Warbird Information Exchange

When I was 14 I started going out to the Combat Air Museum in Topeka, KS. that summer there was a Mechanic for David T working on some of his planes. Dick Wright told me that if I was going to keep showing he was going to put me to work. I got to run up the P-47 while Dick was adjusting the engine, later I got to taxi the B-17 down to the airshow line and got to ride in the mosquito for a HIGH speed taxi down the runway ! needless to say I was Hooked on warbirds from then on.

you lucky sod!

greg v.

you were 1 lucky fortunate teenage punk!!! i'm green with envy at 45!!!

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tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!

Heck, at 14 I could barely start my Cox .049!

Wade

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Website: http://www.wademeyersart.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Wade.Meyers.Studios

Lucky Devil indeed!

By the way, which mosquito were you referring to? That's the first operational one I have heard of hear in the US in the modern warbird era, prior to Kermit's of course.

Cheers.
Richard

I believe this would be the bird now in the USAFM which, as I recall, was with both Tallichet and the CAF prior to returning to the UK and Doug Arnold.

It is now at the USAF museum, at the time we were getting it ready for it's trip across the pond.

That just goes to show something to you guys, especially those involved directly with the aircraft. You have the ability to create the next generation of enthusiasts just by showing some kindness to a kid who shows some interest.

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Scott Rose
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What ever happened to the "D" model, that the NMUSAF had, that was donated by Republic??

I haven't seen it since I got back from the Navy.

Shay
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Semper Fortis

The airplane you are running is 45-49192/N47DD which Robin Collard bought from Tallichet. The test pilot flying it home had an engine failure taking off out of Tulsa nearly destroying the airplane. The wreckage was merged with the fuselage of a N model and was finally completed by Figher Rebuilders in 1986 and then went to TFC in the UK where it became No Guts No Glory...which just returned to the USA.

The remains of the original N47DD, where then sold to the IWM and was built into a static example now at Duxford. So 45-49192 spawned two airplanes.

Tallichet traded the AFM a C-130A for 45-49167 N47DB, which is now on display and is in Shay's photo above.

I know that pilot quite well. Heard the story many times.

I would love to get in touch with him for the Thunderbolt survivors book I am working on...

I assume that was N47DD in 1980, right. I can try and seek him out, he moved to his ranch/farm about 50 miles from town.

Yep, that is the one. I had an interesting conversation with Robin Collard about the bird, but was never able to track down the ferry pilot.

I feel dumb, but I thought we were taling about a Mosquito here, not a P-47?