Tom Cruise Buying New P-51?

Tue May 29, 2007 5:07 pm

Randy Haskin wrote:Capitalism. People don't understand it.

So true. What the people like that lady fail to realize is that when Tom Cruise has the spinner on that plane repainted, he pays a little piece of the wages of the guy who sweeps the floor in the factory that makes the label that goes on the paint can that holds the paint that is mixed to match that airplane. Unless Mr. Cruise buries his cash in the backyard, plenty of unsuspecting people benefit from his wealth.

Tue May 29, 2007 5:43 pm

mustangdriver wrote:Did anyone read the comments under the photo? One of the replies was, " I am a single mom trying to scrape by to put my kids through school, I wish I had that much money to waste." What the heck? Why should someone be bashed for having money and buying stuff they like. God knows if I was welathy enough to buy several WWII aircraft that I would. I don't think that anyone here would do anything different. It is people that say stuff like that that tick me off. As if he has to explain to this lady why is is buying a vintage WWII airplane.

And she is probably at the front of the line buying $10 movie tickets that fund that warbird purchase. He has made a lot of money and I think it is great that someone with money is able to keep 'em flying so some of us can enjoy seeing them in the air.

I can only hope of owning something like that, but in the mean time I am going to continue helping out with these airplanes anywhere I can.

Tue May 29, 2007 6:18 pm

Just keep'em flying
I don't care how many he owns.

Steve

Tue May 29, 2007 6:20 pm

With that kind of passion for the Mustang, to have TWO of them (if that is indeed the case), then it surely won't be long before he has one restored/saved from the brink... and that benefits everyone. Just my 2¢.

Wed May 30, 2007 8:03 am

Heck, TC is in the minor leagues!

I attended the 2001 4th FG reunion in Savannah, Ga., and one of our "side trips" was being invited by Bob Tullius (sp?) to visit his friend Bob Jepson's hangar. Bob's immaculate hangar had FOUR of his personal P-51s (plus Tullius' DUCK before he donated it to the IWM).

He had one more in restoration at the time, for a total of FIVE personally-owned P-51s. :shock:

He also had his personal L-39 and T-6 in the hangar as well. I asked him how often he flew the Mustangs, and he said he tried to put one hour on each P-51 per week. He also said that in terms of comfort, the L-39 was his favorite.

One 4th FG vet asked out loud, "What does this guy do?" Another replied, "I don't know, but it can't be legal!" :lol:

I met him again on a subsequent trip to Savannah with my aviation art group, and turns out he is/was a HUGE big wig with 3M, the sticky-note folks.

Good on him - and Cruise, et al. If your skills or looks or dedication to your job turns out to be lucrative, heck, buy all the P-51s you can get! That's more for us to look at, or ride in!!!!!

Wade

Wed May 30, 2007 8:59 am

Django wrote:With that kind of passion for the Mustang, to have TWO of them (if that is indeed the case), then it surely won't be long before he has one restored/saved from the brink... and that benefits everyone. Just my 2¢.

That'swhat I was thinking. It's perfectly ok for him to buy as many 51's as he can afford - it's his money.

But it would be nice to see him spend some on a rebuild to increase the Warbird population.

Wed May 30, 2007 9:41 am

Saville wrote:
That'swhat I was thinking. It's perfectly ok for him to buy as many 51's as he can afford - it's his money.

But it would be nice to see him spend some on a rebuild to increase the Warbird population.

I know of a C model Mustang restoration crew that would really appreciate any help he would like to give... :wink:

Thu May 31, 2007 4:34 pm

That remark was probably made by that lovely "hottie", Cindy Sheehan :butthead:

Tue Oct 09, 2007 3:07 pm

So did Tom Cruise get a second Mustang? I can't remember if anyone mentioned the ID of it or not....

Tue Oct 09, 2007 9:09 pm

Andrew Semon wrote:So did Tom Cruise get a second Mustang? I can't remember if anyone mentioned the ID of it or not....

Doesn't look like it:

http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry ... ndfind.y=7

Tue Oct 09, 2007 9:34 pm

Maybe the little honey should have kept her legs together more.Class warfare nonsense.I hope he buys five of the darn things.Good for him. Of course the proper A/C would be a Kittyhawk.

Wed Oct 10, 2007 11:52 am

You got that right brother.

Wed Oct 10, 2007 7:01 pm

Andrew Semon wrote:So did Tom Cruise get a second Mustang? I can't remember if anyone mentioned the ID of it or not....

Nope, just rumors because there was another parked at his hangar....

Wed Oct 10, 2007 10:12 pm

Maybe since the CAF P-82 deal didn't go through yet he wants to make his own?

Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:01 am

daveymac82c wrote:Lucky guy. But why would he want another one? Geez...

If I were him I'd try and find something more exotic. Not to be mean, but to be honest, Mustangs are a dime a dozen. Maybe a Spitfire, P-47, P-38 (He could probably afford one) or Tracker, or something Italian or Spanish. Or maybe a spaceship... oops... Did I say that? Sorry for the knock.

-David

Thats sort of what I was thinking.

There are enough p 51s around that there certainly aren't a "shortage" at least when compared with other warbirds. If I had that kind of money, I'd restore something that probably wouldn't be if it weren't for me. Something unique, and rare (and of course something thats fun to fly). I don't know enough about what existing wrecks or partial planes there are, but something like a mosquito, fockwulfe, 109, zero, of course a spitfire, or even (dare I suggest a jet?) a me262.

However, these stories are so anecdotal, who knows if theres a grain of truth to him having intentions to buy it.

Whatever he does with his money, its better than giving any of it to the scientologists.