Warbird Information Exchange

I'm not so sure I'd want to risk running up an airplane while it's tethered to a fire hydrant. The piece of pipe the hydrant is bolted to is a special pipe that is scored around the outside. This is to allow the hydrant to break free if struck by an object (i.e. car, truck, etc) without damaging the pipes underground.

Its not like this aircraft is running unattended. There's a guy in it with the stick back. The hydrant keeps him from standing on the brakes 100% of the time.

Steve G

John Bagley's Mormom's Mustang ??

And what is Harry Barr's other Mustang named? I'll have to check my numbers closer tomorrow night


TIA,

Lynn

I don't agree, chock it and the person running up the plane holding the stick back. Or are they just lazy.

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OK, let's look at the facts. Special pipe for the hydrant? The strap is at the shear point and pulling 90 degrees. Odds of reaching the load required to shear seems unlikely. The leverage of an auto hitting high up on the hydrant, yeah, but not where they are teathered.

PIC, I'd give him some credit based on the previous explanation of the process involved.

Chocks, no way if the strap actually broke. Talk about a "trip" and major prop, gearbox, engine damage.

Given the facility, I think they know what they are doing. I'd trust them with my Mustang! (oh yeah, if I had one)

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The way I have done it is as follows;
You tie the tail down. I use chocks and ride the brakes with double straps. The straps prevent the tail from lifting up, not restraining the whole aircraft.
If you use high enough power with the brakes locked on run up you will pick up the tail. Thats why there is a decal on the panel which tells you not to do that.
Everybody has their own methods for doing things.
Rich

Does this thread give credence to Gary's "How many Wixers does it take to change a light bulb" theory

Steve

It's practically a reflex action for tailgragger pilots to keep the stick back while running up or taxiing. The tail will not come up sitting still with the stick back. Give these guys some credit. I think they know what they're doing.

Steve G

John Bagley's Morman Mustang is in the far hanger door being readied for transport.
http://www.warbirdregistry.org/p51regis ... 74865.html
Harry Barr's other Mustang is 44-84933
http://www.warbirdregistry.org/p51regis ... 84933.html

Steve,
I agree that these guys know what they are doing but Rich is correct. Regardless of a tailwheel pilots instinct to keep the stick back during a run up the Mustang will raise the tail with chocks, brakes, stick full back and so on above 40" of MP. It will lift it right off the ground gaurenteed! Relax a bit of back pressure around 35" and it'll raise it as well. So anything above 30" can be pretty dicey unless you know what your doing. The more fuel you have in the wings the better but no gaurentees.

MikeV

Shouldn't it be more like NEB R ANG ? 4 letters for state and the ANG(7 total)? That's the way it is here.....


Hope the painter doesn't miss that!!

Thanks for the correction. A very important detail.
I guess I'll need to proof any future posts a little better.
I think I'll skip the photo next time so I don't get the hydrant-huggers and anoraks worked up...

Oh it's easy done....lots of Cubs runnin' around with N's painted backward! Especially under the wing with those BIG 20 -24" numbers.

Rich and Mike,

I stand corrected. Is the P-51 the only warbird with this trait?

Steve G