Review: Bremont P-51 Mustang

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aikiman44
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Review: Bremont P-51 Mustang

Post by aikiman44 » Tue Feb 04, 2014 7:30 am

The Bremont P-51 Mustang. I've been procrastinating posting the info I've gathered, but with Mr. Wu's recent acquisition, I figured it would be enjoyable for those who have an appreciation for the history. I'll let Mr. Wu provide more technical info.

Before proceeding, I suggest viewing this clip from the movie "Empire Of The Sun"
Yes, that's pre-Bruce Wayne Christian Bale

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ouJ_WyS9v8

The Bremont P-51 Mustang uses metal from the original 'skin' of the WWII plane 'Fragile But Agile'. The sub-dial as well as the rotor are made from this aluminum. There was enough metal for 251 watches.

Mr. English with the tail:

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The P-51 Mustang was used for tactical reconnaissance and as a long range fighter bomber in the European and Pacific theaters during WWII, as well as the Korean War and other conflicts.
Fragile But Agile, piloted by Bert Lee, saw action in the Pacific during WWII. He is credited with two kills. Note the two 'Rising Suns'. (see below for more details).

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The package:
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Capt. Chuck Yeager's P-51, Winter 1944:

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The watch was designed with the P-51's instrument panel in mind.

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The chrono hand is similar to the tail markings.

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The movement:

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The inspiration:

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History of Fragile But Agile from The Prodigal Guide:

FBA was rebuilt by Planes of Fame by the Hintons over the past few years, and has been flying as part of the Horsemen. It’s a well-decorated ‘plane, having flown in WW2 and the Bremont watch is made with original parts from this 1944 Mustang aircraft (P-51K-10 – serial number 44- 12016).
“FBA rolled off the North American Aviation assembly line in Dallas, Texas, on 18 December 1944 and was then loaded on a ship on the 15th January 1945 for an assignment in the Far East. It was to take part in the American campaign to retake the Philippine Islands from the Japanese. On arrival in the Pacific Theatre of Operations, the aircraft was assigned to the 342nd Fighter Squadron of the 348th Fighter Group, which then was stationed at the San Marcelino airbase, just north of Manila Bay. Lt. Bert Lee Jr. was assigned to fly the aircraft. Lt. Lee was credited with two confirmed victories during the war, which accounts for the two Japanese flags painted below his name on the plane – one was a Japanese A6M “Zero” fighter near Manila and the other a twin-engine “Betty” bomber.
“A lot of his missions in the P51 were ground support, in what was then Indochina. Lee and his Mustang both survived the war. Following its time in the US Air Force, FBA then spent time serving with both the Swedish and Israeli military before being overhauled and operated for many years by The Fighter Collection, based at Duxford in the UK. Recently, the Mustang was again treated to a major overhaul by Steve Hinton‟s Fighter Rebuilders at Chino, California having been acquired by the Friedkin Family‟s Comanche Fighter Collection.”


Most of the following sites have fantastic photos. This is from the site: 'P-51 Mustangs' regarding Fragile But Agile and its change of serial numbers upon its shipment from Sweden to Israel.
http://www.mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/p5 ... 2016.shtml

This is from a really cool site: 'Warbirds' regarding Fragile But Agile:
http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.o ... p?p=378407

From Warbirds, this provides info on Fragile But Agile from original pilot Bert Lee's son:
http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.o ... 3&start=60

"Will do Dave, thanks for the reply
I have some photos of him with the P-47, and the P-51.
And of course I grew up listening to all the stories of his time in the Pacific.
He actually had three kills, the third being a B-24/25/26 (I can't remember which) Landing gear was stuck up with a full bomb load, crew bailed out and and my Dad was ordered to shoot it down.
So there should be an American Flag under the two meatballs!
- one of his favorite stories."


Mustang Battles in WWII:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C7lFUG8 ... r_embedded

This provides great info on the the Mustangs:
http://www.chuckhawks.com/mustang_P-51.htm

The Israeli Mustangs were provided by the US, Italy, and Canada. Their story in the '56 Sinai/Suez Campaign is fascinating:
http://www.mustang.gaetanmarie.com/arti ... israel.htm

On the first day of operation - October 29th - another task was given to the Mustangs: disruption of enemy communications. The Mustangs were equipped with a weight attached to a cable, which was to be hung from the aircraft's tail. This device was supposed to cut the enemy's telephone line cables. Four Mustangs were equipped as "cable-cutters" and took off around noon, but upon arrival at the target, some of them had lost their equipment. Instead of aborting their mission, the pilots decided to pursue and cut the cable with their propellers and wings. This was particularly dangerous but the mission was a success.
The more conventional task assigned to the Mustang was delayed by a few days as the IAF High Command refused to allow piston-engined aircraft to enter the combat zone before air superiority was achieved. Only on October 31st did the Mustangs enter the fighting. They were mostly used on strike missions against enemy forces, outposts, fortified points, roads, shipping and other targets. The Mustangs flew 184 missions during the Suez crisis campaign, losing only 7 aircraft


