My P-51 Ride

The P-51 Mustang

This is the Palm Springs Air Museum's P-51D Mustang.  

History: This P-51D was built in 1945 and put in storage along with numerous others. It was part of 130 Mustangs that the Royal Canadian Air Force purchased from the USAF. The RCAF flew them from 1946 to 1961.

The Palm Springs Air Museum purchased it from a broker and, as a tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen and Lt. Col. Bob Friend, painted it in the "red tail" colors with "Bunny", after Bob's wife.

Bunny competed in the 2017 Reno Air Races in the Warbird Class and did very well.

In January 2018, the FAA licensed the museum to carry passengers in the Mustang.

Ian, the official museum photographer, is standing on the wing. You can make out the passenger's white hat in the back seat.

Ready to go

This is the GIB (guy in back) strapped in and ready to go.

Last minute check before engine start

Another view of Ian on the wing, talking with Mike, the Pilot. Mike is finishing his pre-start checklist.

Let's get going

The GIB is eagerly awaiting engine start.