Warbird Information Exchange

Hi All,

It appears I was mistaken about the paint scheme of Dean's plane. Here she is in all her glory, about to be represented as something she isn't, nor ever was. Please notice how there is no mention of my Uncle or HIS sacrifice in this plane!

http://www.cebudanderson.com/jackroushp51b.htm

Karen

_________________
"All right, they're on our left, they're on our right, they're in front of
us, they're behind us...they can't get away this time"
- Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, USMC

Good lookin' restoration, either way.

Think what you will, but I say it's better that way and flying than rusting away at the bottom of a lake in Florida.

Hi Randy,

I respect your opinion, and understand your point of view, but here in lies the rub..........

As a lover of all things that remember and honor our veterans, and celebrate the glorious victories they achieved, I agree it is better to see this plane fly then sit at the bottom of a lake.

However, as the family member of one of those brave young men who gave their lives, I still have very strong feelings about the fate of this plane.

As I have said on many opccasions, this plane is the property of Jack Roush and he is free to do with it as he chooses.

I have to say though, seeing Col. Anderson sitting in the cockpit of Dean's plane, knowing that this plane will honor his brave and valient service in the war, and not Dean's, caused me to experience a much different reaction in myself, then I would have hoped for. To be brutally honest....... I was very very angry! I would have liked to believe that I am a big enough person to rejoice in the celebration of any pilot's service, but apparently I am not. I was also heartbroken.

I have been to Col. Anderson's website, and it is a wonderful example of honor given to fallen comrades. Why not Dean? Is it because he was just a "Recon" pilot? The man flew 91 missions and was awarded the DFC!

I believe that Col. Anderson is a very brave and honorable man. I HAVE to believe he does not know the true origins of this plane. He has been honored in so many ways, and I think it goes without saying that he has all of our thanks and respect for all that he has done for our Country. Why would he not want Dean's memory honored? I guess more than anything, I am struggling to understand "why?"

I am not asking that this plane be left in its 1944 paint scheme. I know that is very unlikely. However, all I truly wish to see is some kind of footnote to this plane displayed with her, that recognizes the fact that not only did Dean die in this plane, but that he was a very gifted young pilot in his own right.. who answered his Country's call as so very many other young "unknown" heroes did!

Karen

_________________
"All right, they're on our left, they're on our right, they're in front of
us, they're behind us...they can't get away this time"
- Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, USMC

You all must remember that this airplane has nothing from the original except for the serial number that's on the paperwork and that's all they really were interested in. It's a recreation, not a restoration so it's not really Dean's plane. Karen, you propbably have more of the arplane than anyone else.
Also, if I'm not mistaken, it is now to be painted has Bud Anderson's P-51B "Old Crow" not England's a/c. Will this be the 3rd or 4th "old Crow" P-51? This may answer one of your questions, Karen. But send Jim Anderson a email of their site and ask your question. Remember, it never hurts to ask!

_________________
Don't touch my junk!!

I was about to post the same question. The photos do not show restored parts being used in this "restoration". I do not believe any original parts are being used. It begs the question: what is the disposition of the original metal?
Thx,
Vlado

B-B-But I read different on the internet, bottom of the page...
www.swissmustangs.ch/72468.html

_________________
He bowls overhand...He is the most interesting man in the world.
"In Peace Japan Breeds War", Eckstein, Harper and Bros., 3rd ed. 1943(1927, 1928,1942)
"Leave it to ol' Slim. I got ideas...and they're all vile, baby." South Dakota Slim
"Ahh..."The Deuce", 28,000 pounds of motherly love." quote from some Mojave Grunt
DBF

I too, would like to know what was done with the parts that were purchased. What originally drew me to the WIX was my outrage over the fact that the pieces of Deans plane were being hawked on Ebay. I don't know if the radiator was actually sold or not. I was not able to find out for sure.

Jack is correct. Not much if any of the original is being or was used. This again was something I wanted to correct by offering the original rudder pedal to be incorporated into this plane. The picture below shows a good deal of what was recovered.



For me it is not a matter of how much of the plane is recreated, restored, replaced, or any other terminology that fits. Whether the entire frame was used, or just a nut or a bolt. For me, it is not the material of this plane that matters, it is her heart........or her essence........or her spirit.

To someone who loves Warbirds, that has no emotional ties to this planes history, this is going to be a beautiful bird that will be a wonderous sight to behold....... and that is not a bad thing.

