Warbird Information Exchange

Steve T. raises the question below about the validity of Mike Coutches still having some major parts of Jackie Cochran's P-51B. 43-24760, c/n 104-25789, was:NX28388, Bendix racer #13.

That is an old rumor that has taken many forms. (Intact, stored in Indio; wreckage stored in Blythe; totally destroyed but data plate survives; under restoration; etc.,...)

Can anyone report the concrete facts on this? Is there a date and any photos of the crashed airplane? Any other info would be appreciated.



Any previous unpublished photos also would be of much interest. PM me about that. I have good trading stock.

Lowell

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know what happened to her Staggerwing?

perhaps the society of air racing historians web site can shed some light / detail?? it's worth a try!!

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tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!

Thanks, Tom. Good hint. I remember reading about her flying it to Avenger Field while I was doing some research in college -- piqued my curiosity then, but I've been a bit sidetracked in the years since!

Hi Beachgirl, I left a note on your posting in Vintage. You might try starting
a seperate thread here in the Wix Hangar...her Staggerwing's a Warbird.

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He bowls overhand...He is the most interesting man in the world.
"In Peace Japan Breeds War", Eckstein, Harper and Bros., 3rd ed. 1943(1927, 1928,1942)
"Leave it to ol' Slim. I got ideas...and they're all vile, baby." South Dakota Slim
"Ahh..."The Deuce", 28,000 pounds of motherly love." quote from some Mojave Grunt
DBF

Thanks, airnutz, I appreciate the input in "Vintage." I hadn't known that it had been impressed by the Air Corps........You've provided me with some good info to start with (in my free time -- HA!).......

C170BDan and Wade at the Staggerwing Museum have both let me know that the record-setting Staggerwing once owned by record-setting Cochran was crashed after being impressed by the Air Corps and never rebuilt. How sad!

Sorry, Lowell, for comandeering your post..........I'll start my own next time..........
-Beachgirl