Final product photos, HA7721B, P-51D Mustang "Paul 1".

Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series, HA7721B, P-51D Mustang "Paul 1", Col. Paul H. Poberezny.

Mr. Paul Poberezny is a man with an astonishing background. Mr. Poberezny spent 30 years in the U.S. Military as a pilot, test pilot and survived WWII and the Korean Conflict. When Lt. Col. Poberezny retired he had the distinction of being the only person to receive all 7 military aviation wings - glider pilot, service pilot, rated pilot, liaison pilot, senior pilot, Army aviator and command pilot. Paul Poberezny was the founder of the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association).

The "Paul I" P-51D was manufactured as 44-75007 but after WWII it became N5462V. In 1963 the aircraft had a Cavalier Aircraft conversion to a 2-seater and became N3451D. In 1966 the aircraft was owned by Trans Florida Aviation Inc., Sarasota FL. In 1969 N3451D became the property of Tempress Research C. Corp. of Sunnyvale CA.  In the early 1970’s the aircraft was used as an air-racer #96 before it finally went to the EAA of Oshkosh, WI in 1977. Here it received a yellow nose and blue scheme like another P-51D “Lou IV”. It was also given the code PH-P and the name “Paul I” and the aircraft flew until August 2, 1982.

It can be seen on display in the Eagle Hangar at the EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh today. Paul Poberezny is believed to be the only living person that flew every version of the P-51 including the XP-51 prototype which can also be seen at the EAA AirVenture Museum.