were delivered to the USAAC/USAAF they carried their serial number minus the first figure on the fin and rudder, reading from left to right on each side i.e in the case of NZ2423 serial number 4511513. the 45 is the year of manufacture. As the aircraft received the RNZAF fin flash only the last three or first three numbers remained on the original fabric covering of the rudder. There is a good example of those original markings on the airforce museum NZ photographic collection. Just go to browse our collection and search for NZ2423

[Antonio]

There sure is.
Here ya go:

MUS040034

[Deleted]

Dispatches from Ohakea! (link)

Flight #2 completed this morning............

ZK-BHT 20231122 Ohakea Brendon Deere 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

(link)

A Mustang on the line at Ohakea again.........

ZK-BHT 20231122 Ohakea Brendon Deere 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

[Deleted]

And another! (link):

NZ2423 returning to the apron after its 3rd test flight this afternoon - the second of today. We were able to get airspace in one of the RNZAF training areas this afternoon and Sean was able to put the aircraft through a sequence of maneuvers and confirm an adjustment made after the first flight today. The 3rd test flight was nearly an hour and tested a variety of power settings within the aircraft's performance envelope. The Mustang has now flown nearly 3 hours and we are very pleased with its performance.

We are very aware of the number of people that have asked to come and watch the test flying or be given a "heads up" when its happening but our focus has been very much on the aircraft preparation for each flight. We expect to be able to publish some indication of future test flying at Ohakea from next week but can't guarantee timing on any one day with busy RNZAF flying activities most days. Its likely that much of the test flying will now occur in training areas near Ohakea rather than over the field.

NZ2423 20231122 Ohakea Brendon Deere 03 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

[gibbo]

Nov 22, 2023 18:07:36 GMT 12 @zacyates said:

And another! (link):

NZ2423 returning to the apron after its 3rd test flight this afternoon - the second of today. We were able to get airspace in one of the RNZAF training areas this afternoon and Sean was able to put the aircraft through a sequence of maneuvers and confirm an adjustment made after the first flight today. The 3rd test flight was nearly an hour and tested a variety of power settings within the aircraft's performance envelope. The Mustang has now flown nearly 3 hours and we are very pleased with its performance.

We are very aware of the number of people that have asked to come and watch the test flying or be given a "heads up" when its happening but our focus has been very much on the aircraft preparation for each flight. We expect to be able to publish some indication of future test flying at Ohakea from next week but can't guarantee timing on any one day with busy RNZAF flying activities most days. Its likely that much of the test flying will now occur in training areas near Ohakea rather than over the field.

NZ2423 20231122 Ohakea Brendon Deere 03 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

LOL and to ensure I show no favourtism I will copy my comment from another thread   ... Wow...awesome, just bloody awesome! Mind blowing to think we are concurrently watching 2 ex-RNZAF aircraft of the 1940's taking flight again = NZ2423 & NZ5648

[Antonio]

Nov 9, 2023 11:15:58 GMT 12 Antonio said:

Has any thought been given to inscribing John Smith's name on the aircraft?
Say the canopy frame?
Just seems appropriate to me.

And another thought,
How about a photo on 23 in front of the old 2 Squadron hangar (currently Wellington Aero Club?) at Wellington?
Taking the squadron history way back to the original territorial days.

[30sqnatc]

Nov 22, 2023 23:38:18 GMT 12 Antonio said:

Nov 9, 2023 11:15:58 GMT 12 Antonio said:

Has any thought been given to inscribing John Smith's name on the aircraft?
Say the canopy frame?
Just seems appropriate to me.

And another thought,
How about a photo on 23 in front of the old 2 Squadron hangar (currently Wellington Aero Club?) at Wellington?
Taking the squadron history way back to the original territorial days.

Dicy. We may just arrange some fog to close the airport once it lands then Wellington can claim ownership, well possession

[Deleted]

Yesterday's update from Brendon on Facebook (post link):

We managed to get two more Mustang flights in this week, both on Wednesday. Although we had planned one, airspace availability meant we were able to get our third flight in that day. The first two test flights were conducted in the overhead at Ohakea but for the third flight the Mustang was able to venture out to one of the training airspace areas north west of Ohakea (area MAMBA). This allowed Sean Perrett to more extensively test the handling of the aircraft for 0.9 hours. This was a "snag" free flight and very pleasing. A Texan escort for the return journey was a bonus - perhaps not quite in the same league as our RAAF colleagues who featured an F35 alongside their Mustang last weekend.
We also prepared the Spitfire to go to Wings over Wairarapa but made the decision yesterday to operate the aircraft from Ohakea to the show if the weather permits. The well known taxying hazard of soft ground from expected rain was too much of a risk for the Spitfire. The Air Force Heritage Flight formation of the Black Falcons with the Spitfire is something we have very much looked forward to showing at Masterton.

NZ2423 20231122 Ohakea Brendon Deere 04 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20231122 Ohakea Brendon Deere 05 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20231122 Ohakea Brendon Deere 06 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20231122 Ohakea Brendon Deere 07 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20231122 Ohakea Brendon Deere 08 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20231122 Ohakea Brendon Deere 09 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20231122 Ohakea Brendon Deere 10 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
NZ2423 20231122 Ohakea Brendon Deere 11 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

[Deleted]

link

P-51D-25NT Mustang NZ2423 had its fourth test flight today out in one of the Ohakea training areas. Each flight allows us to make small systems adjustments ready for the next flight. Next flying is now planned for Thursday and/or Friday of this week depending on what the weather brings. Friday's flight will operate overhead Ohakea (airspace permitting) - timing to be confirmed.

