PoF Visit 12/4/10

[DenverWarbirdFan]

Stopped out to see the Zero fly. That sound of the Sakae never gets old! There was a great crowd as well. It was wonderful to see Swamp Ghost, the 109, and all the winter maintenance going on, especially the "To Do List" taped to the nose of the P-59. I gotta get out there more often!






What Mustang is this?


P-59:



Others







SG:











PL II:

[MKD1966]

I wonder if that mustang is the Friedkin Family's "Frenesi" ? Also I see the "Chrome Cat" has lost her chrome legs... I just love those Bearcats...
Mike

[51fixer]

I wonder if that mustang is the Friedkin Family's "Frenesi" ? Also I see the "Chrome Cat" has lost her chrome legs... I just love those Bearcats...
Mike

No for the Frenesi id.
Looks like Jack Croul's new project being finished.

[hahnej]

What 109E is that?

[N3Njeff]

Where is the N3N???????

[Richard W.]

Anyone know if that Raiden will ever fly?

[Steve Nelson]

I highly doubt it. From what I've heard, the airframe has a lot of corrosion from years sitting outside. Also, the engine and complex driveshaft arrangement would be a nightmare to restore and maintain in operating condition, and I'm not sure how complete she is internally anyway. I know it's always a controversial opinion on this forum, but as the sole surviving J2M it's probably best that she stays on the ground.

SN

[Richard W.]

Hi Steve- Thanks for your reply.

I agree that she's too important to risk. My favorite Japanese Navy type.

[old iron]

Again, what is the story on the Me.109 that looks like a recovery.

[Jack Cook]

Looks like Jack Croul's new project being finished.

Unless he's got a 3rd P-51D that's not his. #2 is flying and highly polished like the first one.

[warbird1]

Anyone know if that Raiden will ever fly?

I highly doubt it. From what I've heard, the airframe has a lot of corrosion from years sitting outside. Also, the engine and complex driveshaft arrangement would be a nightmare to restore and maintain in operating condition, and I'm not sure how complete she is internally anyway. I know it's always a controversial opinion on this forum, but as the sole surviving J2M it's probably best that she stays on the ground.

SN

Many years ago when Ed Maloney was still the head person of POF before Steve took over, he was quoted as saying that he would like to one day restore the Raiden back to flight. That was before the prices of warbirds escalated out of sight and Japanese warbirds weren't real popular. I agree with everything that Steve said above, including that it should not be flown. I do however, think it would be neat to make a few replica's once they break it down for final restoration, like the 262's, Oscar's, etc. I would love to see some replica Raidens at airshows!

[warbird1]

Again, what is the story on the Me.109 that looks like a recovery.

If you search the archives here there is a long post from earlier this year about all the details. In a nutshell, it is owned by the Friedkin family and will be restored by Fighter Rebuilders in due time to original standards, including the DB engine.

[51fixer]

Last week I was told it was close to flight and being finished up.
The project S/N is 44-74202.
Visible is 02 as the last digits on the Vertical in the posted photo.
I've received photos through the restoration and this is a top of the line restoration. I'm aware of the polish on it.
The Roush motor looks good as well.
It'll look good where ever it goes.

[bdk]

I highly doubt it. From what I've heard, the airframe has a lot of corrosion from years sitting outside. Also, the engine and complex driveshaft arrangement would be a nightmare to restore and maintain in operating condition, and I'm not sure how complete she is internally anyway.

The spars have intergranular corrosion, but so did the Zero's before it was restored. The prop and fan used to turn years ago and it has been inside for a long time. AFAIK it is essentially complete inside. I don't see any reason why it couldn't be made flyable, but why would you? How many more visitors would come to the museum every year if it were? There would be other planes ahead of it in the queue anyhow like the P-59, the Diemert Val & the B-17. If a $1M sponsor showed up I'm sure it would be flying within a year.