Any news about P-38L "Putt Putt Maru"?

Sun Sep 23, 2007 9:26 am

Can anybody tell me what's happening with Tom Blair's P-38L "Putt Putt Maru" N9005R, (formerly owned by the Lone Star Flight Museum for many years and by Bill Ross for many years before that)? Is it being completely restored or just having a major inspection/overhaul? Is Mr Blair going to keep it in Charles McDonald's markings or will it get a new paint scheme? Being a diehard P-38 fan, I'm wondering how soon we can see her in the skies again.

Dennis

Sun Sep 23, 2007 9:38 am

Last I heard it was just an IRAN and will be repainted OD/Gray.

You can look here for a little bit more info and pictures.

http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/ind ... 03&hl=p-38

Mike

Sun Sep 23, 2007 2:15 pm

It is currently awaiting some major componets to return from ovehaul. the re-assembly has started and the scope of the work completed by the Lauderback Brothers is stunning ! This will be one fine looking P-38 when finished. T. Blair will be repainting the A/C in a new and authentic color scheme, of which it is not myplace to disclose however, I can tell you that It will be different from all the other P-38s out there and it will have great historical significance.

You can expect to see it back in the skys by years end !

Sun Sep 23, 2007 2:40 pm

Hunter1 wrote:T. Blair will be repainting the A/C in a new and authentic color scheme, of which it is not myplace to disclose however, I can tell you that It will be different from all the other P-38s out there and it will have great historical significance.

I wonder if the plastic model perched on the stab in one of the pics found in the link above may be a hint?

Sun Sep 23, 2007 5:28 pm

Close but no big ole cuban stogie !

Sun Sep 23, 2007 6:39 pm

Group Captain Bergstrom,

OK, you've confused me.

"Being a diehard P-38 fan..." but the AVATAR? :wink:

Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:00 am

I know Robin Old's P-38J Scat III was a bare metal scheme, was Scat II OD over Gray and if so, maybe that's the new scheme? Would be a great way of honoring the man....

Enjoy the Day! Mark

Mon Sep 24, 2007 4:28 pm

That link says OD with invasion stripes with a triangle on the tail.

Mon Sep 24, 2007 5:25 pm

Django wrote:That link says OD with invasion stripes with a triangle on the tail.

... and yellow spinners. Kind of sounds like a 20th Fighter Group/55th Fighter Squadron paint scheme like "California Cutie" had back in the day.

Mon Sep 24, 2007 5:43 pm

The link is not 100% accurate.... it was just an option that was on the table months ago.

Thu Sep 27, 2007 4:26 pm

Hunter1 - any updates on the paint scheme?!

Enjoy the Day! Mark