Dates

Event

Constructed as a P-51D-30-NT by North American at Dallas, Texas, USA.

Circa 1945

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Army Air Force with s/n 45-11553.

Circa 20 September 1957

Transferred to McClellan AFB CA.
Sold as surplus.

1957

To unknown owner with c/r N5414V.
Sold as surplus from McClellan.

From Circa 1963 to Circa 1969

To Richard D. Weaver, Van Nuys, CA with new c/r N713DW.

By 29 May 1965

To unknown owner with c/r N713DW.

From 29 May 1965 to 6 June 1965

Raced as #6.
Competed at the National Air Races Los Angeles in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Richard Weaver. No time was recorded and finished in 8th place. Raced in the Reserve race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 357.38 mph.

From 23 September 1965 to 26 September 1965

Raced as #15.
This was a stock P-51D but with general airframe cleanup including the removal and refairing of wing gun ports and a highly turned Merline geared to dive a F8F-2 propeller. Competed at the Las Vegas International Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Richard Weaver. Qualified in 5th place with an average speed of 372.76 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 352.76 mph.

September 1965

Photographer: Malcolm Gougan Collection
Notes: Photographed at Las Vegas, NV.

From 27 May 1966 to 30 May 1966

Raced as #15.
Apparently arrived at the National Air Races Los Angeles, may have qualified and may even have competed in the Unlimited class, but we do not have any documented results (no times or placements). The primary pilot was Dick Weaver. No results were recorded for the race. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 351.93 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 360.27 mph.

From 21 September 1966 to 26 September 1966

Raced as #15.
Number 15 entered both of the two sanctioned Unlimited Class pylon races held in 1966: The Los Angeles National Air Races and the Reno National Championship Air Races. Dick qualified his racer for both final events. He finished in fifth place at both contests. Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Dick Weaver. Qualified in 5th place with an average speed of 364.99 mph. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 356.09 mph. Started the Trophy race, but did not finish.

Circa 21 September 1966

Photographer: Robert F. Pauley

Circa 21 September 1966

Photographer: Al Chute
Notes: Al Chute shot this fine study of Dick Weavers Mustang on the ramp at the 1966 Reno Air Race

Circa 21 September 1966

Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the National Championship Air Races at Stead Field, near Reno, NV.

Circa 1970

To Thomas A. Neal, Pasadena, CA.

From Circa 1971 to Circa 1972

To Anthony J. D Alessandris, Reno, NV with new c/r N22DC.

From 29 May 1971 to 29 May 1971

Unknown Race #.
The race was from Milwaukee Mitchell Municipal Airport to Civic Memorial Airport, to East Alton, IL (309 miles). The race number is not known. The primary pilot was Wallace Oches. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 9th place with an average speed of 301.8 mph.

29 February 1972

Certificate of airworthiness for NL5415V {2} (F-51D, 45-11553) issued.

Circa 1977

To Anthony J. D Alessandris, Reno, NV with new c/r N51T {1}.

1977

It is not clear why, but the registrations of USAAF s/n 45-11571 c/r N5415V and USAAF s/n 45-11553 c/r N51T were swapped. This has led to some confusion suggesting the restoration of one absorbed the other, but the ongoing operation and appearances indicates this is not the case.
For more information about this other airframe see this Airframe Dossier

July 1977

To Anthony J DAlessandris, Reno, NV with new c/r N51TZ.
N51TZ was a temporary registration used during the registration swap.

Circa November 1977

To Anthony J. D Alessandris, Reno, NV with new c/r N5415V {2}.

From 1977 to Circa 1988

To Richard Smith, Bradbury, CA keeping c/r N5415V {2}.

28 April 1984

Photographer: Malcolm Gougan Collection
Notes: Photographed at Shafter, CA.

From 12 September 1988 to 18 September 1988

Raced as #553, named RESTLESS.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Bill Rheinschild. Qualified in 31st place with an average speed of 329.061 mph.

Circa 1989

To RWR Development, Las Vegas, NV keeping c/r N5415V {2}.

From 11 September 1989 to 17 September 1989

Raced as #553, named No Business.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Bill Rheinschild. Qualified in 26th place with an average speed of 349.039 mph. Raced in Heat 1C. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 360.518 mph. Raced in Heat 3. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 375.747 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 7th place with an average speed of 363.628 mph.

Circa 3 December 1989

Involved in an incident.
Ground collision with a Cessna at Van Nuys, CA.

3 December 1989

Crashed.
The accident occurred at the Van Nuys Airport (VNY) Van Nuys, CA, United States while taxiing. The damage was minor. The C-172, N5364K, had just landed on runway 34R and had pulled off onto taxiway 7E, short of taxiway e. They were instructed by tower to hold short of taxiway e for northbound traffic on taxiway e. The P-51, N5415V, had just landed on runway 34L and had pulled off onto taxiway 7F between the two parallel runways. They switched to ground and were cleared to cross 34R...
For a complete description of the event read the NTSB Report.

