P-51 Who? is back!

Possible N327DB, 44-84860 during re-building.

I think it's likely that this picture was taken at Van Nuys airport in early autumn of 1968. My guess (I stress "guess") is that the airplane in question is 44-74423; then registered as N182X, later as N64CL. If the photo was taken a few months later, the airplane could be 44-74536. Is it cheating to make two stabs at it in one message?

I have looked at some old photos of both N182X and N991R from both pre and post 1968. None of those a/c had the antenna installed as in this photo. Same with the propellor. It doesn't fit in with the two Roger suggests. I have however no better idea as to which one it is! T J Johansen

Note to "TJ" I was a bit surprised to have my guess on this airplane critqued....so in response, may I say that I considered the props and antennas quite carefully before submitting my guess. Since antennas and props are/were frequently changed, I elected to suggest those two airplanes since i personally know that they were refinished in the era of the subject photo (time period of the photo pretty well nailed down by the presence of John Lear's A-26 in the background). I knew it was unlikely, but put them out for a guess anyway. Now, if I may hazard another guess....the only other 51 that I can think of that fits the where and when criteria of the "Who" photo would be 44-72936 registered N7711C. I know it was repainted in that era and could have "lived" at VNY...altho I thought it belonged to someone up at SBA. I most often would see it at SNA, however. Somewhere, I have photos of it that I took at SNA. If that's not it, I give up.

I agree with Roger Baker I think it might be Serial #: 44-72936 Registry: N7711C Owner: Marvin Croutch Base: Encino CA Status: Restoration it is on this website with pics that show the same sort of antenna as this pic does. http://www.mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/survivors/pages/44-72936.shtml

Looking on a B-26 site for serial numbers there is the same photo and it states "John Lear's 26 shielded by Arthur J. Stasney's P51 at Van Nuys in about '64-66

If the information in the last 3 posts are correct, then without a doubt it is Arthur J. Stasney's N7711C, 44-72936

Rare Documentation from P-51D Mustang N7711C (44-72936) – Original Owner Arthur J. Stasney
I cared for Arthur J. Stasney for the last six years of his life, and upon his passing, I inherited his personal archive—including detailed documents tied to his P-51D Mustang, civil registration N7711C (serial 44-72936), which he owned from 1963–1966.
Arthur was an incredible man: JBL audio engineer, aviation enthusiast, and incredibly meticulous. He documented everything related to N7711C—receipts, notes, modifications, and even a hand-drawn illustration of the aircraft—all preserved in binders exactly as he left them.
Just wanted to share that these items exist for the warbird community. Arthur was one-of-a-kind, and I’m grateful I got to know him and preserve his story.
Happy to connect with anyone interested in more details (photos of docs, etc.)