Tom Blair P-38 Putt Putt Maru

Wed Apr 04, 2007 9:56 am

Last week while visiting the Stallion 51 operation, I was able to see the restoration of Tom Blair's P-38 formerly Putt Putt Maru with Lone Star museum. The work being completed by the Twin Lauder brothers maint. operation is impressive. It is being returned to a "stock" configuration and will sport a new color scheme when complete. Sorry for not having any pictures, but I had a camera malfunction during my visit.... more like dead battery. I look forward to seeing this and his many other Impressive aircraft when he opens his museum facility at Kissimmee airport.

I was told that he currently owns the following IMPRESSIVE aircraft collection.

4 Flying Spitfires of various marks
P-40K Flying
Mustang P-51D flying
Tiger moth Flying
Hurricane
ME-109 ( spanish version )
2 Flug Werk FW190s
Bearcat in restoration
P-38 in restoration
Chipmonk flying

Also was able to see Blairs Global Express complete with Spitfire painted on the bottom. Found this photo of it in the following link. WHAT A WAY TO TRAVEL.

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1119987/M/

I was also able to see his Car collection at the Stallion facility... MIGHTY IMPRESSIVE !

I will be returning SOON and will get post photos.

Wed Apr 04, 2007 1:44 pm

Well working hard, coming up with a good idea. Selling the company out for (supposedly) $40mil PLUS would give you the cash to play with planes. Think what Bill Gates could do if he really wanted.

I mean there are enough superrich out there to buy up all the warbirds at some inflated prices and still not feel the "burn".

Mark H

Wed Apr 04, 2007 2:08 pm

Though he did sell one Blair still owns a number of healthcare service companies.

So, you can take comfort in the fact that for every outrageous hospital bill you get, a tiny fraction is going to pay for those birds.

Wed Apr 04, 2007 5:07 pm

Oh please keep us posted with some pics of the P-38! I miss not seeing her at LSFM!

Last edited by Elroy13 on Wed Apr 04, 2007 5:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Wed Apr 04, 2007 5:32 pm

Why didnt you stop by to say "Hi"?

Wed Apr 04, 2007 6:31 pm

Any idea when Mr Blair intends to open the museum?

Wed Apr 04, 2007 7:19 pm

Pat Carry wrote:Any idea when Mr Blair intends to open the museum?

At KISM, as said here...

I look forward to seeing this and his many other Impressive aircraft when he opens his museum facility at Kissimmee airport.

Wed Apr 04, 2007 7:38 pm

I believe he asked when

Wed Apr 04, 2007 9:05 pm

What Bearcat does he have? Was it a flyer before or this a new resto?

Wed Apr 04, 2007 9:35 pm

Al Moore wrote:I believe he asked when

Oops, goes to show ya, don't go to school in Indianerr.

Thu Apr 05, 2007 12:39 am

steve dickey wrote:What Bearcat does he have? Was it a flyer before or this a new resto?

Yes, and yes.

A re-restoration of a crashed flyer (Elmer Ward's 'Gulfhawk') I believe.

Thu Apr 05, 2007 6:03 am

Howdy Hunter1

Did you by chance obtain a completion date from the guys, on Tom's Blair's P-38L

Get Em Flying

Lightning