Red Bull P-38 Restoration Update

[Lightning]

Howdy all

Latest August update on RedBull P-38L

http://www.ezellaviation.com/Past%20Pag ... stems.html


Lightning

[Mike]

Looking good!

Nice to see that the early-pattern scoops are being retained.

[jaybird]

I sure wish I could turn on the Discovery channel and watch "American Warbird" instead of "American Chopper" ! If only a production crew was there filming......

The website updates are fantastic. Thanks!

[retroaviation]

[quote="jaybird"]I sure wish I could turn on the Discovery channel and watch "American Warbird" instead of "American Chopper" ! quote]

We actually talked to them about that very idea when we were doing all of that airframe work with FIFI. However, the networks live on deadlines, and Lord knows I couldn't keep one of them if my life depended on it. Heck, I even told them I'd throw a chair across the hangar every now and then for "entertainment purposes" but they passed.

Gary Austin

[bdk]

Looks like the nose gun ports are missing. Hot rod perhaps?

[airnutz]

Looks like the nose gun ports are missing. Hot rod perhaps?

Smooth nose and early-style scoops...An homage to "White Lightnin's" Lefty history?...Coool, Gone from these shores, but not forgotten.

Last edited by airnutz on Fri Sep 01, 2006 6:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Michel Lemieux]

Quick question on white lightning....

The workmanship & the technology used is amazing.... Pretty cool.

But what is left of the original bird......

Except for a few casting it seems that almost all the aluminium is brand new

I was wondering at that point if you are going to stamp & mill so much new stuff.........................Well, why not do some extra's......

How about for all the new build ones that are to be made Down under with all the recently recovered airframes....

[Mudge]

HMMMM...I wonder if it's too late to get them to put in a back seat?

Mudge the persistent

[RMAllnutt]

Quick question on white lightning....

The workmanship & the technology used is amazing.... Pretty cool.

But what is left of the original bird......

Except for a few casting it seems that almost all the aluminium is brand new

I was wondering at that point if you are going to stamp & mill so much new stuff.........................Well, why not do some extra's......

How about for all the new build ones that are to be made Down under with all the recently recovered airframes....

Having seen this restoration project in person, I would have to say that the vast bulk of it will be original "White Lightnin" material. The fire and crash landing did a significant amount of damage to the airframe though, especially the lower areas which made contact with the ground, so you can hardly expect this structure not to be replaced. It will be a beautiful aircraft when it's finished, and while some may be at their level, there are no masters of metal work better than those at Ezell Aviation.

Cheers,
Richard

[RMAllnutt]

I was told that the aircraft would be finished in polished aluminum... so it will really shine... gotta be the prettyest P-38 by far!

Cheers,
Richard

[C170BDan]

Flew over this morning to see the progress for myself. Looks to be quite a bit of original metal still there. Some areas are all new scructure AND skin... some just new skin. The workmanship is just mindblowing!

[Lynn Allen]

I sure wish I could turn on the Discovery channel and watch "American Warbird" instead of "American Chopper" ! quote]

We actually talked to them about that very idea when we were doing all of that airframe work with FIFI. However, the networks live on deadlines, and Lord knows I couldn't keep one of them if my life depended on it. Heck, I even told them I'd throw a chair across the hangar every now and then for "entertainment purposes" but they passed.

Gary Austin

Gary, you could use the CAF's trash can's that they were selling along time ago. They had a hangar full of them. How are you set on Tatoo's??
You will need them to be Gary Sr.

Lynn

[Andy in West Oz]

Ooh, that's pretty!

Does Red Bull ever take any of its warbirds to the air races they put on?

Cheers

Andy

[jreichle]

The flying bulls’ fleet in Europe is attending the air races and airshows frequently.
A schedule can be found on their webpage www.flyingbulls.com

Picture of Corsair OE-EAS was taken at the Tannheim Fly-In (Southern Germany) in July 2006

Joerg

[Swiss Mustangs]

...and here at Mollis Airshow in Switzerland 12th August 2006



Martin