A squadron of P-38s

[Mike]

Well, not quite a full squadron, but will 4 do you?

I took a day off work today and thought I'd put it to good use with a trip to Chino.

Firstly, I popped into the Yanks Air Museum as it has always been closed when I'd previously tried to visit on weekends. A great collection of almost exclusively US-built aircraft, here is their F-5 recce-configured Lightning. Best described as 'theoretically airworthy, but not flown'



Next, over at Planes of Fame, Glacier Girl receiving a thorough going-over before her planned trip across the pond in late-June. Although I'd seen her a couple of times before, seeing her close up in this state made me realise just how stunning a rebuild job was done by Bob Cardin and his team.



Also present was Jack Croul's P-38, just flown again after work by Klaers Brothers at nearby Rialto. That makes 3 airworthy P-38s in the world now.........



......and this is the third, the Planes of Fame example here flown by John Maloney for the media day for the airshow at Chino on 19-20 May, when all 3 P-38s are planned to fly together. A real surprise was the camera ship, none other than TFC's old Baron, formerly G-AWAH and now owned by Steve Hinton. Having had many flights in it from Duxford, I certainly never expected to fly in it again after it was sold on.











So that makes 4 P-38s today. Anyway, it's been a long day, so I'm off to get some sleep now while you enjoy the photos.

Anyone care to wager how long it will be before Mudge arrives on this thread?

Last edited by Mike on Thu May 10, 2007 12:02 am, edited 1 time in total.

[JBrawner]

well its late but he might feel a tremor in the force and pop online soon enough. very nice pics. love seeing more of those twin tails around.

[CWBuff]

Groovy pix as usual Mike...


Fade to Black...

[André]

Great shots Mike !

[Andy in West Oz]

Corr, I've never even seen one P-38, let alone four in one day! Great pics!

[Mark V]

Lovely photos Mike - any shots of the camera ship in her new location?

[Shay]

Great shots of my all time favorite aircraft.

Thanks

Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

[vg-photo]

Great stuff, Mike! It really makes me look forward to the show. Just 9 days to go.

[Chicoartist]

Gr8 images of a Gr8 kite!

Wade

[hahnej]

Just wondering?

[corsair166b]

So now if someone adds in a pic of the former Lone Star machine, which is supposed to fly from what I hear, we'll have 5 of them....

M

[Ztex]

8 1/2 hours later and Mudge hasn't shown up...? hmmmm I'm worried

Nice pics...When is the Red Bull machine gonna be ready? Would be beyond cool to see all of them together...

[Mudge]

SO THIS IS WHY I COULDN'T GET TO SLEEP LAST NIGHT!!!

Holy crap...I kept tossing and turning and finally had to take drugs.

I'm now feeling an irresistible pull toward the left coast. I'm sure it'll get stronger as May 17th (my departure date) approaches.

Great post, Mike. Thanks.

Mudge the irresistible

ps. Mike...you realize that was a vicious thing to do to me.

[Dan K]

So, just what is the current status of "Putt Putt Maru"? Is Mr. Blair planning flights in 2007? Have they already occured?

Obviously first flights for the Red Bull machine and "Ruff Stuff" are just around the corner.

Nothing like airshow season in the good ol' US of A!

[Shay]

She sure has come a long way......

From this:...



To this......



I really hope one of the teams is successful in pulling the rest of the Lost Squadron out of the ice.

Shay
_____________
Semper Fortis