New P-51 Restoration - Hardwick

[Biggles1049]

A visit late on Sunday afternoon to Hardwick co-incided with one of the monthly open days at the 93rd BG Museum (open 3rd Sunday in the month May to October)

As luck would have it Maurice Hammond had all his aircraft outside on Display on the nearby Airstrip - the undoubted highlight was the first public appearance of his new P51D "Marinell" .The aircraft has recently been completely restored and has undertaken engine runs and taxying trials within the last few days. It is just awaiting paperwork before it takes to the air once more.

The aircraft is registered as G-MRLL , a North American P51D-5-NA. It wears the markings of the 339th FG, 504th FS , as "413521", 5Q-B, and is named "Marinell"


Even the sun played its part allowing the following images to be taken

G-MRLL Starboard side view
http://www.abpic.co.uk/images/thumbs/1119722_t.jpg

For bigger image click link below

North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang, G-MRLL, Maurice Hammond (http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1119722/)
G-MRLL Atmospheric rear view
http://www.abpic.co.uk/images/thumbs/1119723_t.jpg

For bigger image click link below
North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang, G-MRLL, Maurice Hammond (http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1119723/)

Also noted were

G-MSTG P51D "Janie"
G-HAEC P51D "Big Beautiful Doll" (visitor - departed in formation with"Janie")

G-ELMH / "42-84555" " EP-H " "Fools Rush in" Harvard Starboard view North American AT-6D Texan, G-ELMH, Maurice Hammond (http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1119718/) Port view (previous image) North American AT-6D Texan, G-ELMH, Maurice Hammond (http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1066255/)

G-AMVD / "TJ565" Auster 5 Auster 5, G-AMVD, Private (http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1119717/)

Stearman (PT-13D) N4712V (ex 42-16931) (previous image)
Boeing E75 Stearman, N4712V, private (http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1028473/)

Other aircraft had visited earlier that day including a Spitfire and a
ME108, but had departed before I arrived

[Yak11Fan]

Fantastic pictures, I ended up running around too much to take pics so its nice to see yours. First engine runs took place on 21st June, progress has been good since then.
On a related note, did you happen to get any more pics of the Harvard? My partner was in the back, seems she has moved on from flying with me in the Stearman.

[Yamagata ken]

Sorry to drift, but I was interested to see Hardwick mentioned. I lived about 1/4 mile south of the airfield in the late 70s/ early 80s. It was closed then and the remaining buildings were in terrible condition. The runway was used for storing chicken ****. I used to help out on the farm part time. I was forever ploughing up live .50 calibre ammunition which the aircrews chucked out just prior to landing. I had a nice collection on the mantlepiece.

Glad to see Hardwick being put to proper use again :ok:

[treadigraph]

Thanks for the pics Biggles.

Yak11Fan, is there a brief history on this stunning restoration? I was looking on the web last night but couldn't find much.

Well done Maurice and team, what's next? (A rest I should think...)

Cheers

Treadders

[Biggles1049]

Hiya Yak 11fan - your wish is my command !

http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k355/Biggles1049/Hardwick/g-elmhto.jpg


http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k355/Biggles1049/Hardwick/g-elmh3.jpg

http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k355/Biggles1049/Hardwick/gelmh2.jpg

Best regards

[Yak11Fan]

Biggles1049, Fantastic, many thanks, I'll pass them on to her, I'm sure she will be chuffed.

Yamagata ken, the original airfield is active again with a number of light aircraft using one of the original runways, we are based on a grass strip on the old communal site just to the east of the main airfield.

Treadigraph, the history is, the aircraft crashed on 13th August 1944, the substantial remains went to a tachnical school in France and then on to a French collector who sold them to Maurice in 1999, the decision was taken to restore the aircraft late in 2003. As for whats next, yes I think a rest would be good.

[Biggles1049]

A few more of "Marinell"
http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k355/Biggles1049/Hardwick/portfront.jpg


http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k355/Biggles1049/Hardwick/portside.jpg

http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k355/Biggles1049/Hardwick/starfront.jpg

http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k355/Biggles1049/Hardwick/starsidefr.jpg