WHAT IT'S LIKE to fly THE MIGHTY P-51 MUSTANG!

Join me as we fly the Mighty P51 Mustang and show off this amazing airplane!

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David Cutter - Place

[SKIPWOOD-UACAPT]

I started flying in 1974, the last year I was active duty with the Navy. I earned my private pilots license off a dirt field in Virginia (which is no longer there) before driving to Colorado to spend a year with the most intensive aviation training imaginable under the GI Bill when it actually was worth something. Fast forward 4 years, after receiving my 2nd college degree, a slew of certificates and finding work in Colorado. My boss, Max Hoffman owned a flying school (Falcon Air) among other ventures, as well as being the owner of a couple of Beech craft, a couple of T-34's and a P-51D named BOOMER. On 6-13-1978 Max asked if I wanted a ride in Boomer. The smile on my face was ear to ear. You bet! I sat in the back where a 50 gallon fuel tank would normally sit. It was tight, but at that time I was a skinny kid. I would make me fit.... The rumble of that engine is indescribable... it's not only the sound but the vibration and smells of this magnificent bird... we taxied out and would take off to the north. We Max poured the coals to the Merlin, the tail came up, eased off the ground, stayed in ground effect, sucked the gear up and by the end of the runway we were over 200 mph, back in the day when airspeed indicators were indicated that way. Then Max popped the nose up and rolled inverted and we climbed out inverted. Max flew eat over the plains and did strafing runs and other max performance maneuvers, such as diving down to the ground, leveling off after gaining airspeed to 400 mph before sucking the yoke back, telling me to look at the lake we had just flown over. We went vertical and that lake became very small. We leveled out just below 18, 000'. Max did the obligatory rolls and loops and then did a 4 point roll. I doubt I will ever forget that ride. Max was a bit of a hot dog and the old saying that there are old pilots and bold pilots, but no old bold pilots. Max was killed in an aircraft accident 12-27-1986 in Gilcrest, CO. DEN87FA035. I went on in aviation obtaining another college degree, 8 type ratings and finally retired from United Airlines in 2014. It's been a great career ride... but that ride was the one I will never forget.

[gheumann]

THANK YOU! 67 years old, and that's the closest I'll ever come to a ride in a P-51 - an airplane I've loved as long as I can remember. This was just absolutely wonderful. THANKS FOR THE RIDE!

[toddwood]

I flew in the Commemorative (Confederate) Air Force’s Mustang a few years ago. I was online planning to ride in the B-29 and saw the sign-up for the P-51. It was $2, 000! I thought about my father, who had been a Marine in WWII, describing the sight and sound of the Mustang’s arrival in the South Pacific. I had to spend the two grand. The pilot asked me what I was looking for in the half-hour ride. I told him to treat me like a student pilot and show and explain everything that the plane does. Among many other things, he spotted a Piper on TCAS and did an “attack” run on it. He flew right up its rear and pulled up at the last second. We passed them about 150 feet above going about 300 knots. At the end he did a high-speed fly by of the field for my family and others. Money well spent.

[HenryGill-bkmn]

My late Dad got called back to active duty and flew P-51 Mustangs for CAS missions during the early dark and desperate days of the Korean War. He loved his 'Stang and always described it as 'the Cadillac of the skies.' But they were ill-suited for the CAS missions and losses were high. He was extremely lucky to survive tour as they roamed up and down the Korean peninsula. His Mustang was never as clean and beautiful as those in this video. The sights and sounds brought back a lot of memories of my Dad. Thank you.

[JeffLevine-obno]

Damn boys, I actually feel like a real pilot finally. I flew my dad's P51 into Oshkosh, and I did not embarrass myself by doing a ground loop. There's nothing in this world that feels better when you're sitting in the cockpit and everybody's standing around you and you get to yell clear

[francis]

The P51 has to be one of the most iconic aircraft today. You just don't know about its quirks until you ride in one. To the men that flew them in war, my hat is off to you. The level of concentration needed to stay alive in a dogfight is staggering. To Scooter, you know your stuff.

[davalf]

Scooter is very entertaining to watch and listen to. If he doesn’t already he needs his own channel!!

[johnhickman]

The pilot’s commentary is perfect. It’s instructional and he enjoys talking about it. Who wouldn’t enjoy flying a P-51?

[audios]

My dad's best friend was stationed near him in the S. Pacific. He flew B-25's in combat. When they both got out, Don Seiler (pilot) purchased a surplus P-51 mustang and a P-38. He rebuilt the Mustang and took me up (at age 12) out of Berk lake front airport in CLE. I will never forget that experience as long as I live. great vid Stevo.

[richbonneau]

Scooter is the best Mustang display pilot on the planet today.

[stufirewalker]

unbelievable talent and utmost respect to the guys who flew these in combat

[urunjls]

This guy is one of the most professional pilots that I have ever encountered. Love the enthusiasm for flying and the updates on actions. That stall recovery was soooo smooth!

[ollyalme]

Such a gorgeous aircraft. And that Merlin V12 sound is imo the absolute best engine sound. Raw and cultivated at the same time.

[me]

2 of my fav war birds, P51D and the Corsair F4U

[ColinJ]

This pilot is fantastic with his sharing of knowledge.

[SuperDave]

My Father, Lt. Col. Louis O. Thomas from Oklahoma flew the P51D in the European Theater . Stationed in Wattisham, EN flying many missions while there. He said they'd take out the rear seat area and put in extra fuel tanks for long range missions. So many memories seeing this video! Thanks for sharing !!

[howardbales]

I'd love to fly with this guy, he completely knows his ride.

[jaredconstructionco]

This is great, Thank you !!! My Dad was a P-51 Mustang Pilot in WW2 . He was well decorated with a Silver and Bronze Star. His plane was called "? " Bad Penney" ! So proud of his service ! Your Plane is beautiful What a thrill !!!! Thanks you lucky guy !

[barrydraper]

Very cool old plane, that P-51 Mustang! It played such a big roll in our WWII victory. Also love the F-22 Raptor at the end of the video. That's my favorite modern day fighter.

[francisflood]

Boy... that SCOOTER knows his business!