Maralinga tests

[Keith Webb]

Yes, there were 6, and the best of them was the pattern aircraft, A68-1001.
They were put up for tender in the late 60s, towed back to the Emu Claypan all weather airstrip and all of them actually had their engines run, but A68-1001 was the only one to be ferried out by air, with the undercarriage locked down. It was an unauthorised flight and DCA prosecuted, but a sympathetic judge fined the pilot $40.00.
At that time the P51s could not be legally flown in private hands in Australia, and 5 of them were exported to the USA. A68-1001 was kept here for a time in the hope the ban on flying would be revoked, but was eventually sold to the US where it is still airworthy.

Interestingly, when the Mustangs were flown into Emu Claypan they had been in storage at Tocumwal for a number of years and were only given the most basic maintenance before flight.
One executed a flapless landing and ran off the runway, and another lost aileron control and made a ropey but safe landing.

In addition to the aircraft there were vehicles and the Navy even supplied the superstructure of a ship!