Warbird Information Exchange

I'm trying to find out info on the late Don Knapp that used to own the F4U now in Brazil.

This Don Knapp usually mentioned in Warbird circles, I believe died in the crash of a P-51 during the late 80's(?).

I'm trying to figure out if this was the same Don Knapp that spent a short time in the AVG (didn't fly any combat, before returning to the States after a disagreement with HQ types), and later flew in combat with VF-1 based at Tarawa & VF-60 onboard the Santee CVE-29.

Any one out there have any info? Jack? Rob?

Thanks,

Mac

Hi Jim,

Two different Don Knapp's.

The Don Knapp that died in the P-51 crash was the one time owner of the F4U-1.

Glenn

P-51D, 44-72446, N12700 owned, flown and crashed by Don Knapp. He stalled and crashed after a low pass at Dyess AFB airshow in Abilene, Texas on 23JUN90. He was killed.

"NTSB Identification: FTW90DQG03 . The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 43171.

accident occurred Saturday, June 23, 1990 at ABILENE, TX
Aircraft:NORTH AMERICAN P-51D, registration: N12700
Injuries: 1 Fatal.
ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE PILOT BEGAN HIS AIR SHOW ROUTINE WITH A LOW PASS DOWN THE RUNWAY FROM NORTH TO SOUTH. HE THEN MADE A CLIMBING TURN TO A CLOSE-IN DOWNWIND LEG. AT THE END OF THE DOWNWIND LEG, THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A CLIMBING RIGHT TURN AT WHAT WAS REPORTED TO BE A SLOWER THAT NORMAL SPEED. AFTER ABOUT 90 DEGREES OF TURN, THE ANGLE OF BANK INCREASED RAPIDLY, THE NOSE DROPPED, AND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A STEEP DESCENT. A WITNESS REPORTED THE ENGINE WAS NOT DEVELOPING FULL POWER; HOWEVER, THIS COULD NOT BE SUBSTANTIATED. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ABOUT 4500 FT.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHILE MANEUVERING AFTER A LOW PASS, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL. THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS A RELATED FACTOR."

Martin

Edit.....wow Martin you beat me to this info by two minutes. Amazing.

John

Thanks guys. I guess my VF-1 Don Knapp has disappeared off the radar for good. Too bad, I was hoping to hook him up with some other VF-1 vets.

Thanks again,

Mac

hey - we're talking Mustang here......

Martin



Don Knapp's Mustang

I was there and witnessed the accident. I was holding short awaiting my turn to take the runway, number two behind a Bird Dog. The temperature was around 95-98 degrees, and the radiator outlet door was not open. He was in a tight right pattern and was overshooting the base to final. He cranked in a bit more right rudder to tighten the turn, and thats when he stalled between 400 and 500 feet above ground level. The debris field was compact and localized.

Shortly after the accident, I was summoned to the base photo lab to watch some amateur video that was submitted by the photographer and watched a frame by frame of the last two minutes of flight. I pointed out the flight control deflections to the wing commander (Col Arie)that was also present in the lab. I was asked for my opinion because I had more current high performance single engine time than any of the USAF officers present.

Hi Everybody,
My Name is Erik Knapp. The Don Knapp that died in the P51 Mustang was my father. My mother and father got divorced when I was a boy and I was raised by my mother. We just found out in 2003 that he died. Since then I have been trying to get more information about my father. If any of you were his friend and have any pictures of him or his planes or stories that you would like to share with me and my brothers we would appreciate it if you could call me @ 732-616-7427 and ask for Erik or e-mail me your name & phone # and I will call you. My e-mail is blueclaw1@netzero.net. I am now a grown man with 2 boys who never met their grandfather and I would like to show them some pictures of him. I will be glad to pay for any pictures that you have of him. Thanks in advance for any and all information.

Hi Eric, I knew your Dad slightly. I visited his hagar in the Miami area, I can't remember exactly where, around the mid 80 s. I don't have any photos. He was friendly, and seemed to be a man of his word, in that we negotiated by phone for a prop that he bought from me. He attended the airshow at Breckenridge, Texas, I believe, the week before his accident. Someone might have photos from that show.

_________________
Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

Don Knapp was at the Breckenridge Airshow on Memorial Day weekend 1990; some of the photographers who might have been there are Phil Mckenna, Mike O'Leary, Bill Crump, perhaps Mark Morris. Maybe one of these or anyone else might have a photo of Don for the son and grandsons.

_________________
Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

Hi Jim,
Don Knapp X-AVG wingman who left to re-join the Navy after the start of WWII passed away in Tucson a few years ago. He was a nice fellow.
He told me that he felt that with the US entry into WWII he should be wearing the uniform of his country so he left the AVG and rejoined the Navy. He was flying combat a few months after leaving the AVG but is considered by them to be a coward and traitor. He retired has a CDR after 24 years service.

_________________
Don't touch my junk!!

Dear Erik,
I met your dad at his hangar in Ft. Lauderdale in 1985. He was working on the Mustang, and stopped to talk briefly. He was very gruff until he realized I was somewhat knowledgeable about P-51's, and his plane in particular. Then he warmed up, and we spent about an hour and a half in friendly conversation. He was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about his P-51. Hope this helps.

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the tremendous response to my post. It has been overwhelming to get this response. I received 3 calls today and all these posts. I want to say its great that my dad had so many guys that were into the same things he was to hang and talk about planes with. You guys are really great. We have been looking for any info about my dad for several years to no avail, till now. When my mother and father divorced my mother burned all the pictures of him. So while I remember what he looked like when I was young I have no idea what he looked like when he got older. I am curious to see if he looks like me or one of my brothers Kurt, or Don or maybe one of my sons.

Thanks Again !!!

Hi Erik,
I was a the 1990 Breckenridge show. I made every BKD show from 1983 to 1996. I always shot video and had plenty of fun doing it.

I have footage of your father's P-51 flying and the F4U. I can send a
DVD if you are interested.

Bill Greenwood, I have plenty of footage of you too and when I get
caught up archiving I'll send you several DVD's also. Currently I
see you each year at the CAF show here in Midland and can send you
disks anytime.

Stephen

Hi Erik, Like Steve, I was at Breckenridge for 1985-1996 and have some shots of your dad as well, most of them taxing in the Corsair. I'll dig them up and send them your way.

Lynn