St Paddy's Day P-38

[Jack Cook]

Happy St Patrick's Day to you all!

Capt Gerald O'Donnell's P-38 292nd FS 367th FG Sep 1944

[Swiss Mustangs]

thanks jack - BUT

St. Patrick's Day 2008 was earlier -

bit of trivia here.......

Dublin, Jul 19, 2007 / 10:42 am (CNA).- Religions celebrations for St. Patrick's Day will come two days early in Ireland next year to avoid a conflict with Holy Week.

St. Patrick's Day is usually celebrated March 17, but Ireland's bishops have shifted the feast day, in honor of the national saint, to Saturday, March 15, reported The Associated Press.

Church authorities reportedly spent weeks debating where to move the feast day because March 17, 2008, falls on the second day of Holy Week next year.

The liturgical norms would require the feast day to be moved to the earliest available date after Easter, which would be April 1. But church officials said the Vatican approved the March 15 date in order to minimize conflict with the scheduled civic events.

While religious celebrations honoring St. Patrick are affected, religious and secular authorities stressed this would not change secular festivities. The St. Patrick's Festival Committee in Dublin confirmed that next year's parade would be March 17 as usual. In addition, Monday, March 17, will remain an official day off of work in Ireland.

This marks the first time the date has been changed since 1940. The next conflict with Holy Week is not expected until 2160.

I am lost for words....
Martin

[Jack Cook]

Here in the land of slugs, rust and rain it's still the 17th!

[Wheels up]

And for the civilian side...."The Irish Swoop"!



These did become warbirds in the Spanish Civil war!

[Zachary]

What's the story on the "Irish Swoop"?

Zack

[Wheels up]

What's the story on the "Irish Swoop"?

Zack

It was built for an Irish flyer(Fitzmaurice I think?) by Bellanca (model 28-70)for the MacRobertson race. It failed inspection due to weight. It never competed but did inspire the Flash which was designed as a bomber for Spain and I think the Swoop even ended up in Spain. Neat airplane. I had exchanged info with Augie Bellanca (Guiseppe's son) and he has some interesting stories.

Bit o' trivia....inspite of all the legend and history books saying Howard Hughes' H1 being the only US civil application for the P&W R1535...the Swoop was originally powered by the 1535 as well. As well as the R4...so much for history.

[bipe215]

The 'Swoop' was a custom made Bellanca, built for a race from England to Australia. It had its problems and didn't enter that race but later set a speed record. I always wondered if it had to be belly landed, if the wings would fold as soon as those pylons got ripped off.

Steve G

[Chicoartist]

Don't forget the 'Irish Lassie' herself! Jack aided me on this project with a nice photo of the nose "art" ...



More very interesting info on this ship and her pilot here, including Jack's photo.

Wade