[ARC5] P-51C Restoration

[boatanchor at martasystems.com]

Yes -

The aircraft in the article, “Lopes Hope 3rd” does indeed have an operational SCR-274N set, and an operational radio compass MN-26C. I am the person who restored and provided the radio sets to the aircraft restoration shop, Aircorps Aviation.

Lopes Hope 3rd won Grand Champion at Oshkosh in 2018. Our previous entrant in 2015, the P-51D “Sierra Sue 2” won Reserve Grand Champion and was outfitted for European theatre with operational SCR-522 equipment.

The Lopes Hope 3rd radio set operates in the 40m band, and was demonstrated to the Oshkosh Judging staff at the event by Aircorps staff and local amateur radio operators to prove it was operational and correct for the aircraft.

Currently, I’m working on a P-47 Razorback, a C-47, a PBY-5A and the first Air Force One, a Lockheed Constellation. I’m still looking for a few components for each – I’d be happy to provide a list of “wants” to anyone who might want to contribute to preserving an important part of history.

Thanks !
John Castorina WB6AZP
Santa Paula, CA
john at warbirdradios.com





From: D C _Mac_ Macdonald 
Sent: Friday, November 23, 2018 02:11
To: ARC-5 Mail List ; boatanchors at mailman.qth.net 
Subject: [ARC5] P-51C Restoration

While waiting at the barber shop yesterday, I picked up the May 2018 edition of "Sport Aviation" and found a lengthy article about the restoration to flying status of P-51C-5-NT , S/N 42-103585.  This aircraft served in the China-Burma-India (CBI) theater and was credited with five air-to-air kills.  This aircraft was flown at that time by 1st Lt Donald Lopez, and was named Lope's Hope 3rd.  The restoration has been done in the colors of the Flying Tigers American Volunteer Group and named after Donald Lopez's aircraft from that time in honor apparently mainly due to Lopez's intense involvement of the restoration.


Lopez finished his aviation career as the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum deputy director and historical architect from 1972 until his death in 2008. 


The interesting part of this story is the fact that a single transmitter & receiver SCR-274-N pair has been shown installed in the bird.  There was no indication, however that the installation is operational.


The aircraft is now part of the Texas Flying Legends inventory.


Some of Lt Lopez's history can be found in his book "Into the Teeth of the Tiger".




73 de Mac, K2GKK/5​
(Since 30 Nov '53)​
Oklahoma City, OK​
USAF Retired 61-81​
FAA Retired 94-10​






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