Warbird Information Exchange

Wow!
I am amazed as to how long this topic has gone on and nobody has mentioned the fact that Jeff Ethell was flying Bill Anderson's P-40 at Geneseo!

I am looking forward to seeing this repeated over and over in July!

I hope to see all of you there! And Getting Along!

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"Hindsight is usually 20% off!"

Read the first page of he thread.

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Don't touch my junk!!

Still looking?

I know and I am disappointed that Aircraft and that Pilot wont be there looking like that.

I really did enjoy watching the 2 parts of the video too!

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"Hindsight is usually 20% off!"

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Don't touch my junk!!

My favorite P-40 is the one done up as Old Exterminator, and the one that started this whole arguement back when it was painted up as R.T. Smith's #77. I loved the Roaring Glory series and spent sometime with Jeff Ethell helping h im get his keys that he some how dropped in the intake of the P-51 at an airshow. (Inever did figure out how he got them in there) He was a great guy. In the words of Forest Gump that's all I have to say about that. P-40's are done alot in AVG schemes because the P-40 just looks great with that scheme on it. It is like the cowling of that aircraft was made for that paint job. there are not many early model P-40's left, so they are E models and everything else. Oh and the AVG is one of the most famous fighter squadrons ever. Hands down. People who could care less about warbirds and planes know who the Flying Tigers were. I for one like the schemes.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Because it's cool.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Well to be historically accurate a P-40N was never used by the AVG. So it seems a nude point to paint one in AVG markings. I know I am gonna shock you all but the AVG scheme to me is.... . Olive drab looks so much better. True, sharks mouths could be found on P-40's on almost every front of WWII. But not ALL P-40's had teeth.

The AVG DID acquire P-40E's but just at about their time of disbandment into the USAAC. But the P-40E's that did serve with AVG had side numbers 100 and above. The Fighter Factories P-40E is pot on with their P-40E AVG as it has the accurate number of 108. To use the number 77 scheme accurately one would have to use it on a Tomahawk Mk. IIB. To me it just seems so easy to pick an accurate AVG scheme for a P-40E. But yet people seem to get it wrong.

Is that too much detail for you all?

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Shop the Airplane Bunker At
www.warbirdbunker.com

As I wrote, I may be overly doubtful, a bit too skeptic. It may be just as you guys write.
My feelings are probably too colored by several accidents that happened to people I know. Before the loss everyone was a cheerleader. After it, the critisim came out as well as often the lawsuits or financial claims. There is what I call the Titanic factor. It is two parts: first the idea of being optimistic to the point of being careless, what I mean is the idea that what could go wrong so why do we need lifeboats for all, or that extra top off of fuel in the P-38, or the extra nights rest before flying. The other part is everybody is on board until there is a problem. What were the 1600 people doing hours before the ship hit the iceberg? How many of those were asking for more lifeboats or for the Captain to stop the ship until daylight thus delaying the arrival in New York? One big party, just like an airshow, then a lot of I told you so. The truth is all of us humans make mistakes.
A couple of questions, where and when was the P-38 pilots reunion going to be held that they were getting prepared for?
I enjoy seeing the classic P-40s also and enjoyed my one brief flight in one.

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

The P-38 pilots reunion was that day at the museum in Tillamook. Jeff crashed in the middle of it.

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Don't touch my junk!!

Hellcat, Nathan;

Looks like we found you a P-40 pilot who can take you guys up!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h95f7_KeDic

Don't remember asking anyone to take me up anywhere, got me confused with someone else.

I did not imply anything sinister about Pruett's wish to let the a/c go to the NASM. Just curious as to why, and why the NASM would want it (unless for trade). In regard to the comparison of Mustangs and Forts versus P-38s, any non-aviation minded visitor would straight away spot the differance between a P-51B and D, likewise with their two B-17s. But a P-38J and L..?

So, once again, the only reason I wondered is what was the owner's rationale for letting it go there, and not like for example San Diego or other institutions.

As for photos of Pruett's a/c, someone sent me a couple of it in the hangar, painted, but they're on a different computer. Will try to locate them tomorrow.

T J

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Make my day, punk!

A little later than I expected, but here they are. No idea who shot them, they were sent to me years ago with no further info.





T J

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Make my day, punk!

The "Black and White". A buddy of mine banner tows in Super Cubs. He likes getting the Cub in and out of small grass strips. He came across a small 500ft patch of grass on this guys farm. He called the owner of the farm and seeked permission to land and t/o from the field. (There was a "strip" for AG sprayers, just for full disclosure). The owner said "Sure you have permission, unless you crash, then I never heard from you and have no idea what you were trying to do" Now lets add to the owner of the Super Cub that doesnt know he takes it in and out of small grass strips. (500 ft is not a "small strip" for a supercub). All of whom would be mad if something happens. Its one of those things "Everything is fine as long as everything is fine"