Why Everyone Loves P-51Ds
Fri Sep 15, 2006 4:37 pm
Looking at this great photo there really isn't any question why so many people love P-51s. Who ever took this shot gets a 'A' for composition!
Lt Darwin Berry 335th FS 4th FG ready to take-off on a combat mission Fall 1944
Lt Darwin Berry 335th FS 4th FG ready to take-off on a combat mission Fall 1944
Fri Sep 15, 2006 5:12 pm
P-51s 
Fri Sep 15, 2006 5:27 pm
Yeah... Still prefer Spitfires... and Mustangs. Tell me you don't like both...! Seriously, they both cut the mustard for me.
Fri Sep 15, 2006 5:57 pm
I prefer a -38 or a Bearcat, but il take a mustange, lol
The real question is, why does everyone love Sabers, but not Thunderjets?
Why do see F-104s, but not 105s?(other than a 1/3 were shot down) in flying condition
The real question is, why does everyone love Sabers, but not Thunderjets?
Why do see F-104s, but not 105s?(other than a 1/3 were shot down) in flying condition
Fri Sep 15, 2006 5:59 pm
IF I ever had a Mustang (and that is a HUGE freakin' if mind you...) I would love to have it be battle worn, oil streaked, paint flaking off, bullet patches and all. I can see it now... the "rat rod" warbird movement. 
??
Fri Sep 15, 2006 6:19 pm
The real question is, why does everyone love Sabers, but not Thunderjets?
F3H Demon, F2H Banshee!
Sat Sep 16, 2006 8:29 am
Allison powered Mustangs are MUCH nicer
Sat Sep 16, 2006 8:48 am
I prefer the cleaner lines of the H. Too bad not many of them survive.
Sat Sep 16, 2006 10:07 am
Hmmmmmmmm,
well....a Mustang is an esthetically elegant plane. I prefer the brute force and power that a Thunderbolt exudes..... The Jug is just a massive example of brute force and it it could take a beating and bring it's pilot home safe.... The Mustang while a beautiful airframe, lacks a lot of the features that something with a round engine just exudes with its own particular profile....
Just my two cents....
Paul
well....a Mustang is an esthetically elegant plane. I prefer the brute force and power that a Thunderbolt exudes..... The Jug is just a massive example of brute force and it it could take a beating and bring it's pilot home safe.... The Mustang while a beautiful airframe, lacks a lot of the features that something with a round engine just exudes with its own particular profile....
Just my two cents....
Paul
Sun Sep 17, 2006 12:24 pm
on the 86 vs Thud I and II aesthetics - Republic built stout, NA built sleek.
IMHO the 86 is to jet a/c what the Spit is to 'recip'.
Man I love the F-86E and what a sweet ship she was to fly.
IMHO the 86 is to jet a/c what the Spit is to 'recip'.
Man I love the F-86E and what a sweet ship she was to fly.
Sun Sep 17, 2006 1:41 pm
P-51 Mustang... The Cessna Of Warbirds!
(ducks and runs away)
(ducks and runs away)
Sun Sep 17, 2006 1:45 pm
drgondog wrote:on the 86 vs Thud I and II aesthetics - Republic built stout, NA built sleek.
IMHO the 86 is to jet a/c what the Spit is to 'recip'.
Man I love the F-86E and what a sweet ship she was to fly.
And Lockheed built works of art (Lightning, Shooting Star, Constellation, Starfighter). And they always picked cool names to go along with them.
I'm a big fan of the Thunderjet and wish some remained in flying condition today. My three favorite jets are the F-86, F-84, and the F-80...the order of which depends on small changes in barometric pressure and my mood for the day.
One jet I'd really love to see fly in person is the F-104. Alas, opportunities for that are few and far between. I need to catch the Starfighters team sometime.
Beautiful Warbirds?
Sun Sep 17, 2006 1:56 pm
F-86 or T-33, especially polished are nice; they are sleek without looking too futuristic. Most modern jets are just ugly they don't look like airplanes anymore. Recently I was fortunate enough to fly with Spit, Huri and Me. The Spit especially the Merlin ones are all curves, beauty, and grace, they are almost too pretty, almost femine. The Huri is bulky on the ground but loses that in the air except for the scoop which looks like an afterthought. The 109 has not much elegance, it looks like a nasty little killer. The engine is big, the tail too small and there are scoops and braces.The 51D looks a bit too modrern, I think the C model is really the best blend of the aura of say a P-40, with the later more streamlined 51. Those 2 jugs wit the natural finish, not polished look good.