Angela in the back of "Janie"
Angela loves aeroplanes and she loves flying -
or is it just the pilots she likes - I'm still not sure!
She has flown in a variety of aircraft, but for
a long time a flight in a P-51 Mustang was at the top of her list.
However, recently, that ambition has been fulfilled with a flight in
Maurice Hammond's "Janie".
On a
perfect August afternoon they took-off from Raydon, and after a run
and break down the runway, they headed towards Felixstowe for a
flight around the East Anglian coastline - landing at Hardwick: Maurice's home
airfield. After a cup of tea it was into the air
again in the PT-13 Stearman to return to Raydon. Needless to
say Angela still hasn't stopped smiling.
P-51 Mustang "Janie" with PT-13 Stearman N4712V
in the Background
A close-up of "Janie" - note Bill Price's
signature*
A quick wave before take-off
Smoke pours from the exhausts as the Merlin
engine roars into life
Angela jumps out of the Stearman after landing
back at Raydon
A very happy Angela
Angela with the pilot of the
Stearman - Chris
Close up of Stearman
Stearman Tail
Stearman in the late evening sunshine
* Bill Price
Bill Price flew from Rayon in 1944 as part of
the 353rd Fighter group. He named his P-51 Mustang after his sister
- "Janie".
In 2005 Bill, aged 85, returned to Raydon. He arrived in
"Janie", Maurice Hammond's P-51 which is painted in the exact
colours of Bill's original.
Our thanks go to Maurice, Chris and John for
making this all possible.
All the above pictures were taken on a Hasselblad 500cm with
80mm Planar lens More
Review of the 2007 Gathering
Mustang
P-51D “Janie”
UK
Registration G-MSTG
USAAF
Serial Number 45-11518
Engine
Packard Merlin V-1650-07
Power 1509hp
Max Speed
437mph
PT-13
Stearman
Registration N4712V
USAAF
Serial Number 42-16931
Engine
Pratt & Whitney R-985
Power 450hp
Max Speed
124mph
Other Aircraft Flown In
Cessna 172
G-BIGJ
G-BTMA
G-BOYP
dH 82A Tiger Moth
G-ANRM
G-APAO
dH 89A Dragon Rapide
G-AIYR
