CAC Mustang – ANAM Warbird Restoration Project

Warbirds Online is proud to be assisting the Australian National Aviation Museum (ANAM) in its effort to secure and restore the oldest surviving CAC built Mustang resident in Australia.

The ANAM had its genesis in the formation of the Australian Aircraft Restoration Group (AARG) in 1962 with a Museum being established in 1965 at Moorabbin airport in Victoria. The Museum continues to this day and has an enviable record in the acquisition and preservation of significant aircraft and artifacts from Australia’s aviation heritage.

The most exciting development at the Museum however is the chance to acquire and restore the oldest surviving CAC built Mustang still in Australia. Mustangs are very desirable aircraft and are much sort after globally commanding high prices as restoration projects.  The ANAM has been very lucky to have been offered a Mustang project (A68-71), currently owned by Derek Macphail for a very attractive price that is much less than the aircrafts market value. Warbirds Online has been following the history of this CAC survivor for a few decades now and it is a great opportunity for ANAM to obtain an aircraft that would normally be beyond the resources of a Not for Profit organization.

CAC Mustang C- 17 A68-71 History

Built by Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) on 03/46 and delivered to RAAF as A68-71 a CA-17 Mk.20 serial number 1396 it was delivered 1 Air Depot ex CAC on 16/04/46 and then issued 78 Sqn on 15/07/46 then later issued 25 Sqn on 27/04/48. The inaugural flight of reformed 25 Squadron was by Wing Commander N. Ford, AFC. on 17/5/48.  The Mustang was damaged in a landing accident on 24/04/49.  A68-71 then became an Instructional Airframe, No 14, on 14/10/49.  Struck off charge on 24/10/52 A68-71 was transferred to Perth Technical College, Midland Aeronautical Annex.  Eventually the airframe remains were donated to the Air Force Association, WA, on 22/3/72. The aircraft was then acquired by Derek. A. Macphail for restoration to fly on 28/6/84. Registered as VH-VID 15/11/02, Derek has had the aircraft under restoration for a protracted period but now he needs to find a new home for his Mustang and the ANAM has stepped in.

Australian National Aviation Museum Collection

Over the past few years there has been a resurgence in the Australian National Aviation Museums activities and this has resulted in the beautiful restoration of CAC Wirraway CA-1 A20-10 the oldest surviving Wirraway and a huge effort to restore the oldest surviving DAP Beaufort A19-13 which is proceeding at pace. ANAM has the most impressive CAC collection in existence including:

•             CA-3 Wirraway A20-10

•             CA-6 Wackett   A3-22

•             CA-12 Boomerang A46-25

•             CA-25 Winjeel A85-418

•             CA-27 Sabre A94-989

•             CA-28 Ceres VH-WOT

•             CA-30 Macchi A7-054

•             CA-31 Mockup

Donations to Restore CAC Mustang C- 17 A68-71

The Australian National Aviation Museum is a registered Not For Profit organization and all donations over $2 are tax deductible for Australian tax payers. Recently it was also decided to raise funds for its restoration through a Crowdfunding exercise.

By clicking on the button below you can donate to this worthy cause via the Pozible Crowdfunding website.

Donate Today!

More detail on the aircraft can be seen at the Australian National Aviation Museum website.

By supporting this excellent Warbird restoration project this fantastic Warbird can remain in Australia and in the Museums hands.

So let’s pitch in and help this great Warbird restoration project on its way.

Flight Characteristics of the North American P-51 Mustang

Yes we know it’s not a video about the CAC Mustang, but it’s a great historic video of the characteristics of the type, so if you’re ever in the pilots seat you’ll know all about its features.

© John Parker 2015