Warbird Information Exchange

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

Really well said TriangleP. I echo your sentiments. Phenomenal!

Thanks for the link Dan.

Andy

^^^ Everything they said.

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Cheers,
Kurt Maurer
League City, Texas

PIC, Ford 6600 pulling Rhino batwing up and down the runway

"We are moving our XP-82 to a large hangar across the field in mid September so we will be able to install our wings and have all of the final work on it accomplished. While in this hangar, the props will be installed and gear retractions will be accomplished along with the final items to complete our XP-82 restoration."

AWESOME! This update gave me a massive grin. Wicked.

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Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG".
https://linktr.ee/zacyates

"It's his plane, he spent the money to restore it, he can do with it what he wants. I will never understand what's hard to comprehend about this." - kalamazookid, 20/08/2013
"The more time you spend around warbirds the sooner you learn nothing, is simple." - JohnB, 24/02/22

Wow, I wonder if first flight might happen in 2016?!

I would presume the AW certification process would be time consuming. I would also presume this would be certified in the "Experimental" category, as I'm fairly certain no type certificate was ever issued for the P(F)-82. Also, who will be doing the initial flying? Will it be single pilot or two? Will the pilots need to be type-rated?

I am not an insider, but it is safe to say that it will be licensed experimental. The right-seater is not a pilot, so no one will be in that seat. The regulation requires esssential crew only. It will require a type rating as the gross weight is well over 12,500 lbs. Some of the top pilots like Hinton and Dawson have an all-types rating that allows them to test fly. As for when and who, boy, wouldn't we all like to know!

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Rob C

Historically, the claim of consensus has been the first refuge of scoundrels; it is a way to avoid debate by claiming that the matter is already settled. “

– Michael Crichton

I had thought the XP-82 was equipped with full dual control so the plane could be flown from either cockpit, and that later night fighter variants were equipped with the pilot on left and radar officer on right.... I guess the question is, is it being restored with dual cockpits or no?

I did not realize the airplane had dual controls. Remember the regulation regarding essential crew. Every T-6 has dual controls. It would be tough to justify putting a second life at risk. It is a highly anticipated event, and will be closely watched. Still, these days, anything is possible, I guess.

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Rob C

Historically, the claim of consensus has been the first refuge of scoundrels; it is a way to avoid debate by claiming that the matter is already settled. “

– Michael Crichton

Tom Reilly said when he was on Warbird Radio (last April?) that he'd have the Lauderback brothers come look over everything once it was ready for flight. Presumably I think he'd have one of them fly it -maybe someone else like Steve Hinton might be on hand? I need to go find that episode...

Found the episode, it was last October. @5:54 he mentions that he thought they were about a year away from the first flight. @11:40 he gets into talking about having all the work looked over by the Lauderback brothers. Then he goes on to say he'd like to hire the 3 best test pilots in the world and they'll flip a coin over who gets left seat, right seat and who gets to watch from the ground for the first flight. Also he says that it will have an Experimental licensing.

http://www.warbirdradio.com/2015/10/tom ... isode-578/

That coin flip is a series of photos I'd love to see!

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Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG".
https://linktr.ee/zacyates

"It's his plane, he spent the money to restore it, he can do with it what he wants. I will never understand what's hard to comprehend about this." - kalamazookid, 20/08/2013
"The more time you spend around warbirds the sooner you learn nothing, is simple." - JohnB, 24/02/22

While reading through the update it reminded me of a question I've been meaning to ask.
Where can I find updates or info on Harker's project?

The T-6 is from a different Type-Set so its not apples/apples. The T-6 is a Type I: Single Piston Engine, Conventional Gear. There are many dual control P-51s, t-6's in this category. The XP-82 is a Type III, Multi-Piston Engine, two engines. Which puts it in the same type-set as the B-25, A-26, P-38, F7F, etc etc. Now the P-38 and F7F were designed as single pilot airplanes. So was the Mosquito. The XP-82 was designed as a two pilot airplane, albeit for ultra long range escort missions. I wouldn't be surprised at all if they FAA requires PIC and co-pilot for the bird when it flies, given that there is non flying, with the added safety that is something goes awry in one cockpit there is another pilot with full controls in the other.

This is why I pretty much stopped posting on WIX afew years ago. I am sorry I tried to be helpful.

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Rob C

Historically, the claim of consensus has been the first refuge of scoundrels; it is a way to avoid debate by claiming that the matter is already settled. “

– Michael Crichton