This P-51 D was used as a test aircraft for North American Aviation. They lent it to NACA, now known as NASA, to develop improvements for future production P-51's. NACA performed numerous test and found improvements such as extending the vertical fin to give the aircraft better stability at high speeds. Also the elimination of fabric covered elevators and rudder was another improvement. The last testing performed by this aircraft was for Bell Aircraft after WWII. They used the aircraft as a flying wind tunnel to help develop the airfoil properties for the Bell X-1. NACA placed small airfoils on a raised portion of the wing and dove the P-51 to almost super sonic speeds. The raised portion of the wing would go super sonic since the air traveling over this area had to accelerate to maintain equal flow with the rest of the air foil. This is one of only 14 P-51s used for such testing and development and only two still survive today.

I restored this aircraft almost 13 years ago it took 6 years to complete. I enjoy flying it as much as I can to airshows and other events. I maintain it myself with the help of friends and my son. The time spent with the aircraft is during my time off from flying full time for American Airlines. My family has been evolved in aviation for over 60 years. My father started as a aircraft mechanic for Pan American Airways working on the China Clipper's at Treasure Island. He passed down his passion for aviation to me as I have to my oldest son.

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