“Hel-Eter” : rebirth of a Pacific theater P-51 Mustang

The North American TF-51D 44-72483 in its new livery ar Airmotive Specialties ( Photo Airmotive Specialties Inc )

The Airmotive Specialties Inc. workshop, located in Salinas, California, unveiled this week the first photos of the P-51D Mustang “Hel-eter” in its new colors. This marks an important milestone in the restoration of this aircraft, whose return to airworthy condition has been underway for several years and is expected to lead to a new first flight within the next few weeks.

The aircraft, which has been converted to the two-seat TF-51D configuration, now sports a livery inspired by P-51D 44-72577 on the Pacific theater. Bearing the code 527 painted on the fuselage, it is expected to receive the “Hel-eter” nose art on its engine cowling.

This Mustang, serial number 44-72483, has a rich history: delivered to the USAAF on January 23, 1945, it was assigned to the 354th Fighter Group of the 9th Air Force, where it carried the tactical code AJ-R. After the war, it was transferred to the Flygvapnet, the Swedish Air Force, as Fv 26087, before joining the Fuerza Aérea de Nicaragua (Nicaraguan Air Force), where it flew under the code GN85.

Brought back to the United States in December 1963, it was long mistaken for another aircraft destroyed during the conflict. It was only in 1966, thanks to the efforts of David Forrest, that its true identity was officially re-established with the FAA.

The P-51D 44-72557 Mustang Hel-Eter (Profile © Gaëtan Marie / Bravo Bravo Aviation)

The aircraft then began a new civilian life, changing hands several times before being acquired in November 1975 by Dan Martin, a seasoned pilot and well-known figure at the Reno Air Races. Registered as N151DM, the Mustang was restored and flew for more than three decades under the name “Ridge Runner III” (P-51 Mustang Survivors – P-51D-20NA 44-72843), in tribute to Major Pierce W. McKennon, ace and leader of the 4th Fighter Group. Dan Martin flew the Mustang in many editions of the Reno Air Races.

After 37 years of ownership, Dan Martin sold the aircraft in June 2011 to Pat Harker, based in Minneapolis. Harker launched a complete restoration, entrusted to Airmotive Specialties, with the goal of converting the aircraft to TF-51D standard while restoring an appearance faithful to its original military service.

Today, thanks to the meticulous work of the Salinas team and the passion of its new owner, the Mustang “Hel-eter” is preparing to take to the skies again, nearly 80 years after it was first built.