ZK-BHT 20121127 Ohakea Brendon Deere 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

[planecrazy]

Nov 25, 2023 18:49:56 GMT 12 @zacyates said:

Yesterday's update from Brendon on Facebook (post link):

We managed to get two more Mustang flights in this week, both on Wednesday. Although we had planned one, airspace availability meant we were able to get our third flight in that day. The first two test flights were conducted in the overhead at Ohakea but for the third flight the Mustang was able to venture out to one of the training airspace areas north west of Ohakea (area MAMBA). This allowed Sean Perrett to more extensively test the handling of the aircraft for 0.9 hours. This was a "snag" free flight and very pleasing. A Texan escort for the return journey was a bonus - perhaps not quite in the same league as our RAAF colleagues who featured an F35 alongside their Mustang last weekend.
We also prepared the Spitfire to go to Wings over Wairarapa but made the decision yesterday to operate the aircraft from Ohakea to the show if the weather permits. The well known taxying hazard of soft ground from expected rain was too much of a risk for the Spitfire. The Air Force Heritage Flight formation of the Black Falcons with the Spitfire is something we have very much looked forward to showing at Masterton.

NZ2423 20231122 Ohakea Brendon Deere 11 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

Wonder how close/distant the performance of the Mustang is compared to the Texan?

Not that I am anyway qualified but imagine the Texan would out perform the Mustang but maybe not by as much as you would think perhaps?

[joey05]

P51D vs T6C Texan II

Max Speed 710kmh vs 586kmh
Cruise Speed 583kmh vs 510kmh
Range 2660km (w tanks) vs 1700km
Climb 3200ft/min vs 3100ft/min
Max T/O Weight 5488kg vs 2948kg

Not a lot between them!

[Deleted]

Who wants to see her flying?

Mustang 23 will be flying tomorrow (Thursday) at 1100 and also on Friday at a similar time. Both weather permitting.

[Deleted]

'twas a busy day at Ohakea yesterday for aircraft built before 1950! link

Back to 1950's Ohakea............

ZK-BHT and ZK-ENA Ohakea 20231130 Brendon Deere 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

For simplicity's sake I'll include all of Brendon's photos from this link, rather than just the photos including the Mustang:

A few ground photos from today's busy program at Biggin Hill

ZK-BHT and ZK-SPI Ohakea 20231130 Brendon Deere 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-BHT and ZK-SPI Ohakea 20231130 Brendon Deere 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-BHT and ZK-SPI Ohakea 20231130 Brendon Deere 03 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-ENA and ZK-SPI Ohakea 20231130 Brendon Deere 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-BHT Ohakea 20231130 Brendon Deere 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-BHT Ohakea 20231130 Brendon Deere 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-ENA Ohakea 20231130 Brendon Deere 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-SPI Ohakea 20231130 Brendon Deere 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-BHT Ohakea 20231130 Brendon Deere 04 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-BHT Ohakea 20231130 Brendon Deere 05 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-BHT Ohakea 20231130 Brendon Deere 06 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-BHT Ohakea 20231130 Brendon Deere 07 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-BHT Ohakea 20231130 Brendon Deere 08 by Zac Yates, on Flickr


link

Not the sharpest photo but you certainly get the message head on....the Mustang will be flying at Ohakea again tomorrow (Friday) at approximately 11:00 with SQNLDR Sean Perrett at the controls and we also have some special visitors. The Spitfire will also take to the air at some point with SQNLDR Stu Anderson at the controls but the two aircraft will be operating independently.

ZK-BHT Ohakea 20231130 Brendon Deere 09 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

[planecrazy]

Dec 1, 2023 8:39:16 GMT 12 @zacyates said:

'twas a busy day at Ohakea yesterday for aircraft built before 1950! link

ZK-SPI Ohakea 20231130 Brendon Deere 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

The Spitfire will also take to the air at some point with SQNLDR Stu Anderson at the controls but the two aircraft will be operating independently.

Realise this thread is all about the Mustang, I really like the weary look of the Spitfire
with her flat paint and that exhaust staining. We are very lucky to have people like
Brendon who do this stuff for warbird fans.

[Deleted]

Dec 1, 2023 8:52:21 GMT 12 planecrazy said:

Dec 1, 2023 8:39:16 GMT 12 @zacyates said:

ZK-SPI Ohakea 20231130 Brendon Deere 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

Realise this thread is all about the Mustang, I really like the weary look of the Spitfire
with her flat paint and that exhaust staining. We are very lucky to have people like
Brendon who do this stuff for warbird fans.

[/a][/quote]
I believe this photo may have been taken as Stu Anderson had just completed his first flight in the Spitfire...look at that smile!

There were some special visitors to the Palikulo hangar today link:

It was good to have a visit from George, Robbie and Craig Smith today. George, brother of previous custodian of NZ2423, John Smith, had not seen the Mustang since it left Mapua back in 2020 so it was great he got to see it fly today.

ZK-BHT Ohakea 20231201 Brendon Deere 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-BHT Ohakea 20231201 Brendon Deere 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

[McFly]

"Ex-Royal New Zealand Air Force Mustang makes maiden post-restoration flight"...

A good write-up/article from 'Key Aero' here (link)..

[hrvd1068]

I cant wait to see mustang 15 parked next to mustang 23. Also cant wait to see her up close as the last time i saw her was at john smiths place.