Bill Lear late 1940's P-38 crash, Twin Falls, Idaho

[L. Thompson]

The Bill Lear, Jr. P-51 crash in Iceland thread got me thinking about an old (early 70's) Sport Flying magazine article on Bill, Sr. crash landing a P-38 at or near the Twin Falls, Idaho airport (I believe a little short of the runway) in 1946-47. It was to be (or had been) a Bendix racer. As I recall he went and bought another one after this one was written off and did race it.

By today's standards I've always felt this one was probably quite intact and rebuildable, as I'm pretty sure he walked away from it.

I have never seen a photo of this wreck. Does anyone have one or a reference? It was probably hauled to the local dump.

Somebody with a copy of P-Screamers or the old Sport Flying issue please refresh clouded memories.

Thanks!

Lowell Thompson

[L. Thompson]

Well maybe it was Bill Lear, Jr. in the P-38.

I just looked at a December 1973 Sport Flying (page 70) to try to figure out what issue had the article. This page listed back issues and the Volume 6 Number 4 (probably about June or July 1972 issue) had the title on the upper cover and looks like it says: "Bill Lear, Jr. and his P-38's"

[paulmcmillan]

It was "The Martha J" but I can;t find a registration for it. It was Raced in the Bendix National Air Race in 1946 at Cleveland

http://www.billlear.com/lear_gene.htm

[kennsmithf2g]

Per "P-Screamers" by Kevin Grantham

Bill Lear JR
N66613 P38L-5-LO SN422-8281 AAF SN 44-53026 converyed to F-5G-6-LO

Race #71

14th Place 1946 Bendix

aircraraft went to an aviation technical school in Pocatello, Idaho.

Kenn

[ehokuf]

You should get yourself a copy of "Fly Fast...Sin Boldly" Bill Lear Jr's autobiography. The first half of the book talks about his P-38's and racing days. Ther are several pics of the wreck in his book. (not sure I can post these)

[L. Thompson]

I E-mailed Bill and he recommended the same about his book.

He said it was July 20, 1947. He doesn't know what happened to the airplane. He had it stripped for spares and just left it. Bill said he heard that it was given to the Boy Scouts.

[yakdriver]

Talked to a friend last night that was there and saw it happen. He said Bill was doing aerobatics then abruptly broke off and left the area for a few minutes. He had some kind of a problem and had to do a gear up. My friend went back the next day and he ended up with the control wheel. He had it a couple of years and put it in a 37 Chevy. Car was sold a couple of years later with the P-38 control wheel still in it. Also talked to the FBO's son and he said the airplane was just scrapped. He remembered a couple of pieces in the hanger but those disappeared over the years. Don

[LuftwaffeNick]

I'll see what I can dig up if you want to e-mail me later with more info.
Hello Yakdriver Don.

nicholas