Possibly 6-7 Thunderbolts at POF Air Show

[JohnTerrell]

That seems to be the rumor on the "interwebs" - if it all goes well, it will be fantastic to see! It was rather recently that a photo was posted here from the 2005 POF air show when they had five flying together.

It got me thinking about all of the P-47's currently active in the U.S. (I count 11-12)

P-47G "Spirit of Atlantic City" - The Air Museum Planes of Fame
P-47G "Snafu" - Friedkin family
P-47D "Balls Out" - Rod Lewis
P-47D "Hairless Joe" - Tillamook Air Museum
P-47D "Big Chief" - Palm Springs Air Museum (maybe a bit of a question mark on this one?)
P-47D "78th FG" - Westpac
P-47D "Hun Hunter XVI" - Neal Melton (Tennessee Museum of Aviation)
P-47D "Wicked Wabbit" - John Shoffner (Tennessee Museum of Aviation)
P-47D "Tallahassee Lassie" - Flying Heritage Collection
P-47D "Tarheel Hal" - Lone Star Flight Museum
P-47D "No Guts - No Glory" - Tom Duffy
P-47D "Jacky's Revenge" - American Airpower Museum

Although not flown, Yanks Air Museum also has two fully restored Thunderbolts "on site" at Chino - a P-47D and the one-of-a-kind YP-47M (both said to be restored to airworthy, but not flown).

In terms of those currently under restoration, the combat-vet P-47D "Dottie Mae" is a big standout, and I believe will likely be the next Thunderbolt currently under restoration to be flying (it sounds like at least another year to go?). There are a few razorback D-models in various states of restoration to airworthy or planned restoration to airworthy, in Australia, at Westpac, and at Aircorps Aviation. It also raises thoughts about some others, like the complete P-47D that Kermit Weeks has in storage in a crate, to one day, hopefully, be restored to fly again.

[Dan K]

P-47D "Big Chief" - Palm Springs Air Museum (maybe a bit of a question mark on this one?)

John, I don't think a "Big Chief" has been visible at PSAM for quite some time...unless they changed her back from "Squirt VIII" that is.

http://www.warbirdsnews.com/aviation-mu ... useum.html

Anyone know if PSAM even takes her outside for an occasional run-up?

[JohnTerrell]

That's right, I forgot about the aircraft's re-paint in recent years. I was thinking back to the 2005 POF show when it was still flying and painted then as "Big Chief". I'll be heading over to the PSAM when I'm out there in early May - it's been at least a couple decades since I last saw any of those aircraft (back when they called Eden Prairie home).

[seaknight15]

JOHN please check out if they have plans for any other A/C flyable. Thanks PAPPY

[Dan K]

Looking forward to all the pics you'll be posting in May!

[Pat Carry]

A few of these Thunderbolts will be coming from quite a distance. Do the airshow venues, in this case the Planes of Fame help with the fuel costs to fly such a long distance? What would the cost of fuel be to fly 2 Thunderbolts from Tennessee to Chino and then back again? I would imagine its probably more than my house is worth rite now.

[BK]

:drink3: A few of these Thunderbolts will be coming from quite a distance. Do the airshow venues, in this case the Planes of Fame help with the fuel costs to fly such a long distance? What would the cost of fuel be to fly 2 Thunderbolts from Tennessee to Chino and then back again? I would imagine its probably more than my house is worth rite now.

I'm pretty sure one of if not the main reason the TN P-47s made it to Chino in 2005 was from the Chevron sponsorship they had that year. The museum's spring newsletter is due any day so might know something soon. Hun Hunter is scheduled to go to Sun n Fun.

[DaveG]

Hun Hunter is scheduled to go to Sun n Fun.

Just cancelled, due to "mechanical issues."

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tennesse ... 8779012174

[BK]

Hun Hunter is scheduled to go to Sun n Fun.

Just cancelled, due to "mechanical issues."

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tennesse ... 8779012174

Saw that right after I posted. Warbirds are day to day, just like the rest of us. Hopefully, nothing too serious.