July 19, 2024
Our RCAF 100 celebrations continue as we welcome a visiting P-51D Mustang from August 9 to 11.
Owned by Hannu Halminen of Ontario, this P-51 bears the livery of 424 (City of Hamilton) Squadron. The distinctive tiger emblem is a salute to the colourful history of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the team’s predecessor, the Hamilton Tigers.
This particular Mustang was passed on to the Swedish Air Force in 1945. Ten years later, it was sold to Nicaragua and salvaged in the U.S. in 1963. It was sold again, to the Bolivian Air Force, which flew it from 1966 to 1995. It was subsequently repatriated to the U.S.
Fighter Enterprises, Inc. of Florida restored Halminen’s Mustang, coded BA•S. Work was completed in 2020 and the aircraft made its first post-restoration flight on September 26, 2020.
What made the P-51 Mustang so special?
During the Second World War, controlling the air was key to success on the ground. The long-range P-51 Mustang fighter played a huge role in the Allied victory, enabling the resumption of strategic bombing after heavy losses suffered by unescorted bombers in 1943. Developed by North American Aviation for export to Britain, models modified by the British to use Rolls-Royce Merlin engines became America’s most capable wartime fighters.
The Mustang’s first flight took place on October 26, 1940, less than 150 days after the contract was signed with North American. Early versions were fitted with Allison engines that lacked high altitude performance. They were subsequently used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and RCAF in low-level reconnaissance and ground attack roles. Modifications to the design resulted in the marriage of the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine (like the one on display in our Standard Aero Mechanics’ Workshop) to a re-designed airframe. This combination, known as the Mark IV in RAF and RCAF service, created the legendary Mustang of popular memory, with its exceptional performance and range.
The P-51D Mk IV Mustang achieved speeds over 400 miles per hour, much faster than any existing aircraft at that time. Its low-cost, long-range, and high speeds made it the ideal aircraft to escort bombers in and out of Germany, while also wrestling with German fighters who attempted to attack the bombers. The Mustang’s armament included six 0.5 in (12.7 mm) machine guns plus two 500 lbs (227 kg) high-explosive bombs, two 750 lbs napalm bombs, eight rockets or two drop tanks. With drop tanks the Mustang could fly for up to 9.5 hours.
And how much did it cost to manufacture one of these superstar fighters? Just $54,000 USD.
P-51 Mustangs in service with the RCAF
During WWII, RCAF Squadrons 400, 414, and 430 flew Mustang Mk Is (1942–1944) and 441 and 442 Squadrons flew Mustang Mk IIIs and IVAs in 1945.
Postwar, the RCAF acquired 130 Mustang IV aircraft for use by both regular and auxiliary squadrons, including 402 “City of Winnipeg” Squadron.
402 Squadron received its first 12 Mustangs in November 1950. They flew their Mustangs in the air defence, bomber escort, ground attack, and army cooperation roles until June 1956. The last Mustang was withdrawn from RCAF service in 1961.
At least 49 RCAF pilots perished while flying operations in the Mustang, three of them from Manitoba: Flying Officer David Garrett Burlingam, Flying Officer James Bentley Ferris, and Flight Lieutenant James Archibald MacKelvie. Flight Lieutenant Frederick John Reahil DFC, also from Manitoba, perished while flying with the RAF.
Don’t miss the Mustang in Dr. D.S. Reimer Aviation Plaza
Visiting aircraft like this are possible because of our beautiful outdoor plaza. The Mustang’s visit is part of a special day at the museum where we celebrate Dr. Donald Sanford Reimer, a longstanding and generous donor of the Royal Aviation Museum and benefactor of Dr. D.S. Reimer Aviation Plaza.
On Saturday, August 10, 2024, the museum will host a short ceremony at 1:30 pm to honour Dr. Reimer who passed away in June 2023. The public is welcome to attend.
We’ll be celebrating the grand opening of Dr. D.S. Reimer Aviation Plaza on August 10 with giveaways, games, treats, and more.
Learn more about what’s happening at the museum during the Mustang’s visit.
FEATURE IMAGE BY DEREK MICKELOFF, COURTESY CANADIAN WARPLANE HERITAGE MUSEUM
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