“Berlin Express” has been the latest handiwork from the Idaho Falls restoration shop, Pacific Fighters. She is an unique and rare restoration that pays tribute to a famous warbird and pilot took flight for the first time in 70 years on November 27 in Utah. New to the warbird scene in 2015 was this masterful razorback P-51B with a bubble "Malcolm Hood" canopy. Detailed paint and markings for the “Berlin Express” were researched and applied by the talented Muszala team at Pacific Fighters in Idaho Falls.  

[Via www.eaa.org]

The restored fighter is based around the remains of P-51B 43-24837. This Mustang flew with the 9th Air Force’s 363rd FG out of RAF Staplehurst in Kent, England. It crashed in Beckley after the pilot was forced to bail out during a training exercise on June 10th, 1944. Sporting a “Malcolm Hood” canopy and wearing the markings for “Berlin Express”, Pacific Fighter’s newest Mustang is dressed exactly like the 357th FG Mustang which the legendary American ace Bill Overstreet flew under the Eiffel tower while successfully shooting down a Messerschmitt Me-109 in 1944.

The aircraft is owned by Max Chapman, who is the same individual who owns the TF-51D "Mad Max" and was the one who originally commissioned the build and owned the TP-51C which is now owned by the Collings Foundation.

[Creditis images: Connor Madison - Pacific Fighters]  

History / Previous Identities of 1944 P-51B Berlin Express : 

• 1944: Jun 10, crashed, Beckley UK, written-off
• 2012: Restoration
• 2014: May 29, registry, N515ZB, Max Chapman / Gardner Capital Management Corp
• 2014: Aug, engine runs - flying soon
• 2014: Nov 07, first-flight, John Muszala at the controls - Congrats to Pacific Fighters

[Creditis images: Connor Madison - Pacific Fighters]  

Awards:

Oshkosh - Most Authentic & Golden Wrench Award. Reno Smithsonian National Aviation Heritage Invitational's 3 top trophies - People's Choice, Grand Champion, Best Military.

The building of P-51 Berlin Express:

Contact with the seller: price upon request; call or email for more information