North American P-51 Mustang (N51MX)

Nice pic Sam!

Thanks Dave

Sam, "5" stars on this Mustang capture... and do you know the back story on the tall rudder/vertical stabilizer?

Cliff, not sure history, it's based at stallion51 in Florida, but spends a few months a year in Dunkirk ny, if I see the pilot Lou horschel at Oshkosh I'll ask him, or I'll talk to him on FB. Nose art is Mad Max.
Here is history of the

http://www.mustangsmustangs.com/p-51/survivors/serial/45-11559a

There is a restored P-51C in same tail markings

Thanks, Sam... I do appreciate that. Your link provided the answer... this one was a Cavalier conversion. That process added a "14-inch (360 mm) taller vertical stabilizer", per Wiki.

The FAA registry says this is a "D" model, but doesn't mention the Cavalier Mustang conversion where it was essentially re-manufactured.

Yes, this is a post war Cavalier conversion of a D model Mustang, but it's still a D model, that hasn't changed.
Look at the H model Mustang, there was a photo posted here recently.
The H model is an all new Mustang, it has the taller tail, revised fuselage and gear. It looks mostly like a standard D model, but it's pretty much different parts that are not interchangeable with any of the earlier models.

Since it's a 2 seat it would be a TF-51D

Having a second seat doesn't automatically make any Mustang a TF-51. Many Mustangs in civilian life were modified with a second seat, but they didn't have any controls in the back. I believe the Cavalier conversion did install a second seat in most if not all their planes.
I would have to do the research to see if this exact plane is indeed an actual TF-51 with full controls in the back.

I forgot to add earlier, nice set of photos Sam.

Yea I assumed it was a TF because of
The time it spends at stallion51, the mustang training facility, runs about $1500/30 mins to rent.