Collings Foundation TF-51D

[jimh]

The Collings Foundation is about to launch it's rebuilt TF-51D. The project is taking on the identity of TF-51D Toulouse Nuts. We have the original cowling featuring the name. What we don't have is the art work on the accessory cowling. It features two nuts...seems simple. BUT there is no clear photo. We are doing our best to keep it as accurate as possible. We are offering dual in Toulouse Nuts, once it joins the Wings of Freedom tour on a between city flight. The conditions...we need a clear photo of the artwork. We have 3 books published by Jack Smith on the 167th ANG...and 3 photos of 655...but no clear shots of the noseart. I have attached the best photo we have. Please email me at [email protected]

Best,

Jim Harley

 

[Airframes]

Great stuff Jim. Sorry I can't help with photos.

 

[fubar57]

Out of camp in 8 hrs Jim. If no one has anything I'll start looking. I have a few books about the ANG and quite a few P-51 books that include the ANG.


Geo

 

[jimh]

No worries Airframes! Looking forward to seeing what you can find Geo...so far we have found only 3 photos of her. Thanks again!

Jim

 

[Crimea_River]

Jim, if this route doesn't work out, these guys might help: Warbird Colour Services - Home.

The main contact is Steve Atkin and I have his email if you need it.

 

[GregP]

I think the wood floorboard is fun to make and finish. You can take pity on the guys and use a dull or semi-gloss finish with maybe some sand in it so they don't slip, or you can laugh and finish it perfectly, complete with wax and watch as they fall down in the cockpit. If you laugh, they'll know it was you. Sleep awake that night.

We used a semi-gloss and made it a bit non-slip for Miss Velma (now in the UK).

 

[BiffF15]

Good luck and looks great so far!

 

[GregP]

For the gun ports, a lot of people go to a five and dime store and get very small stainless steel bowls. They fit right in the port when cut and you drill a hole in the bottom for the gun barrels. Looks very authentic ... and doesn't rust quickly since it is cheapo stainless. I've sen those on maybe 10 P-51s.

Good luck! As said above, looks good so far.

 

[jimh]

Thanks Greg! I am pretty sure Ashley is putting in the varnished floor boards. The cockpit is painted green, and is fairly stock. We asked our pilot pool what they would like to see incorporated into this restoration that would be an improvement on Betty Jane. It boiled down to mostly switch positions. We really like the light colored floor, GPS on the top left side of the panel, engine coolant temp. and pressure gauges, fuel flow gauge, and few other things that have been brought to the new Mustang from Betty Jane.

Future plans include a baggage door and guns and dummy ammo in the wings. It's going to be a fun machine that's for sure!

Jim

 

[Geedee]

Currently sat trawling the World Wide Wait looking for pics !

 

[fubar57]

Sorry Jim, found plenty of ANG P-51s but nothing on your bird. I have a few other books to go through.


Geo

 

[fubar57]

Just a thought. I don't know if you're familiar with www.scribd.com. A brazillion books, documents etc. I just typed in "Air National Guard" into the search box and 381,551 documents popped up...Documents matching "Air National Guard" | Scribd. It's getting harder to read now as they want you to become a paying member. If you hold your cursor over a document, the holder of the document is shown. For starters, look for "CAP History Library", this opens up all the documents he has. A very large selection of US aviation history.

Geo

 

[jimh]

Thanks Geo, I'll give that a try! TF's were pretty unique back then...it amazes me that more shutterbugs didn't capture this one more. The Indiana ANG TF sure got a lot of attention. This one, not so much. Again thanks for all the effort. Remember the end reward...it will be worth it!

Jim