Warbird Information Exchange

Thanks to all of you guys for the information. It looks to me like there are 7 razorbacks in restoration to fly right now, and additionally, Mr. Beck may build 10 new ones.

CAF
Collings
Mr. Rousch
Kermit
Mr. Paul
Mr. Friedkin
PacFighters (in jig)

Quite a change from when I saw the XP-51 (EAA) start up and taxi about 50 ft. at Harlingen one year, then shut down, and I was thinking thats probably the closest I'll come to seeing a razorback fly. It will be a real treat as each of the above are finished and become flyers again.

I had also read somewhere that Brent Hisey was to have a B model project show up at his place sometime in the near future. People speculated that this might be the airframe that was sitting outside of Pacific Fighters, and pictured in Air Classics, but it wasn't ever decided in concrete. I would assume that the airframe now in the jig at Pacific Fighters would be the one from that Air Classics picture.

I call them "highrazorflushfastbacks." Works in every case and kind of rolls off the tongue, doesn't it?

For that matter, I understand that the nickname "Jug" for the P-47 is also a post-war construct, courtesy of author Martin Caiden. I've also heard that the official name for the A-36 was "Invader," and they were never called "Apaches" during the war.

SN

Please pardon my ignorance on this question, but someone is building brand new P-51's? They aren't restorations? Is there a website with more information on this, or a previous discussion on this site?

Would a new-build P-51 count as a replica, or would it still be considered as a warbird?

CO

I always liked the term "High Backer". Term from down under.

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Hang The Expense

Several shops have the ability to scratch build a complete P-51. Jerry Beck has built and flown 1 A model and made parts to assemble another 10 (from what I understand). Flugwerk in Germany is gearing up to build complete D models from scratch as well.

JimH

When I hear of Flugwerk and "D" models in the same sentence it makes me think of "D" as in DORA for Fw 190D.

But then I realize that's not what your were talking about. Please don't do that again I almost wet myself.

Shay
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Semper Fortis

Visalia--

That term "razorback" irks me slightly too (though never enough to comment on it before). Suits the pre-bubble-canopy P-47 very well indeed, and had there been a bubble-canopied F6F Hellcat, it might have suited the familiar original version of that, too, with its aft fuselage of very triangular cross section. But a Mustang or Spit? Not really. I normally refer to those, according to version, as "highbacks" or "bubbletops". I do like "fastback" for the pre-D Mustang, too, though. Sort of ties-in with the car that shares the same name. (Incidentally I've read comment from a 60s Ford marketing exec who claimed the name for the car actually came from the airplane rather than the horse...)

S.

I've also heard that Ford wanted to use the P-51 in the car's logo. North American wouldn't let them, so they used the horse.

They used to be also called "turtlebacks"..

You know...call them what you want....
They're all beautiful!!!!
Jerry

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

I realize any interest is better than no interest, and there will always be aberations of the truth. However, the longer I remain interested and involved from a historical perspective, the more I've come to realize that history is in the details. The rest is myth and legend.

The recent revelation that the famed Red Tails did lose at least one bomber is a case in point. The truth does not diminish their history one iota, no more than Lindbergh's bad recolections ( his book-Spirit of St Louis) takes away from his accomplishment. Yet , I've ALWAYS found truth of what actually happened as or more compelling than any myth or legend.

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Charles Neely

You know, while on that subject, "I wish I had a dime" for everytime I hear someone say "poor guy in the ball turret (B-17) got squished when the gear wouldn't come down". The look on some peoples faces when you show them the tool box mounted on the ball turret frame for the express purpose of jettisoning the turret should the manual crank or the electrics malfunction is priceless. More myth than history.

Jim

The registry says Mike Couches' B model is also in restoration, so that makes 8 razorbacks on the way back. Thanks to five-one for asking about this one. And to P51DFltLn for the status on Mr. Roush's razorback. Sounds like it will be the first of the 8 out of the gate to take to the air. Good times ahead.