North American P-51D Mustang, N5483V / 122-39977, Whittington Brothers Inc.
This picture is © Juha Ritaranta and may not be used or published without permission.
Registration: N5483V
Construction Number: 122-39977
Code Number: Race #09
Model North American P-51D Mustang
Operator: Whittington Brothers Inc.
Airport: Reno - Stead Field (4SD / K4SD), USA - Nevada
Photographer: Juha Ritaranta
Date Taken: 09/1988
Date Submitted: 16/05/2008
Fitted with RR Griffon engine and contra-rotating propellers. From a correspondent - This is a different airframe from the original N5483V, although the tail unit of that Mustang (at the time in storage and not airworthy) was incorporated into it when World Jet Inc built it in 1988, with a new c/n 44-88. The rest was built around an unidentified P-51D fuselage obtained from Tallmantz Aviation that was used as a film prop at Hollywood, and other parts. It was re-registered as N6WJ in 1989. N5483V (the P-51D) was written off on 24 January 1990, incidentally. Wikipedia also has a condensed version of the story. I believe the correct title of 'Precious Metal' is "World Jets P-51XR".
Picture ID:1109541