The RNZAF received 30 Mustangs in 1945 from the United States as part of the planned replacement of the Corsair fighter aircraft. It was intended that the RNZAF receive a total of 370 Mustangs, however this did not eventuate. The 30 initially delivered were placed into storage at Hobsonville after the War until 1951 when the Territorial Air Force was re-quipped with them. The majority were withdrawn from service in 1955 and sold for scrap, although a small number remained active for a further eighteen months as drogue towers. This aircraft was produced by North American Aviation at Inglewood,


The RNZAF received 30 Mustangs in 1945 from the United States as part of the planned replacement of the Corsair fighter aircraft. It was intended that the RNZAF receive a total of 370 Mustangs, however this did not eventuate. The 30 initially delivered were placed into storage at Hobsonville after the War until 1951 when the Territorial Air Force was re-quipped with them. The majority were withdrawn from service in 1955 and sold for scrap, although a small number remained active for a further eighteen months as drogue towers. This aircraft was produced by North American Aviation at Inglewood, California, and rebuilt to Cavalier standards by Cavalier Aircraft Company in the early 1970s for supply to the Indonesian Air Force under the Mutual Aid Programme in 1972. The aircraft was exchanged for a Vampire in 1985 and was rebuilt to P-51D standards at RNZAF Base Ohakea.


Size: 1938px × 1290px
Photo credit: © NZ Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: -51d, aircraft, airforce, american, christchurch, dslr-a580, fighter, ication, image, mustang, north, photo, photograpgh, propeller, rnzaf, sony, usaf, world, ww2