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The North American P-51 Mustang
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P-51 Who?   Case # 199
44-74494     N72FT     Closed
Solved by: Bill Eaton, Mark Moodie, William Yoak, Jim Pera, Brad Haskin
P-51 Who 199
Case#: 199
Date: Aug 15 2002
By: Warbird Aero Press
Photo: by Emil Strasser
Status: Closed
Serial: 44-74494
Registry: N72FT
P-51 Who? Viewer Responses
Bill Eaton
08/25/2002 21:59
This is Bill "Tiger" Destefani's "Mangia Pane" racer circa-1980. BTW--Photo appears to be Reno, east end of the main runway 8-26, late afternoon. 44-74494:

RCAF 1950-60 - N6313T, James Defuria, 1960 - N6356T, (numerous owners*), 1961-79 - N72FT, Bill Destefani, 1979-87, Race 72 "Mangia Pane" - N72FT, Vintage Aircraft Inc, Mountain View CA, 1987- (flies as "411661/Iron Ass") [Hugh Bickle]
*Benjamin Peck, Charles Masefield, Ed Jurist, Wally McDonnell, Bill Destefani
Mark Moodie
08/29/2002 14:49
Bill Destefani's N6356T ? Mangia Pane, Later became N72FT. Picture taken shortly after Reno 1980.
William Yoak
08/31/2002 10:59
This is the former Mangia Pane when owned by Bill Destefani and raced by Ron Hevle in 1980 and 1981 at Reno. Destefani raced it himself in '82 after Hevle moved up into Dago Red. The aircraft has been owned by Hugh Bickle for the last several years and is based in Hollister, CA. It has a different WWII paint scheme and is called :"Iron Ass".
Jim Pera
09/02/2002 11:19
This is Bill Destefani's "Mangia Pane" before it was painted.
Brad Haskin
09/02/2002 14:03
The subject is N72FT, "Mangia Pane" at the Reno Air Races in 1980 (rookie year). Owned by Bill "Tiger" Destefani and flown by Ron Hevle, this is what she looked like prior to the more common silver, yellow, and black livery she had for the next several years.

This plane also raced in the Kings Cup race in 1967 in England, before coming across "the pond". Currently owned and flown by Hugh Bikle as "Iron Ass".
Libby Jurist Fagen
03/28/2010 09:09
I am the daughter of Ed Jurist. There are a number of planes we're trying to find-they were alleged to have burnt in a fire but my father did believe they were, there was no evidence of a plane ever having been in the locker that did burn, etc. I have the N numbers, and list of transactions proving that my father did own these warbirds. Anyone with any knowledge should write to me at the email listed above. Thanks, Libby
Elmer Kliewer
12/29/2010 13:16
In '85, I was fortunate enough to be given a ride in Mangia Pane when Bill Destefani needed to move it from his Shafter hangar to his Bakersfield hangar. Talk about being in the right place at the right time! He even put it through a little aerobatic routine for me. What a ride!
Dale Moody
02/07/2012 11:37
I have a much better photo than the one shown for previous iteration of Big Beautiful Doll as camo-painted Reg. #6165U, BuNo. 44-63634/44-84634a which I took at Menomonee Falls, WI in 1979. Let me know if you want it and I send it s long as I get photo credit.......Dale
Cindy sorley
09/11/2023 14:43
I had the amazing opportunity to get an incredible ride in this plane with Bill at Madeira 1982. I was in the right place at the right time for sure. My hubby and I were recently married and flew our Piper Cub L4J from Irvine (the old el Toro base) where Jim was a pilot. It was amazing. It was a bit tough getting in the cub to fly home. Lol.
Steve Guichard
02/14/2024 10:47
Flew with Ron Hevle in Mangia Pane…early 80’s, after installing new avionics and breaking in the race engine. Inverted with the canopy rolled back was an experience…. Miss those times!
Case Closed!
P-51 Mustang

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