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Constructed as a P-51D.
The original ID of this airframe is a mystery. Last serving operationally with the Israeli Defense Force/Air Force, the aircraft was probably acquired by Israel from surplus Royal Swedish Air Force stocks in 1952. The Swedes acquired nearly all of their 100 P-51s from war-surplus U.S. Army Air Forces stockpiles in Germany at the end of World War II, making this airframe a probable wartime veteran. Unfortunately, when Israel acquired its P-51s, many of them had their original manufacturers data plates removed, thus the connection with the past was lost.
Your Assistance is Needed: If anyone knows the original identification of the airframe which became IDF 28 please share your information by editing this dossier.
 Share Your Information with Everyone by Editting the Documented History |
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Taken on Strength/Charge with the Flygvapnet. |
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Taken on Strength/Charge with the Israeli Defense Force with s/n 28. |
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Editor Note: It is not clear when the wing was separated from the fuselage, but it was likely before or after it was abandoned/stored in Israel. The wing eventually went into the restoration of IDF 28.
For more information about this other airframe see this Airframe Dossier  |
From 1978 to 1990 |
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To British Aerial Museum/Robs Lamplough, Duxford and North Weald. |
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Recovered.
The hulk was retrieved from a kibbutz playground in Saar, Israel. |
From 1978 to 1980 |
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Restoration started.
The work was carried out at RAF Watton using the wing from IDAFA 41. |
From 1987 to 1990 |
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Restoration continued.
Markings Applied: FT L
The work to restore the airframe to flying condition was carried out at North Weald. Finished in USAAF markings. |
From 2010 to 2018 |
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To Museum of Flight, Seattle-Boeing Field, WA. |
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Transported by ship.
Moved to Caldwell, ID. |
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Restoration continued.
The final restoration work was carried out in Caldwell, ID. |
2 April 2010 |
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Placed on display with Museum of Flight, Boeing Field, Seattle, WA.
Unveiled on this date.
 View the Location Dossier |
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Markings Applied: FT L, 463607
This restored aircraft displays the colors and markings of Lieutenant Colonel Glenn T. Eagleston while he was Commanding Officer of the 353rd Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group flying from Rosires-en-Haye, France, in early 1945. This was the same unit of young Lieutenant Kenneth H. Dahlberg, and Eagleston was his commanding officer. Many years later, Ken Dahlberg, an ace in his own right, was the primary benefactor in the creation of the Kenneth H. Dahlberg Military Aviation Research Center here at the Museum. This accurate restoration was completed by the Champion Air Group and the restoration team at Vintage Airframes in Caldwell, Idaho, especially for the Museum of Flight. |
29 June 2012 |
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Photographer: Terry Fletcher
Notes: 2012 photo in Museum of Flight in Seattle |
July 2014 |
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Photographer: Gustavo Bonilla
Notes: s/n 463607 |
July 2014 |
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Photographer: Gustavo Bonilla |
