This specific P-51 was built in 1945 and served in the Texas Air Guard. It was later sold to the Indonesian Air Force. “VAL-HALLA” later returned to the U.S. where it underwent restoration. It was then further restored in 1995. “VAL-HALLA” was donated to the Heritage Flight Museum in 1996 by Bill and Valeria Anders.

It’s paint scheme reflects the colors of the 57th FIS, the Black Knights. The Black Knights were based in Keflavik Iceland with the primary mission of Air Defense during the Cold War; this is the squadron Bill Anders flew F-89′s with back in 1958. It i s named ‘Val-Halla’ for two reasons. The first is to honor Bill’s wife and museum co-founder Valerie. The second reason is a nod to the memories Bill made when he spent a year in Iceland and the year as Ambassador to Norway.

Today, “Val-Halla” is a regular on the air show circuit. It is flown by Lt. Col. Greg Anders.

Learn More: https://heritageflight.org/aircraft/p-51-mustang/