And these are the imports, same source - (You were right btw! It seems the museum's Cavalier is actually an F-51, and NZ2415 is actually an original North American product! Both cockpits have lost much of their military fittings though unfortunately):
Three other P-51D's have appeared on the New Zealand scene in the intervening years. These are:
A former Indonesian Air Force Cavalier F-51D (c/n 122-41367 ex 44-72487, 72-1541, F367) was swapped for a DH115 Vampire T.11 (NZ5708 ) in 1985. The aircraft was originally built as a P-51D-30NA at Inglewood CA. It was the last of sixteen (six in its batch) converted by the Cavalier Aircraft Corporation to F-51D specification (new engine, new avionics, taller tail, strengthened wing) for the USAF as part of the Military Assistance Programme (MAP). The Indonesians had operated a number of P-51D Mustangs, and the Cavaliers were the last of the type, with 8 F-51D COIN aircraft delivered in 1973. By 1975 most were unserviceable, and they were replaced by the OV-10F in September 1976. This aircraft has been rebuilt to P-51D configuration by the RNZAF Museum, where it is displayed as NZ2410 in the colours of 4 (Otago) Squadron of the Territorial Air force.
ZK-TAF, a P51D-30NA (c/n 122-41369, ex 44-74829, RCAF9265, N8675E, N169M, N169MD, N769MD, NL769MD) was built at Inglewood, CA (June 29, 1945) and delivered to the USAF on July 3, 1945. It was not struck off charge until January 21, 1951, although it is recorded as having been taken on charge by the Royal Canadian Air Force on January 10. It remained with the RCAF until May 14, 1959. During this time it is known to have operated with 402 Squadron at Uplands, Ontario. After its RCAF service the aircraft went back to the US where it was civilianised by Aero Enterprises Inc. of La Porte, IN and registered as N8675E. Sold to Dr Burns Byrum of Marengo, IN in 1967, the aircraft was re-registered as N169M and later as N169MD (perhaps reflecting the owners profession. The next owner was John Dilley of Muncie IN in 1967 who had the aircraft re-registered as N769MD. The aircraft passed to M. Ramsey of Johnson, KS on May 30, 1976; and then to Consolidated Airways of Fort Wayne, IN in November 1982. The last registered US owner was Fort Wayne Air Services Inc in March 1984. At some point the aircraft had been seriously damaged in a forced landing at night (pre-1973?), and now was rebuilt utilising some substantial components of an unidentified ex-Indonesian (AURI) Mustang. It was test flown at Fort Wayne, returning to the air as NL769MD on November 13, 1984. The aircraft was then imported to New Zealand by Sir Tim Wallis and re-assembled at Wigram, where it made its first New Zealand flight on January 24, 1985. The aircraft was presented in the colours of 3 (Canterbury) Squadron CO S/L Ray Archibald's aircraft NZ2415 with its distinctive red spinner. The aircraft continued to operate under its US registration until May 27, 1986 when it was registered to Alpine Helicopters Ltd. In the late 1980's Sir Tim Wallis wanted to sell the aircraft in favour of a Spitfire, so the NZ Historic Aircraft Trust was set up to keep the aircraft in New Zealand. This was successful, but the Trust could only raise sufficient funds to operate the aircraft and could not buy it outright. Major shares were bought by John Sager and Graham Bethell, while the Trust kept an interest. Graham Bethell purchased the aircraft outright in 1996. Today the aircraft is based at Ardmore and is still painted to represent NZ2415.
ZK-PLI (c/n 122-39879, ex 44-73420, N7722C) a P-51D-25NA was the last to be imported. Built at Inglewood CA in 1945, the aircraft was shipped to the Middle East on April 18, 1945. However with the war in Europe ended the ship returned to the US and the aircraft was unloaded on July 20th. The aircraft subsequently served with a number of units including the 190th fighter squadron at Boise, ID and 6 units of the Air National Guard, accumulating 1,291 hours. Retired and sold in January 1958, the aircraft was registered as N7722C to D. Bell of Livermore CA. In 1965 the aircraft passed to R. Bixler of San Jose CA, and then to R. Phillips of Vienna VA. When the aircraft went to A. Giebel of Midland TX in October 1978, it had accumulated 1495 hours (with 105 on the engine). On December 20 1984 the aircraft was registered to D. Smith of Midland TX, and when last flown in August 1985 the aircraft had completed 1857 hours (with 495 on the engine). The aircraft was sold to Brian Hore and the AFC and shipped to New Zealand in December 1993, arriving the following month. The US registration was cancelled in January 1995, and it became ZK-PLI on March 28, 1995. Because of the length of time since the aircraft was last used (eight years since the last engine run) a month was spent checking components before re-assemby at Wanaka began. The engine was run a week before the 1994 Warbirds over Wanaka airshow, with the first flight on April 1st being a day before the show. The aircraft was subsequently fitted with dual-controls manufactured by the Santa Monica Museum of Flying. It has been reported that the aircraft is painted to represent 'Isobel III' (41-3573) as flown by F/L Jack Cleland of the 363rd FS, 357th FG from Leiston. This was a temporary scheme worn during the 1998 Warbirds over Wanaka airshow. The aircraft continues to be operated in an unpainted aluminium scheme featuring US markings and the name 'Miss Torque'. Until 2004 the aircraft was operated by Bi-Plane Adventures in association with the AFC. For more information, click here. The aircraft was removed from the New Zealand register on June 4, 2004, with the aircraft having been exported to the USA.