Warbird Information Exchange

FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT
A P-51 Mustang rests on the flightline during the 2017 Heritage Flight Training and Certification Course at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Feb. 10, 2017. Established in 1997, the HFTCC certifies civilian pilots of historic military aircraft and U.S. Air Force pilots to fly in formation together during the upcoming air show season. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ashley N. Steffen)

A U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II flies above spectators during the 2017 Heritage Flight Training and Certification Course at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Feb. 9, 2017. The HFTCC provides civilian and military pilots the opportunity to practice flying in formation together in preparation for future air shows. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ashley N. Steffen)

A U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon and a P-51 Mustang fly in formation during the 2017 Heritage Flight Training and Certification Course at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Feb. 10, 2017. The annual aerial demonstration training event has been held at D-M since 2001, the course featured aerial demonstrations from historical and modern fighter aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mya M. Crosby)

A P-51 Mustang taxis down the flight line during the 2017 Heritage Flight Training and Certification Course at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Feb. 10, 2017. The modern aircraft that participated in this year's HFTCC were the F-35 Lightning II, the F-22 Raptor, the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the A-10C Thunderbolt II. The historic aircraft included the P-51 and T-51 Mustang, the P-40 Warhawk, the P-38 Lightning, the P-47 Thunderbolt, the T-33 Shooting Star and the F-86 Sabre. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Giovanni Sims)

An F-86 Sabre takes off during the 2017 Heritage Flight Training and Certification Course at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Feb. 10, 2017. The first production model of the F-86 flew in 1948 and supported the Strategic Air Command from 1949 to 1950. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Chris Drzazgowski)

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor, a F-35 Lightning II and two F-86 Sabre's fly in formation during the 2017 Heritage Flight Training and Certification Course at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Feb. 12, 2017. The HFTCC provides civilian and military pilots the opportunity to practice flying in formation together in preparation for future air shows. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Betty R. Chevalier)

Two F-86 Sabres perform a fly over during the 2017 Heritage Flight Training and Certification Course at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Ariz., Feb 12, 2017. During the course, aircrews practice ground and flight training to enable civilian pilots of historic military aircraft and U.S. Air Force pilots of current fighter aircraft to fly safely in formations together. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Giovanni Sims)

A P-51 Mustang sits on the flight line during the 2017 Heritage Flight Training and Certification Course at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Feb. 12, 2017. The annual aerial demonstration training event has been held at D-M since 2001. The modern aircraft that participated in this year’s HFTCC were the F-35 Lightning II, the F-22 Raptor, F-16 Fighting Falcon and the A-10C Thunderbolt II. The historic aircraft included the P-51 and T-51 Mustangs, the P-40 Warhawk, the P-38 Lightning, the P-47 Thunderbolt, the T-33 Shooting Star and the F-86 Sabre. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Betty R. Chevalier)

A P-51 Mustang rests on the flight line during the 2017 Heritage Flight Training and Certification Course at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Ariz., Feb 12, 2017. The modern aircraft that participated in this year's HFTCC were the F-35 Lightning II, the F-22 Raptor, the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the A-10C Thunderbolt II. The historic aircraft included the P-51 and T-51 Mustang, the P-40 Warhawk, the P-38 Lightning, the P-47 Thunderbolt, the T-33 Shooting Star and the F-86 Sabre. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Giovanni Sims)

A P-47 Thunderbolt taxis down the flight line during the 2017 Heritage Flight Training and Certification Course at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Ariz., Feb. 12, 2017. During the course, aircrews practice ground and flight training to enable civilian pilots of historic military aircraft and U.S. Air Force pilots of current fighter aircraft to fly safely in formations together. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Giovanni Sims)

A P-38 lightning taxies on the flight line during the 2017 Heritage Flight Training and Certification Course at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Feb. 12, 2017. The HFTCC provides civilian and military pilots the opportunity to practice flying in formation together in preparation for future air shows. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Nathan H. Barbour)

_________________
When I was young "sex was safe & flying was dangerous".

Polished Sabres and Mustangs, oh my! The Mustang with national insignia only, is my favorite.

In other photos/videos I've seen posted online, it is neat to see the former stablemates "Frenesi" and "Bald Eagle" parked next to each other on the flightline - first time they've been back together again since at least '09 I think (though "Frenesi" wasn't assembled at that time). It is great to see that the Friekdin P-40M also made it, having been out of commission at Chino for much of last year following the Planes of Fame airshow.

Unfortunately the P-40 sat out much, if not most, of the Heritage Flight training with some sort of mechanical issue. I attended the event with my brother in law who works at DM and he said the P-40 flew on Friday but went unserviceable at some point. I was there on Saturday and did not see it fly, nor did I think it participated on Sunday. Bummer! I have now seen the airplane at two Heritage Flight training events as well as at Chino and still have yet to see it fly. Maybe Chino this year? Fingers crossed as it is a stunning airplane. (I do think that the red paint is a little bit too subdued but that is a VERY minor gripe on my part!) It was a real treat to see "Frenesi" which is another stunner for the Friedkin stable of warbirds.