Warbird Information Exchange

So, after so many years of reading about this place, I finally made it there today!

Weather was awful, but the people at Ezell Aviation were superb! They took time from their work, to share with me some insight about the restoration work they conduct.

I had the pleasure to meet WIXer Steve Dickey and he was busy working on the right boom of the P-38 formerly known as White Lightning.

David Saks and Bryan Chisholm, thank you guys, and also to everyone else for making me feel welcome there!

The quality of the restoration work is -of course- great, and this outfit is so deserving of the high reputation that they enjoy in the business.













Present also, undergoing restoration, was a Vought F4U-4, and it looks really good. At the request of the guys at Breckenridge, and following on the Corsair owner's request, I will not post the photos that I shot today.

This last photo, was shot at the Eastland Municipal Airport:

The Ezell's are some of the nicest people you will find anywhere! They have just posted another update on the web for the P-38. So, Lou Shaw's P-51 was in the hanger, the Thunder Mustang, and the xPardue F4U-4..... Did you go to Howards' hangers back by Bill Arnots' old hanger.... Howard usually keeps the Bearcat, Wildcat, and Sea Fury back there....... Then on top of all of that, is the spare Corsair parts hanging from the walls and on racks all around the hangers. Then, in the old Bill Arnot hanger is where the Tempest is stored and another -4 Corsair awaiting its turn in the restoration process....... then there is another F8F waiting its turn to be jigged up and properly aligned....... and also Howard's Staggerwing......... well you get the picture....... Glad you had a good time....... Alan
http://www.ezellaviation.com/index.htm

Any idea who the L-bird in the T-hangar belongs to? It's been sitting out there ever since the old airshow days well over a decade ago. Looks like it's been sitting idle.

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Rob Mears
'Surviving Corsairs' Historian
robcmears@yahoo.com
http://www.robmears.com

Alan,

Which other Bearcat?

Jim

It used to be orange with white trim lines.... from Kahleeeefornia.......

Alan, I couldn't agree with you more. The Ezell's were extremely nice to me when I visited a couple of months ago. They gave me a great deal of time and consideration, and I really enjoyed meeting them. The work that they do is superlative as well. Can't wait to see the P-38 fly!

With regards to the L-bird, I seem to remember seeing one in Howard's hangar when I was there, perhaps it's the same one. I seem to remember that it is flown by Howard's wife, but I may be mis-remembering. It was a very nice example though.

Thanks for posting the photos Tulio, sounds like you had a lot of fun!

Cheers,
Richard

Thank you, guys.

I wish now, that I have had more time to go and see the other hangars, but as it was, I still had the long drive back to Houston ahead of me.

One thing that I did not mention, but that was very much in evidence at the Ezell place, was pride.

Pride in a good quality job, pride in their technical skills, knowledge and ability. Re-doing a line of riveting so that the gap between aluminum skins would be to their standards . . . and you should listen to David Saks when he talks about the work he has done on the Corsair! His enthusiasm and hard work are not only patent, but are there for all to see, with such amount of re-building being done.

All in all, it was not only a pleasure, but also a privilege to have been able to meet these guys and to see them hard at work.

Saludos,


Tulio

God I miss that show...had so many great adventures down there, so many great shows.....so many memories....Long Live Breckenridge...

Mark

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Mark Morris

Amen to all the nice words about the Ezells.
When i worked in Texas I had the pleasure of doing a pair of TV news features on them and their work in general and the Seafire in particular.

The whole family is great....their dogs even go to work in the hangar.

Nelson is an unsung hero of the warbird movement...and one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet!!!!

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.