From Circa 1990 to Circa 1992

To Unlimited Air Racing Inc/Erin Rheinschild, Van Nuys, CA keeping c/r N5415V {2}.

From 7 June 1990 to 10 June 1990

Raced as #553, named No Business.
Competed in the Texas Air Races event. The primary pilot was Erin Rheinschild and Matt Jackson. Qualified in 14th place with an average speed of 322.044 mph. Raced in Bronze Heat. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 313.743 mph. Raced in the Bronze 2 race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 335.749 mph. During qualifying Erin could not pass the formation flying portion of the rookie test so she qualified the race and Matt Jackson piloted during the races.

From 11 August 1990 to 12 August 1990

Raced as #553, named No Business.
Erin Rheinschild was the first female closed-course race pilot. Competed in the Colorado National Air Races event. The primary pilot was Erin Rheinschild. Qualified in 11th place with an average speed of 328.526 mph. Raced in Silver Heat. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 336.552 mph. Started the Consolation race, but did not finish. Left the Silver Final race on lap #5 with a mayday.

From 17 September 1990 to 23 September 1990

Raced as #553, named Miss Fit.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Erin Rheinschild. Qualified in 13th place with an average speed of 380.818 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 7th place with an average speed of 365.452 mph. Did not start in Heat 2C. Raced in Heat 3. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 360.599 mph. Raced in the Medallion 2 race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 387.723 mph.

After 1991

Photographer: Charlene Aro

From 9 September 1991 to 15 September 1991

Raced as #553, named Miss Fit.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Matt Jackson. Qualified in 16th place with an average speed of 374.567 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 380.914 mph. Started Heat 2C, but did not finish. Raced in Heat 3D. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 372.818 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 396.235 mph.

From 14 September 1992 to 20 September 1992

Raced as #553, named Miss Fit.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Erin Rheinschild. Qualified in 11th place with an average speed of 387.921 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 351.588 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 374.461 mph. Raced in Heat 3D. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 372.924 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 398.881 mph.

Photographer: Unknown

From Circa June 1993 to Circa 1995

To Avirex/Jeff Clyman, New York, NY with new c/r N38JC.

Restored.
Restored alto, CA.

Circa July 1993

First flight.

Markings Applied: Jacky C, WZ-I, 511553

By 13 September 1993

To unknown owner with c/r N38JC.

From 13 September 1993 to 19 September 1993

Raced as #40, named The Jacky C.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Alan Wojciak. Qualified in 26th place with an average speed of 314.217 mph. Raced in Heat 1C. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 299.002 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 403.274 mph. Raced in Heat 3. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 299.665 mph. Raced in the Medallion 2 race. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 298.053 mph.

Circa 13 September 1993

Photographer: Tim OBrien

From 18 March 1994 to 20 March 1994

Raced as #40, named Jacky C.
Was to have competed at the Phoenix 500 Air Races in the Unlimited class, but did not arrive. The primary pilot was to be Alan Wojciak.

19 August 1995

Photographer: Mike Henniger
Notes: Photographed at the Wings of Eagles Airshow at Batavia, New York.

19 August 1995

Photographer: Mike Henniger
Notes: Photographed at the Wings of Eagles Airshow at Batavia, New York.

19 August 1995

Photographer: Mike Henniger
Notes: Photographed at the Wings of Eagles Airshow at Batavia, New York.

Circa 16 May 1996

To Mustang Air Inc, Wilmington, DE keeping c/r N38JC.

From Circa February 1997 to Circa 1998

To Blue Sky Aviation/Charles A. Osborn, Pyramid Ranch, Streetman, TX with new c/r N151GP {1}.

15 July 1997

To Blue Sky Aviation, Streetman, TX with new c/r N51VF.

Markings Applied: Shangri la, 472934, VF-T

31 March 1998

To Blue Sky Aviation, Streetman, TX with new c/r N51W.

Markings Applied: VF T

Markings Applied: Shangri-La, WZ I

6 July 2007

Photographer: Jeff Hunt
Notes: KYIP for Thunder Over Michigan

6 July 2007

Photographer: Jeff Hunt
Notes: KYIP for Thunder Over Michigan

30 July 2008

To TH-51 Llc, Springfield, IL with new c/r N51VF.

Based at Vintage Fighters, Clark County Airport, Clarksville, IN.
View the Location Dossier

To Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport, Springfield, IL.
View the Location Dossier

14 April 2014

To unknown owner with c/r N51VF.
Registration pending to a new owner in Montgomery, TX.

29 May 2014

To Fiftyone Flight Llc, Montgomery, TX keeping c/r N51VF.

25 July 2022

Photographer: Andrew Shaw
Notes: Seen at AirVenture 2022, Oshkosh

31 July 2024

To 517LTD, Sulby Isle of Man with new c/r G-FSID.
Operated with markings: VF-T, 472934

31 July 2024

Civil registration, N51VF, cancelled.
Exported to Isle Of Man.