But for me and my Dad it is going to be a painful reminder of the young man who gave his life for his Country, but whose sacrifice was not worthy of mention by those who recreated her. I was just starting to come to terms with the idea of this plane honoring another fallen soldier, and now to learn that she is going to be yet another representation of Old Crow, is very hard, and painful for me to understand or accept.

You all make good rational statements and I adore you for trying to make me feel better, but this is going to be a tough one to get used to.

Karen

_________________
"All right, they're on our left, they're on our right, they're in front of
us, they're behind us...they can't get away this time"
- Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, USMC

From the looks of it, I would guess less than 1% of it (if that much) was the plane Dean flew. Probably just a data plate.

Regards,
Mike

Hi Karen,

Here's my thought on it, and I think it might be a different take based on the circumstances.

My 21 year old son and 15 year old daughter were killed in a car crash last August. It was Drew's one and only car. It carried his markings and 'nose art' if you want to call it that. And it was his pride and joy.

If someone wanted to take the wreckage of Drew's car and rebuild it, it wouldn't matter what they did with it as it won't bring Drew and his sister back to us.

At the same time anytime I happen to see a car like the one he drove, regardless of the paint or markings, I'm reminded and it hurts all over again.

My point is, that regardless as to whether that plane is marked as Dean's or not, it won't bring him back, BUT...it will be a reminder of all the young men who lost their lives flying those planes.

You are proof, along with many of us here, that Dean will never be forgotten. That's a wonderful thing I think. The plane is just a machine. Dean is what mattered and he will be remembered, and that is what counts.

Dan

Dan,

Your perspective gives me a whole new perspective. Thank you my friend! God bless you always!

Karen

_________________
"All right, they're on our left, they're on our right, they're in front of
us, they're behind us...they can't get away this time"
- Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, USMC

Karen

I’ve seem several aircraft at airshows that have plaques that are setup next to the plane describing the history of the airframe and anything noteworthy about it and the current paint scheme if it is different than it “war time” history. I think this might be a great avenue to skillfully and tactfully peruse with this a/c owner. I would say that you could try to supply a write up on your Uncle with a photo of him and a historical photo of the aircraft (which was posted here before) to the owner. Something like that on display next to the plane at an airshow will make a real impression on all who view the aircraft and read the plaque. I think that could be a great comprise on the paint job but it would also more clearly high light the sacrifice of your Uncle and all the other aircrew that lost their life stateside.

I know when I see that aircraft in a few upcoming shows, including the one at Reading PA, Your Uncle Dean is what I will be thinking about when I see it. Thanks to you, you have brought that part of the a/c history too all out attention. I hope that you still will be able to think about your Uncle when you view that airframe and think of the young man who lost his life for this country.

Tim

_________________
www.tailhookstudio.com

Thank you Tim!!

That is exactly what I would like to see happen. I do not think a plaque, or storyboard is an unreasonable request.

I think I may have misunderstood you.....otherwise my travel plans are going to change quickly!......... Dean's plane isn't scheduled to be in Reading this year is she? I know Col. Anderson will be there, but I had not heard the plane was that far along?

Thank you again for your kind words, and you are correct, it will ALWAYS be Dean's plane in our hearts!

Karen

_________________
"All right, they're on our left, they're on our right, they're in front of
us, they're behind us...they can't get away this time"
- Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, USMC

Karen
Yes that is the the P-51B that is noted as coming on the Mid Atlantic's WW2 Weekend.

I hope that it takes to the air soon and can make the show, I don't want to have to wait until August to see it at Michigan.

Tim

_________________
www.tailhookstudio.com

Oh Crap!

My husband is returning from serving in the Middle East with the Air Force in a few weeks, my kids get out of school on June 1st, and we are scheduled to go on vacation in Williamsburg on June 4th! I swore when that plane was finished I would get Daddy there no matter what! Now all I have to do is figure out how!

I wrote to Colonel Anderson's son, and politely explained our feelings, and my wish for some kind of small remembrance of Dean to be displayed with the plane, but he has not returned my emails. I suspect we will not be able to get very close to her if we do go, but it would be nice to see her in person. What will be will be, I guess!

Thanks Tim!

Karen

_________________
"All right, they're on our left, they're on our right, they're in front of
us, they're behind us...they can't get away this time"
- Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, USMC

It won't be there. It may not even make OSH/Thunder.