Watch: Raw Sound of the P-51D Mustang from Inside the Cockpit During Aerobatics
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Experiencing the Mustang Today
The P-51D Mustang, one of the most iconic fighters of the Second World War, remains a powerful symbol of aviation history. In this unique footage, the aircraft “Frances Dell” is shown both from inside the cockpit and from the ground, with high-quality sound capturing the roar of its engine during aerobatic maneuvers. The video offers modern audiences a direct sense of what it was like to sit behind the controls of a Mustang, hearing the machine respond as it once did in combat nearly eighty years ago.
The P-51D was the most produced version of the Mustang, known for its speed, range, and effectiveness as a long-range escort. Today, restored examples like “Frances Dell” give historians, pilots, and enthusiasts the chance to experience aviation heritage in a way that books alone cannot convey.
The Story of “Frances Dell”
The aircraft was first built in 1944 at North American Aviation’s factory in Inglewood, California. Initially stored by the United States Army Air Forces, it was not used until 1950, when it was transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force under the designation 9597. After serving until 1959, the Mustang entered civilian ownership, where it was registered under several identities.
In 1963, it crashed near Indianapolis, and its registration was later revoked due to inactivity. Bill Destefani purchased the damaged airframe in 1981 and began its restoration. Over the years, the Mustang changed hands and identities, flying under names such as “Glamorous Gal.” In 2011, it suffered landing damage but was repaired and renamed “Frances Dell” after its restoration by Midwest Aero.
Painted in the markings of the 84th Fighter Squadron, the Mustang honors the aircraft once flown by Lt. Clark Clemons from Duxford during the war. Fully restored, it returned to the skies in 2014 and later won awards for its authenticity and craftsmanship. Today, under Flying Legends GmbH, “Frances Dell” continues to fly, preserving the living sound and sight of the Mustang for future generations.
Keep going for the video below:
