Warbird Information Exchange

I took these this morning when Jeff flew Evergreen's P-51D N51DH s/n 44-63576.
The blazing sun shining again polished metal made it a bit difficult but they came out pretty good.

Jeff doing the pre-flight

firing her up

ready to go

taxing out

back home

shutting her down

Jeff seemed to enjoy himself

At the Cleveland air Races 1947 with pilot George Welch famous WWII ace

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Don't touch my junk!!

For thoses that don't know Jeff Wright, he is one of the best guys you'll ever meet. He's also a heck of a good pilot. People don't loan out their Mustangs to just anybody! I've been fortunate to fly with him in the B-25 a couple of times.

The fact that he is now flying a Mustang is proof that you don't have to be a rich guy. You just have to be insurable and patient! Of course there is more to it than that. It took many years, but good things come to those who wait! I hope this opens up many more cockpits for him.

Congratulations Jeff!!

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Brad

Congratulations Jeff that's excellent news!

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Dan Johnson

Is this what *all* USAF Lt Cols get to fly?!

Can't wait to get promoted!

George Welch was interesting, first USAF pilot to score a kill in WWII (at Pearl Harbor, where shot down four airplanes). He was killed at Edwards testing an F-100.

http://www.afa.org/magazine/valor/0593valor.asp

John

Thanks for sharing Jack. Those historical shots are great!

Mike

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Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

Awesome!

Way to go man!

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Olivier Lacombe -- Harvard Mk.4 C-GBQB

Great to see the Mustang getting a work out again. I used to see this one, and the other Evergreen birds, quite often when they were based near Marana. Do any of them still get exercised on a regular basis?

Thanks for the URL. Great article. I wonder if the two pilots in the article were teh basis for the two character in the more recent Pearl harbor movie.

Not really, just the P-51. Tri-Motor and recently the 450 Stearman. The others haven't flown in a very long time.

Only in that Welch and Taylor equal 2 people and dumb and dumber from the movie also equal 2 people. Don't get me started on that piece of trash movie.
Another famous pilot who flew this P-51 was WWII/Korean war ace Jim Hagerstrom also at the Cleveland Air Races just a different year.
I think it who be a cool idea to replicate the marking and take her to Reno.

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Don't touch my junk!!

randy
rules say you have to be an 05 and 28 years then you get to do this, and right after, they retire you and send you on your way.. done the 37,38/33 and 15 but this rocks... just wait you'll get your chance too ... stay at it and get as much round time as you can... i've been playing with this stuf for well onto 35 years now

take care

Jack,

I have always felt the same way about the Evergreen P-51D. It needs to be seen one more time at least (maybe Reno 2007 in a 60-year anniversary of its racing heritage as a plug for the museum) in her bronze race #37 colors, even as a madern day "Bronze" racer. Then they can restore it to more real nose-to-tail Oregon ANG colors if they want/have to. This airframe has some great racing history (Cleveland/Miami) and I'd rather see it in racing colors long term if it were my choice.

Lowell

JCW,

Pardon.."round time"?

Stearman then AT-6 front and back the more the better!

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Don't touch my junk!!

well,
i'ts a start and then you grow up and get a V12 that is untill i get at the coursair.. then i'll have to come up with something else... a t-bolt would be a hoot too... what do you say John L or Bill Klairs???

just got back from taking it to Eugene can't think of a better way to spend the morning and some annual leave

take care