Since the last report on the P-51C the fuselage has been mated with the wings to allow more detailed fitting out to take place. We can now concentrate on the area of the lower firewall and remake all the pieces that where otherwise missing.

The electrical system is all but finished and with the fuselage and wings joined will allow us the opportunity to complete this area. Once the engine is re-installed the coolant and oil lines can be fabricated and installed. The radiator has been overhauled and one of our new manufacture P-51 cores fitted by Anglia Radiators who have also flushed and pressure tested the oil cooler.

The tail section is almost ready to be mated to the fuselage once the correct P-51B/C tail oleo lock pin has been manufactured from a drawing held on our micro film records. The original pin was found to be off a D model aircraft and without the necessary cam profile to operate the down lock micro switch.

The exercise in creating the correct uplock hooks is nearly over, with the final machining operation being carried by Suffolk Precision Aerospace. Once complete a set of these hooks will be winging there way to John Paul in Idaho who is restoring a P-51C and was kind enough to loan us parts from his own aeroplane to help with our own restoration. Thanks John!