Ron Fagen's new B-25J

[k5083]

Kind of agree with Jack I guess. Attractive airplane, but history-wise, a bit of a mashup.

Then again, Mr. Fagen's P-38J is painted as a P-38G -- quite different looking airplane -- but nobody complains because hey, it's a lovely P-38. In fact all of the airworthy olive-drab P-38J/Ls (Ruff Stuff, Tangerine, 23 Skidoo, Thoughts of Midnite) are painted as Fs, Gs or Hs, incorrect in the same way that painting a P-40N to look like an AVG P-40B is incorrect. But, to reiterate -- they're P-38s! So who cares!

August

[Mark Allen M]

I care, but I have always cared but who cares that I care? Just me and that's fine. Owners are entitled to paint their property any way they wish (and they do all the time) but I'm entitled to my opinions of the way they paint their property only as long as it's respectful of course

Like señor Cook stated "it doesn't cost anymore to do it right" ... Well usually it shouldn't anyway.

I care about accurate paint schemes and I may express it from time to time, but I certainly don't condemn an airplane because of a lack of accuracy in paint. And I have yet to have an owner ask for my opinion, advice or financial help to achieve accuracy. And that my friends goes to show you the weight and influence my opinions have with owners ...

All generally speaking ....

[JohnTerrell]

Is this a new restoration or just a new paint scheme? Not really familiar with his collection

The airframe is the former restored "Sunday Punch", but it took more than two years of work to refurbish it, throughout, to get it to the point that it is today (of stunning quality!). For instance, here are some photos from the AeroVintage website, starting with early 2013, illustrating just how far the aircraft was taken down (corrosion removed, interior resprayed and insulated, new nose fitted, Martin turret added, and much, much more):

http://www.aerovintage.com/486698-2.jpg
http://www.aerovintage.com/486698.htm
http://www.aerovintage.com/486698-3.jpg

I personally think some sentiments about the scheme on the B-25 will change once the 'full picture' is had.

Here is a photo thread I posted back in June following the Fagen Fighter's D-Day commemoration event, in which they flew all of their fighters and most of their trainers: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=53230&p=530341&hilit=Fagen+Fighters#p530341

I believe most everyone has already seen the video of them live-firing the guns on their P-51D "Twilight Tear" at the Fagen Fighters home airfield in Granite Falls (not the same guns it flies with): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niJ82YCiuYU
Their P-40E, two P-40K's, and P-51D "TT" restorations are all past Oshkosh WWII Grand Champions.

More videos related to Fagen Fighters:
P-40E and A6M2 Zero display from their 2012 air show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_Hff_URcG0
Museum promo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_2XBmsrWAo
It's not a group that will keep their warbirds grounded during a Minnesota winter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivXgrLq-HNM

I think the Museum also should be commended for the distances they have had their warbirds travel for air shows - for instance, their P-38 has been as far west as Chino/Sacramento a few years back, for the P-38 gathering at the California Capital airshow, and just recently as far east as Geneseo for their air show this past weekend. Their P-40E was flown down to Sun & Fun earlier this year and it, as well as their P-38 and I believe their B-25 will all be at Thunder Over Michigan, following of course Oshkosh, in a few weeks.

Last edited by JohnTerrell on Fri Jul 18, 2014 10:19 am, edited 1 time in total.

[k5083]

The roving nature of their planes and their continued support of Oshkosh both are laudable.

August

[Ryan Harris]

The Lightning has also been down as far as Galveston, TX in 2008 for the Lone Star Flight Museum airshow, and also to the Columbus AFB airshow in Mississippi earlier this airshow season. Since airworthy P-38's are a rare thing, it is nice to see that they are not afraid to let Ruff Stuff get away from home.

[Warbird Kid]

It was really great to see the P-38 at Geneseo. Im hoping they bring there fleet for next year.

[k5083]

Talked briefly with Rob Ator around the P-38 during the weekend. It makes you appreciate the effort these guys put in. It's just one guy and a plane flying out from Minnesota, he has to deal with all the hassles and headaches that come up, from weather to tech issues like the brake problem that he had to find someone to help him fix Friday night. Plus he's sole caretaker of the airplane, responsible for one of his boss's nicest toys (Rob's day job is as a corporate pilot for Fagen's company), fending off the I-wanna-touch types and fielding silly questions from folks like me. Not that he'd trade the gig for anything, but you do hope the airshow organizers make the experience as easy as possible for these guys so they don't mind coming back. That's why, seems to me, the most successful long-term shows are hosted by outfits that fly their own planes to other shows. They get it.

August

[Invader26]

Nice job indeed, but I like the original OD/NM look myself...