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Well the WIX is sure changing, perhaps the economy makes everyone a bit nastier than in the past...
First thing this morning was the Intrepid thread where a number of folks thought the cost was to much for the state to bear in helping keep the old ship, and that perhaps the money was better spent elsewhere. Regardless of the outcome of that debate, I'll let that go. By the way, BB-62 has a good home, and neighborhoods have a habit of evolving from high income to low, and back again. Its important to view the BB-62 project as the revitalization of a town, and an investment in the future. Perhaps more of our precious artifacts could be saved if viewed in this light.
The next issue is the P-51 and B-24 discussion emanating from the folks here. Now I came in here thinking that regardless of the lack of a mission statement of general guidelines, that most people were concerned with preservation, layperson restoration, pro-restoration and finally warbird industry advocates. The badmouthing and general lack of respect for bith the operator and organizations building supporting and operating two of the most interesting and significant aircraft in this country is astonishing. Putting the man's certificate up to make a "point" is a bit too much.
First, there are several B-24's. There is ONLY ONE FLYING B-24 representative of the aircraft that carried thousands of Americans into battle that flies. There are other aircraft of the B-24/PB4Y type that operate, but these are derivatives of the standard aircraft that took some time to evolve. The CAF has done an amazing job creating Old 927, but truly some licence has been taken when this is described as an "american combat aircraft". This is an LB-30 and was one of several aircraft built to British Specification. This one became a company ship and had an interesting history and made a very big contribution to the war effort. It was restored into another configuration in any case. Of the LB-30's the few that survived the war found jobs as executive transports, in fact 2 survive today. The FAA used this first aircraft on the register to "standardize" the rating. Nevertheless somebody thinks its cool to point fingers and pick nits, nice touch.
The best way anyone has ever had to experience a razorback Mustang has to be N251MX. Rob Collings has demonstrated unbelievable commitment and guts in buying and putting the plane out there. This airplane, as is the B-24 and B-17, is THE ambassador now to the general public. Before Jay over 100 folks got to fly the P-51C for the first time that previously would never have had the chance. To have the lot of fence sitters critiquing the efforts in building the thing by pedigreeing the rivets is simply F***ed up. There are no Merlin remaining Razorback Mustangs, and the one that was left in private hands was restored in a way that prevents ever taking anyone along. Regardless, this plane is a stunning example of the restorers art. Its also painted as a B, so thats the data block. If you have something nice to say, then feel free to say it.
Oddly the Mustang unauthenticity was ripped on in the thread that said the LB-30 was also a B-24! Now thats not cricket.
Lastly, there is only one Allison worth a dang, and thats the G6R. Rolls Royce made a great engine. If you dont think so find an Allison powered aircraft that beat a Rolls engined one. There were only a few, and they were G6R's. The Merlin is a stunning design, its complicated, but it works. By the way, I heard there was a guy up (the poster) Idaho way converting an ALLISON MUSTANG to a MERLIN ONE. Ask him about what he'd rather have after he flies it!....By the way, The "Boise Bee" color scheme will become in my mind the most "combat cool" scheme a "B" can have. And I will call that thing a "B" all of my natural born life. As for flying it farther than you can ship.......it took two Allisons to carry one pilot half the way to Berlin. It takes one Merlin. And that plane outlasted the fork tailed bird by a few decades.. In any case standing up for the Merlin. Both served us well. And I can't wait to see the Paul Mustang!
Now I realize today Allisons are pretty neat, and as a pilot they run good. But If I had to take one into combat, I would think the P-51B was more beautiful than I do now. And thats a lot.
This is the WIX board.
Its a tired debate Bf-109 and Me-109, P-51B/C, Ha-1112 Bf-109 or B-whatever. Every warbird operator is doing the best they can with what they have. When The CAF comes in with 927, its your job to come out and support the darn plane to keep it flying. Likewise when Witchcraft shows up, give her the due deserved. She has flown for years in this country in every weather, and has taught several new generations of pilot who would never have gotten a chance what it was like to be a B-24 pilot, and is truly the last of her kind. She is on the road 10 months a year showing a skeptical public that American knowhow was once the standard of the world. No other vintage aircraft is outflying the Collings Planes, nor is any other group.
Last edited by Joe Scheil on Wed May 28, 2008 7:38 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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