[alfa6]

Greetings to all the Freepers out there in cyberland. After an unexpected hiatus we are back for a Friday Flyby tonight. As this is my weekend to work nites, boo hiss, I will need to keep it short and replies may be limited..

While cruising the net last week I came across an aircraft that I had seen before but had not seen any high quality pics. Well Bernard Zee (Bernard Zee) solved that problem for me with a fine series of fotos from Half Moon Bay Airport's Pacific Coast Dream Machines Airshow. The aircraft in question is one called Strega, which is Italian for witch, or so I am told.

Strega ia a highly modified P-51D-20-NT Mustang that ended up in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1944 and after the war in 1966 was recued from a farm in Australia and put on display. In 1980 Dave Zeuschel acquired the aircraft and it was shipped to USA and rebuilt as racer. In 1983 Bill "Tiger" Destefani took over the Mustang and it begans it's career as N71FT Strega. The wing span has been reduced by approximately 5 feet, the fuselage has been streamlined and the Merlin hs been tweaked to produce about 3600 horsepower, almost twice the standard Merlin output!!!. Well on with the pics.

First up the head on pic...

Strega gets airborne in this picture.

Strega makes a pass for the crowd.

For comparison purposes here is a nice inflight shot of a stock P-51D.

And here is Strega in the same profile as the stock P-51. The stramlining on the fuselage shows up well in this photo.

Well I need to close out tonights Flyby and what better way than with this picture of Strega.

Well we hope everybody has a fine weekend. Stay safe out there and I hope to be back tomorrow night with a Saturday Sortie.

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

[Publius]

You are correct, sir. La strega is "the witch".

[alarm rider]

Excellent Fly-By.

The Italians built some fine aircraft before and during WWII.

[ConorMacNessa]

Outstanding FlyBy, Alfa! Thanks very much!

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[AZamericonnie]

Oh alfa...so very good to see you as you were missed!

Glad all is well & know you are probably busy as ever.

Thank you for this evening’s flyby & hope your shift goes well! *hugs*

[BIGLOOK]

Aloha Alfa6!

Geez.....what a difference a paint job makes! Gorgeous!

[luvie]

Awesome shots, Alfa! Thanks for the Friday Flyby...we’ve missed you. Mr. LUV was looking everywhere for new aircraft shots!

Are ya going to get to come to Texas in June? Sure do hope so!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good early morning, alfa...((HUGS))...thanks for the Friday Flyby of the Strega....nice looking plane.

[Professional Engineer]

I see your Witch and raise you a Dago Red and a Shelby.