Warbird Information Exchange

A P-38 is currently being restored at Bemidji. Any clue on its identity ?

I believe it’s the one Jeff Ethell was killed in, being restored for the Dakota Territory Air Museum.

Or they're doing some work for Steuart Walton at this time (owner of the two P-38 restoration projects previously only associated with the FHCAM), who also has an F7F under restoration to fly.

Is that the Merle Maine project that was auctioned off years ago or a different one?

Yes it is. For those not familiar with the airframe: https://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDo ... erial=2527

If I recall correctly, the main basis of the project is at Sanders, with the wings at AirCorps. (Sorry for the thread drift)

Thanks John, that's what I suspected, as there aren't too many F7F projects around. Exciting times!

John can you explain the Walton Collection a bit more as far as any current or future restorations are concerned? I’m a bit baffled as to the direction and future plans that Walton has. Is he restoring new projects such as possibly two P-38’s?, does he have plans to complete the Stuka and 262?. Any others?

I’ve always been extremely interested in this particular collection. Anything you can share would be great!

I'm in the same boat: I've been following that Stuka since I was seven and am more than a little curious about its future!

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Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG".
https://linktr.ee/zacyates

"It's his plane, he spent the money to restore it, he can do with it what he wants. I will never understand what's hard to comprehend about this." - kalamazookid, 20/08/2013
"The more time you spend around warbirds the sooner you learn nothing, is simple." - JohnB, 24/02/22

I'm inclined to believe it is for the 2nd Walton project. Aircorps has previously posted that they are only doing some components for the project, and that they can't disclose the owner at this time. The Texas Flying Legends/Dakota Territory projects to date at Aircorps have been very public and heavily documented.

The 1st Walton P-38 (Jandina III if I remember right) is at Ezell and nearly finished. In a recent video from their shop, you can see parts for a 2nd P-38 (ex-CAF Scatterbrain Kid II) being worked on in the background. Both projects were listed for sale right at the end of the Allen ownership, before being pulled off market when Walton stepped in.

The Goodall directory states that was owned by Texas Flying Legends, and a lot of their stuff went to DTA, so that makes sense to me . Their shop is Aero Corps. So it could be that Pruitt 38. This thread is very confusing also.

Has anyone got any pics of the P-38 that Ethell was flying when he had that accident? Not accident pics, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a picture of it when it was flying.

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Defending Stearmans on WIX since Jeff started badmouthing them back in 2005.

Bruce Eames, a supporter of the Dakota Territory Air Museum and owner of many of the warbirds displayed at the DTAM (and Texas Flying Legends prior to that), has used AirCorps Aviation as his shop of choice for a few projects.

A friend who visited AirCorps last year noted sections of P-38J 42-104088 being worked on in the shop (namely booms, tail & spars). Some parts for the FHCAM/Walton P-38J 42-103988 'Jandina III' were also noted.

With regard to the former Bruce Pruett P-38L 44-26969 that Jeff Ethell was killed in, this photo, by Gerry Markgraf, was taken about a week before the accident. Seen parked next to the Jack Erickson P-38L 'Tangerine', it was completed/painted not long before the accident.

Thanks, John.

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Defending Stearmans on WIX since Jeff started badmouthing them back in 2005.

Thanks all for your interesting and detailed answers.

Thank you John.
Always appreciate the depth of your knowledge and insight.

Andy