Warbird Information Exchange

https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=152758378138371

Time
Saturday, August 13 · 10:00am - 4:00pm
Location
Pacific Coast Air Museum
2230 Becker Blvd.
Santa Rosa, California
Created By
Pacific Coast Air Museum
More Info
Ever seen a P-63 King Cobra?
- There are only three known to be flying in the world
- And one of them (the one pictured), will be on display at the Pacific Coast Air Museum:
- - - Thursday, Aug 11th, from 10:00am to 4:00pm
- - - Saturday, Aug 13th, from 10:00am to 4:00pm

Come out and see this very rare WWII warbird at your Pacific Coast Air Museum!

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Remember, the propeller is only there to keep the pilot cool.If you don't believe me, have it stop and watch the pilot start sweating!

Awesome, thanks for the heads up!

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Roger Cain
www.sfahistory.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Stearman/


We must limit politicians to two terms:
one in office and one in jail.

Very cool... can anyone say which other P-63's are currently airworthy, as I can only think of this one. I know there are several under restoration of course. Lovely to see one flying though.

Cheers,
Richard

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Richard Mallory Allnutt - Photography - http://www.rmallnutt.com

The ex-Frank Borman machine now with what's his name, the guy that owns Hoover's old Mustang. Apparently the CAF P-63F is very close as well according to the thread here on WIX.

CAF P-63 is probably within a month from first flight (crossing fingers!) maybe a little longer, but either way, VERY close!

Nice. "what's his name"!! The gentleman's name is John Bagley.

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Greg Witmer, V.P. of Operations
Airboss / Ground Boss / WWII Aircraft Coordinator
David Schultz Airshows LLC

Thanks LARGEFLYER! I knew it was a "JB" but the only name I could think of was Jim Beasley and I KNEW that wasn't right. I would have looked it up but was in a bit of a rush. Apologies to Mr. Bagley whose Kingcobra is probably one of the finest restored warbirds I've ever had the pleasue of seeing.

Thanks LARGEFLYER! I knew it was a "JB" but the only name I could think of was Jim Beasley and I KNEW that wasn't right. I would have looked it up but was in a bit of a rush. Apologies to Mr. Bagley whose Kingcobra is probably one of the finest restored warbirds I've ever had the pleasue of seeing.[/quote]


No problem! I am here to help.

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Greg Witmer, V.P. of Operations
Airboss / Ground Boss / WWII Aircraft Coordinator
David Schultz Airshows LLC

Speaking of John Bagley's wonderful Kingcobra. I wonder if the original data plate was robbed during the many long years it sat derelict in Van Nuys? The airplane is definitely a P-63A-6 serial 42-69021, as early (1947) photos of it testify. William Lear, Jr. ferried it for a friend to Van Nuys from the Altus, OK surplus yard. Today N163FS is registered as a P-63C-5 with serial 43-11223.

Lear wrote about the P-63 and included rare old photos in his book, "Fly Fast...Sin Boldly" on page 208 saying, "Back in 1947 a friend of mine, Ken Kay, decided to buy a Bell P-63 "King Cobra" fighter that the gummint had for sale in Altus, Oklahoma. There were two of them available. Ken asked if I would go there to inspect them and choose the better of the two, buy it and fly it back to Van Nuys. When I arrived at Altus, I discovered two unflyable P-63s, but a very willing military mechanic. I chose the better of the two, S/N 69021, and set about cannibalizing the other to make one flyable bird. This took a couple of days, allowing me..."

I wonder if the data plate for 43-11223 was from the second cannibalized Cobra at Altus, or something Frank Borman had to acquire for the restoration many years later?

Don't forget the Bob Pond's P-63 at Palm Springs AM.

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Don't touch my junk!!

That's the one that's coming to PCAM, Jack. It is now owned by the Palm Springs Air Museum

Just following up on some old email links I never got to, here's the P-63 in question during the PCAM event.
P-63 flown by Will Whiteside
T-28 flown by Steve Scott
C-1 Cod flown by Lynn Hunt

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Roger Cain
www.sfahistory.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Stearman/


We must limit politicians to two terms:
one in office and one in jail.

If I win Powerball I want a C-1 COD. Haul around friends and family, a warbird but maybe not as much to operate or rare as a B-25, then there's the whole Long Island-Grumman link. Do they come on the market often, or am I wrong and they are more rare then B-25's?

I just always liked them for some reason.

Pete

Hey! The CAF P-63F is back in the air in San Marcos, Texas! I've heard for a long time we had one of three, but I've had trouble getting a handle on the other two. Thanks for the info in this thread!

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Ray Clausen
Maintenance Officer
Centex Wing of the CAF