Originally 44-84961 during world War II, this Mustang was sold surplus in 1958 becoming N7751C. It began racing in 1964 , was modified as "Miss RJ" in 1967, modified some more as "Roto-Finish" and finally modified again with a RR Griffon engine driving contra-rotating 3 bladed props as "Red Baron" after 1974. The racer crashed during the Reno Races on September 6, 1979. The remains were bought by Fighter Rebuilders of Chino, CA in 1985 and combining parts from another Mustang (44-73053 and ex Indonesian Air Force), rebuilt the aircraft as a stock P-51D.

WSK built about 500 of the ubiquitous Po-2 under licence between 1948 and 1956 as the CSS-13. Some served as air ambulances with a closed rear cockpit. The emblem on the tail of this one, which was available for joy flights that day, is marked with the legend "6olat wosl"

Following the acquisition of Caledonian by British Airways, advertising the "World's Biggest Offer" promotion

Undoubtedly one of the highlights of my enthusiast career was a flight on this fabulous beast out of Krakow, including a beat-up and overshoot of runway 25 which I videoed from the glass nose cone. Originally '51' with the Polish AF in 1966 (although SP-LZB also carried), partial LOT colours through the 70s, seen at LHR 12.77 full c/s and reg to Air Sofia as LZ-SFS 2.95. Leased to Sri Lankan and damaged in cross-fire at CMB 7.01. To Dynami 1.07, ATMA UN-11014 5.07 and United Int'l YU-UID 9.07; stored at Fujirah as EX-154 from 2010

US Air Force 44-74908 was sold to the RCAF January 1951. It was put into storage at Winnipeg, MB after being damaged in a belly landing in 1956. Sold to the USA as N1070Z in 1959 although it was eventually repaired to flying status in Winnipeg. Eventually to Robert Pond/Planes of Fame East 1980 and moved to the Palm Springs Air Museum with the same owner in 1997. Restored with new markings and a standard P-51D tail with Red Tail Squadron livery.

The first Airtrainer delivered to the RAAF is seen in service with No 1 FTS at Point Cook, which closed the next year. This aircraft was preserved in the RAAF Museum at the same airfield, repainted in its original green and yellow colour scheme.

The Mooney Mustang was the first pressurized single engine piston to be certified. It was sold for less than the cost to produce and fewer than 40 were built.

My uncle lived not far away so I visited the RAAF Museum, and got permission to photograph some Airtrainers of No 1 Flying Training School which was still operating at this time. This aircraft became VH-YBD.