Putt Putt has left the building

Sat Apr 22, 2006 10:22 pm

Hey folks= Showed up at LSFM today for my regular Saturday Volunteer work and discovered Steve Hinton was there and the P38 was scheduled to be flown to its new home in Fl. After a late morning test flight and the repair of a few minor Squawks he departed Galveston at about 3:00 and headed North East. By the time you read this she should be at her new home.

While she will sure be missed it was good to finally see and hear her in the air after all of these years. I hope that she will become a regular flier in her new home.

Steve S

Sun Apr 23, 2006 9:08 am

The P-38 has been my favorite warbird since early grade school so it's REALLY great to hear that "Putt Putt Maru" is now back in the air!

Dennis

Sun Apr 23, 2006 10:23 am

Great to see it's back in the air again

Bill Ross would have been happy to see it left in the air and not in a truck

Sun Apr 23, 2006 10:28 am

Steve, no reason it should have left in a truck. The aircraft has been pampered and maintained in better shape than when it was acquired. The only mishap it ever had while in the care of Lone Star was the ground accident when it hit Speedy and the Cushnman. That damage was immediately repaired and Mr. Waltrip decided not to fly it anymore. It was capable but apparently, he didn't want to risk it.

Too bad they couldn't have delayed the departure by one week and had it for Lone Star's show one more time.

Sun Apr 23, 2006 11:07 am

Where is Putt Putt going to be based out of?

Sun Apr 23, 2006 11:27 am

Some where in Florida, possibly at Stallion 51 (although not owned by them)

Sun Apr 23, 2006 3:50 pm

Not meaning it wasn't maintained, only that it was on the ground. I can't wait to see it fly again. I last saw it in the early 70's and had my first and only P-38 ride in her. It's just good to see. SO WHERE ARE THE PHOTOS

Steve

Mon Apr 24, 2006 7:37 am

This thread is useless with no pictures! :wink:

Great news. Is Steve H. the only person who is qualified to fly the P-38s? I understand why someone would want him to fly their bird but it just seems like he is the only one flying the P-38s right now.
Tim

Mon Apr 24, 2006 8:42 am

TimApNy wrote:

Is Steve H. the only person who is qualified to fly the P-38s? I understand why someone would want him to fly their bird but it just seems like he is the only one flying the P-38s right now.
Tim

Ray Dieckman and Kevin Eldridge fly Planes of Fame's "Porky II"

Dennis

Mon Apr 24, 2006 10:49 am

There are some other pilots who are competent in the P-38.

Here are some pictures taken this morning as the engines were being run for taxi tests by the new owner.

Mon Apr 24, 2006 11:31 am

Thanks Chuck, those shots give me goose bumps!

Tim