Israeli Mustang vs. Egyptian Spitfire:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NxnBIP3gXM

P-51 soaring on an Israeli beach:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeTopTvM ... ure=relmfu

Dust, sun heat and Spitfires:
http://www.spitfirepilots.com/israel.html

The Mustangs from Sweden;
http://www.thescale.info/news/publish/I ... angs.shtml

Sights, sounds and history of the Mustang:
http://www.mustangsmustangs.com/p-51/p51.php

Thanks to the forums from which I found many of these photos, including ATG Vintage.

And thanks to Todd for the hook up with the P-51!
Last edited by aikiman44 on Tue Feb 04, 2014 8:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"We'd better synchronize our watches."

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rockmastermike
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Re: Review: Bremont P-51 Mustang

Post by rockmastermike » Tue Feb 04, 2014 8:07 am

Fantastic info, Jay - I knew some but not nearly enough of this historical and epic watch

johnh1265
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Re: Review: Bremont P-51 Mustang

Post by johnh1265 » Tue Feb 04, 2014 8:32 am

Excellent Jay,I am enjoying mine!!

John

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unixshrk
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Re: Review: Bremont P-51 Mustang

Post by unixshrk » Tue Feb 04, 2014 8:34 am

Great Review. I am very fond of that one

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aikiman44
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Re: Review: Bremont P-51 Mustang

Post by aikiman44 » Tue Feb 04, 2014 8:35 am

Thanks guys. This is an old post I resurrected for the Bremont forum.
"We'd better synchronize our watches."

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Re: Review: Bremont P-51 Mustang

Post by harlansmart » Tue Feb 04, 2014 12:49 pm

Ditto - fantastic read & exactly why the P51 is such a cool bit of wrist kit - looks just as cool in New Zealand as well, where there are 2 P51 Bremonts amongst just 4,500,000 peoples :clap:
aboen wrote:Great post!
Love the P51
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kempoman
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Re: Review: Bremont P-51 Mustang

Post by kempoman » Tue Feb 04, 2014 5:12 pm

Love the review. Well done.
Watch collector since 1989

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Re: Review: Bremont P-51 Mustang

Post by moishlashen » Tue Feb 04, 2014 5:19 pm

Good stuff-love it.


P51 represented an achievement between American manufacturing might and British ingenuity on a tight timeline.
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Pasquale
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Re: Review: Bremont P-51 Mustang

Post by Pasquale » Tue Feb 04, 2014 5:22 pm

That caseback is ridiculous.
As in awesome
Pasquale

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jimyritz
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Re: Review: Bremont P-51 Mustang

Post by jimyritz » Tue Feb 04, 2014 6:19 pm

Great stuff Jay, thanks for sharing... That is the one I would like to own someday :think:

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Re: Review: Bremont P-51 Mustang

Post by AntonioPD » Tue Feb 04, 2014 6:37 pm

Excellent Jay - thanks. I love Bremont and one reason is that they do things like this !

PS The spelling is a Chuck "Yeager"
Resistance is the indicator of progress.
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aikiman44
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Re: Review: Bremont P-51 Mustang

Post by aikiman44 » Wed Feb 05, 2014 7:45 pm

Corrected. Thanks.
"We'd better synchronize our watches."

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Re: Review: Bremont P-51 Mustang

Post by BBK357 » Wed Feb 05, 2014 8:08 pm

I have liked some of Bremon'ts watches, not knowledgable about the models but think some are cool- this is the best looking Bremont I have seen. I love the design, the dial and hands are a perfect match. Congrats on this piece, it is truly amazing.
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koda240
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Re: Review: Bremont P-51 Mustang

Post by koda240 » Wed Feb 05, 2014 8:22 pm

Fantastic review. The P51 is at the top of my list for watches i want.

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Re: Review: Bremont P-51 Mustang

Post by dukerules » Thu Feb 06, 2014 3:21 am

Great review.

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toxicavenger
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Re: Review: Bremont P-51 Mustang

Post by toxicavenger » Thu Feb 06, 2014 5:28 am

I like the fact that they have carved out their own niche in the watch market without stealing older watches designs or call everything military or seal designed.

Thanks for the info Jay, that is really cool what they did with it!!!

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Re: Review: Bremont P-51 Mustang

Post by GGD » Thu Feb 06, 2014 5:37 am

That's really cool info Jay! Thanks heaps for posting..... awesome watch :thumbsup:

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