Hell-er Bust is a P-51D Mustang built in 1945. Today, Hell-er Bust is owned by Mark Peterson and based in Boise, Idaho. She is available for static and flying displays at airshows and fly-ins.

History

Hell-er Bust was built at the North American plant in Inglewood, California and delivered to the United States Army Air Force, 8th Air Force in January 1945.  Hell-er Bust later served with the Swedish Air Force as Fv26131 from 1948 to 1952, ending its career as FAD1920 with the Dominican Republic Air Force from 1952 to 1984.

Brian O'Farrell, Johnson Aviation, of Hialeah, FL returned Hell-er Bust to the United States May 18, 1984.  In 1987, Selby Burch, Kissimmee, FL acquired Hell-er Bust.

Hell-er Bust was restored to flying condition with the markings of the 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (The Black Lightning's) by Stallion 51 Maintenance.  Hell-er Bust won the Grand Champion World War II Warbird at the 1997 Sun-N-Fun event.

In 1999, Hell-er Bust was purchased by Bob Jepson, Lady Alice Corporation. Mr. Jepson flew the plane as Lady Alice until 2000 when she was repainted as Hell-er Bust/PZ-H as flown by 1st Lieutenant Edwin Heller, 486th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group.

P-51 Specifications - Hell-er Bust

Wing Span: 37 feet
Wing Area: 233 sq ft
Length: 32 feet, 3 inches
Height: 13 feet, 8 inches
Weight-Empty: 7200 lbs
Weight-Maximum: 12,100 lbs

Structural Limits
Positive: +8.0 G
Negative: -4.0 G
(10 sec neg G limit)

Engine: Packard Merlin V-1650-7
Roush pistons
Merlin fingers
Cermachrome liners
Dual spin on Champion oil filters

Takeoff power:
1490 hp at 61" MP
1300 hp at 55" MP
War emergency: 1720 hp

Wing loading (lb/sf)
Typical: 36.9
Maximum: 51.9

Power loading-Typical Weight (lb/hp)
Takeoff: 5.77

Performance
Maximum Speed: 437 mph
Ceiling: 41,900 ft.
Climb to 20,000 ft.: 7.3 minutes
Range: 650 nm w 30 min