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Information wanted - Australian P-38 sold to US buyer?

Sun Dec 05, 2004 8:12 am

I heard a rumour while on business in Sydney that a P-38 wreck/project is due to be sold to a US buyer.

Does anyone have any information about this aircraft/serial number?squadron details etc.

Will it go to the US or could it be another project headed for the Murray Griffiths Wangaratta restoration Facility.

My interest is purely to see if its being used for parts of as a possible restoration to fly?.

Wouldn't it be great to see a SWP veteran flying again!

Sun Dec 05, 2004 8:38 am

Hi shelldrake

There are a number of possible sources for such an aircraft and some of these have been around for a little while.

Without knowing the source of the machine - which could be from 3 collectors I know of but others are possible- it is impossible to make an intelligent guess.

If you can give me a little more information we could probably find out what is happening.

Regards
John Parker

Sun Dec 05, 2004 8:47 am

just a whisper from ages ago, uncofirmed at that, was that there was a second P-38 imported to adelaide for use as a parts and patterns machine for the restoration of Bob Jarrett's lightning ( classic jets air museum ).

Never know, might tbe this air frame going somewhere if indeed it ever did arrive or whatever.

Sun Dec 05, 2004 8:52 am

Hi

Yes a major section of a second P38 was apparently imported to assist Bob in his project but there are also other possabilities.

Regards
John P

Australian P38 for sale

Mon Dec 06, 2004 2:39 am

You are probably talking about the two P38s that were sold out of Melbourne to Westpac restorations.

I can assure you that the Sydeny P38 is still there and isnt going anywhere
at present.

Mon Dec 06, 2004 9:06 am

The person I was speaking to is based in Sydney and has pretty good connections in the aviation industry, he was adamant there were at the very least some negotiations underway to purchase a P-38 here in Australia. This does not necessarily mean it will leave the country as we are all aware of several aircraft currently under restoration here in Australia for overseas owners.

What these owners intend to do with them is anyone's guess.

Mon Dec 06, 2004 9:17 am

Didn't Paul Allen or the FHC buy a P-38 from the Down Under way?

I don't have my lasted Fly Past Mag on me.

P38

Mon Dec 06, 2004 1:45 pm

Unless the source of the information can be identified I would suggest the information is just part of the rumour mill that has has no substance but makes for "good shooting the breeze" type conversation.

P-38 purchase rumour's

Mon Dec 06, 2004 7:22 pm

Its been my experience that for every pound of rumour there is an ounce of truth! I really don't think shelldrake is being malicious, he/she has obviously heard something and has found this forum a good way of clarifying things which I think is a good way to go about it. If we were to exclude all the rumours and gossip from this forum and many others and for that fact even several magazine publications then there wouldn't be much to discuss. Whoever it is, whether its true or not as a supportor of warbirds I wish them well in whatever venture they undertake.

just my two cents worth

Digger

Mon Dec 06, 2004 9:07 pm

Hi Folks

The issue here is that for all the rumors there is often a thread of truth to them - often they are taken out of context or not fully informed.

I am fairly well informed on a fair bit of stuff that happens but there are reasons which often relate to the basis in which you gain information that you are not able to share that information in forums such as this until it comes out as public information.

I have friends and aquaintences who share confidences with me on the basis that this information is not published. If I then hear a rumor relating to that information then I can't go spruking all I know because that is a breach of trust in the people who shared that information in the first place. The same goes for a lot of people who have knowledge but are unable to always share it - they would love too but people will never confide in them again if they do. I can assure you most news comes out eventually and as soon as people can they do publish it.

I understand this often frustrates people in the forums who want to know everything and see every photo then and there but people just have to learn to understand that sometimes it just takes a while to fall into place and become public information. Making demands of people only forces them to retreat and then nothing ever gets shared.

Kindest regards
John Parker

P-38 for possible US buyer

Mon Dec 06, 2004 10:10 pm

I agree 100%, perhaps shelldrake is simply tryin to protect the source?
Lets not put pressure on forum members to do this, lets encourage them to come foward with what ever information they have, after all we are all interested in the subject matter. You can go to most topics on this forum and see rumours posted that have actually turned out to be accurate.

keep the rumours coming, provided they are done with good intent I think this forum can only benefit.

Digger

Mon Dec 06, 2004 11:07 pm

You know, Patience is a wonderfull thing, when you can find it! All things, eventually, come in there own time. OR not! :wink:

Tue Dec 07, 2004 9:42 am

Guys,I must have been in hibernation.Could someone please tell me when said P-38's arrived in Oz and what sort of cond they were in.Regards,Pete

Tue Dec 07, 2004 4:15 pm

Hi Pete

No you haven't been in hibernation it's just that there has been no publication of the facts on these and nobody has all the info. There have been a number of P38s come and go from Australia over the past few years - perhaps up to six - and the people involved didin't want to publish the information as is their right. One day all will be revealed - a couple of these machines were very important P38s and as they are restored their stories will come out including their recovery.

Kindest regards
John P
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