Warbird Information Exchange

Sort of a touchy subject to some but Dave Hirschman (now at AOPA) saved the SBD and his rear-seater when the engine started to let go on departure out of Florida.

It gradually started to come apart while headed back to the airport. The previous day he followed his usual practice and looked for an alternate near the airport. As he knew he was going to come up short he headed towards that alernate which was an airpark. On base to final the engine froze solid with a lurch. He touched down safely on the grass. The a/c had so much oil on it one could have mistaken it for a night fighter.

The engine was pretty much fell apart when they took it off the a/c.

So every time I go flying out of an airport Ive never been to Im always looking for a takeoff alternate...one of the best flying lessons I ever received.

As opposed to a happy ending and being awarded the warbird equivalent of the Harmon Trophy he was given the workout treatment by the former Soviet Politburo at the CAF...a soggy ending to what should have been the a/c save of the year...

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Rauhbatz
Commemorative Air Force
CAF Ohio Wing/Airbase Georgia Member
PT-19/26, T-34 CAF Pilot


Favorite quote from Wind, Sand & Stars - A. St. Exupuery "friends are like trees...when they are gone we miss their shade"

Rauhbatz, thank you for mentioning that about Hirschman. He is a heck of a good pilot and without a doubt saved the airplane and it's contents. He may have made a few "procedural errors" which caused him grief with the owners of the airplane, but it is my opinion that very few folks would've been able to get the airplane safely on the ground under such circumstances.

Gary

Great commentary about Dave...someday someone will look at the article about this event in Warbirds mag and recognize him for this incredible display of airmanship.

I had the great pleasure of flying with Dave a number of times in Big Blue...they are truly treasured entries in my logbook....

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Rauhbatz
Commemorative Air Force
CAF Ohio Wing/Airbase Georgia Member
PT-19/26, T-34 CAF Pilot


Favorite quote from Wind, Sand & Stars - A. St. Exupuery "friends are like trees...when they are gone we miss their shade"

Not from a round motor but an Offy on a round track, Pocono 500, 1975, Al Unser Sr.

Burned is burned...

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

Good stories keep them comming.