F2G race 74

[Chris]

Bob Odegaard brought race 74 down to the Az Wing of the CAF after Reno. What a beautiful aircraft. A few notes. Aircraft does not have flaps so no need for the extra rudder tab at the base of the rudder as on other F2Gs. These pics were taken with my phone but I'll get out and take a few more if anyone wants some.

[cwmc]

I think the flaps were removed for weight and drag reduction as well the sub rudder for reduction of drag through less wetted area. It was modified like that in 1947 through 1949 by it's then owner Cook Cleland and restored as is by Bob. #74 won the 1947 Thompson Trophy race flown by Cook, and was top qualifier in 1949 by Dick Becker.
By contrast, #57 was basically stock.
Chris...

[b29flteng]

I don't know about the flaps but I believe the first few built didn't have the rudder extension. After the first flight test they discovered they need more rudder at high power settings, and thus designed and installed the rudder extension.

[Lynn Allen]

Race 74 was the main reason I attended Reno this year. I was hoping for t-shirts but Boise Bee had the best shirts This year.What a work of art. Chris, which Mustang is at the bottom of your first picture? Thanks for sharing them.

Fly Safe

[mike furline]

F2G-1, land based, no fold or manual fold wing(?), single rudder.

F2G-2, carrier based, hydraulic fold wing, auxiliary rudder.

Conflicting information regarding all F2Gs being retrofitted with auxiliary rudder. I'll scan my photos when home.

[JohnTerrell]

Thank you Chris for the photos - I certainly would be interested in seeing more!

I was doing some internet roaming around yesterday, actually trying to locate some Thomspon Trophy-related photos, and came across this beautiful photo that was taken last week, with Race 74 and Galloping Ghost parked next to one another at Reno:

http://www.warbirdimages.com/1947-reunion

Lynn, I believe that is the Odegaard's P-51 "Stang", the former "Dazzling Donna" (from years ago). Mr. Thomas Ungurean, owner of Race 74, has hangered his P-51 Cripes A' Mighty at the CAF Arizona hangar as well, at times, which can also be seen in the background of the last photo.

[k5083]

Some pics from Friday. This is a spectacular airplane.

August

[Tailspin Turtle]

F2G-1, land based, no fold or manual fold wing(?), single rudder.

F2G-2, carrier based, hydraulic fold wing, auxiliary rudder.

Conflicting information regarding all F2Gs being retrofitted with auxiliary rudder. I'll scan my photos when home.

The auxiliary rudder was determined to be required for a carrier approach, which was basically the same as the classic short-field landing technique: drag it in a few knots above stall ("hanging on the prop"), chop the throttle just before the end of the runway. The auxiliary rudder deflection was automatic with the gear and/or flap extension.

[mike furline]

F2G-1, land based, no fold or manual fold wing(?), single rudder.

F2G-2, carrier based, hydraulic fold wing, auxiliary rudder.

Conflicting information regarding all F2Gs being retrofitted with auxiliary rudder. I'll scan my photos when home.

The auxiliary rudder was determined to be required for a carrier approach, which was basically the same as the classic short-field landing technique: drag it in a few knots above stall ("hanging on the prop"), chop the throttle just before the end of the runway. The auxiliary rudder deflection was automatic with the gear and/or flap extension.

I've read, but can't confirm that F2G-1's were retrofitted with the auxiliary rudder.

F2G-1 with aux. rudder; functioning or non-functioning?
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Goodyear ... 6f0653b084

F2G-2 Race #57
Flaps up, aux. rudder in trail.
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Goodyear ... 6f0653b084

Flaps down, aux. rudder defleted.
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Goodyear ... 6f0653b084

Flaps down, aux. rudder in trail.
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Goodyear ... 6f0653b084

F2G-2 Race #74
Single piece rudder,
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/F ... _ak_9b.jpg

[jaybird]

Awesome, thanks for the pics August. I see a GoPro mounted by the headrest. Man, I hope some video gets posted online somewhere for us to find!

[JohnTerrell]

Absolutely beautiful, August! Your photos really capture the aircraft very well.

One of the things I enjoy most about the paint scheme on Race #74, is that its looks parralel those of the street rods and stock cars of the period, so well.

[Chappie]

Wow. I did not realize that #74 made it to Reno. Beautiful aircraft.


Chappie

[rc38pilot]

I believe race 57 is also in Arizona???? Do I smell an awesome air to air photo op in the near future????

[Rob Mears]

No doubt!! Surely Bob Odegaard and Ron Pratte have communicated about the possibility of an historic air-to-air shoot...or at least some combined ground shots. I wonder what the chances would be of flying the two to Seattle and coordinating the the BMoF for a threesome. Now THAT would be a dream come true, even if it would be a tarmac shot, though I can imagine '454' on the ground with the other two performing a low formation pass overhead. Ahh, the imagination boggles.

[Chris]

If you want to know about a F2G formation flight, I have already suggested it to someone from the Race 57 camp who would have to be involved to make it happen. Here is his quote. "We will have to wait and see what the politics are." This person is a close friend. While he would not delve into specifics, it may be regarding who will be doing the photographing, whether it is a major magazine or a private photographer. Thats just my guess. As for now, they know about the historic possibilities but lets take a wait and see approach.