Mustang arrives at La Ferté

The North American P-51D G-CLNV on the first post restoration flight of which Scramble reported on 25 August 2023 has arrived in its new home country, France on 2 September. The Mustang, built as USAAF 45-11518 (c/n 124-48271), is owned by the French organization W Air Collection, Paris and is now based at Cerny- La Ferté Alais aerodrome.

Before the crossing of the Channel, the fighter made a familiarization flight from Sywell, together with another W Air Collection owned Spitfire, G-SXIV. This Mk.XIV, which is painted in the colours of No.430 (Canadian) squadron RAF, with code G9-X, accompanied the Mustang on its trip from Sywell to La Ferté.

Since its delivery flight the colour scheme of G-CLNV has been completed with very artistic nose art of a lady called ‘Miss AVA’, which will surely be appreciated by the majority of the male spotters.In the weekend of 9 and 10 September the new French Mustang can be admired at the Air Legend Airshow at Melun-Villaroche.

Photo: Nigel Harrison