It's a genuine P-51 ( C model), flown in Bendix races by the great Paul Mantz of movie stunt flying fame, and later purchased by Brig. Gen ( Retired) Charles F.Blair, Jr. in 1950. He had it modified with a 1650 hp RR Merlin engine, long range fuel tank and advanced navigation / comm equipment in preperation for some record setting flights.
In Jan 1951 he took off in Excalibur III from New York and flew non-stop to London - breaking the piston engine powerd record by completing the trans-Atlantic crossing in 7 hr 48 min at an average speed of 446 mph. He used the recently discovered Jet Stream winds above 37,000 ft to boost his speed and stated that the powerfull tailwind " blew me all the way to London".
4 months later he set another record when he piloted the Excalibur 3260 mile non-stop in 10 hrs 27 min across the north pole from Norway to Fairbanks Alaska, dropping a letter from his son to Santa Claus over the North Pole!
The plane is now beautifully restored and hanging in a prime spot from the ceiling of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles Airport - the new addition to the National Air and Space Musuem.
I took the picture during a visit there about 2 years ago. This showplace should be at the top of every aviation fans "Must See" list, everything from the dawn of powered flight, through WW1 / WWII / Vietnam and the cold war, up to the Concorde and Space Shuttle are on display.
If you end up with a long layover ( better have 4 hrs minimum) at Dulles you can take a shuttle to the Museum - fill your camera with shots of some of the most historic planes you will ever see in one place, and then ride back to the terminal to catch your plane. Admission to the center is free but parking is $10 ( i think) if you drive there in a car.
You will not see everything and want to go again and again ( I've been 3 times and there was something new each time). For us engine nuts there is one of the best collection of aircraft engines in the world, Mecanical Art at it's finest. I want to go back!!! I need more shots of Excalibur for my Twist-stang ( as if I needed an excuse!)