P-51B Shillelagh Being Rebuilt

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MIflyer

Captain
8,949
20,232
May 30, 2011
Cape Canaveral
From Flight Journal:

Exciting things are happening with the P-51B "Shillelagh" project! Now under the care of the Dakota Territory Air Museum in Minot, North Dakota, this historic Mustang is making serious strides after a brief pause in its restoration.

Originally owned by the Wings of the North Museum in Minnesota, Shillelagh's restoration was dormant for about a year following the transfer of ownership. But with its new home secured, work is back in full swing. One of the most impressive aspects of this rebuild is the use of "new-old-stock" (NOS) parts—original World War II-era components that were never installed. While not from the exact aircraft that Captains O'Hara and Dahlberg flew in France, these authentic North American Aviation parts give the restoration incredible historical accuracy.

Before the pause, the fuselage framework had been completed and painted. Since restarting, the restoration team has fabricated and riveted most of the fuselage skins, joined the horizontal and vertical stabilizers to the tail section, and prepared the wing components for assembly. Shillelagh's wings are now starting to take shape!

Screenshot 2026-02-10 at 19-16-09 P-51B “Shillelagh” Returns to Life - Flight Journal.png
Screenshot 2026-02-10 at 19-16-29 P-51B “Shillelagh” Returns to Life - Flight Journal.png
Screenshot 2026-02-10 at 19-16-36 P-51B “Shillelagh” Returns to Life - Flight Journal.png
 
Are any bits/pieces from the original aircraft being used or complete new build? Did they recover any of the original?
 
Last edited:
That would be a complete new build as well.
 

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