WIX Warbird Awards?

[mjanovec]

Seeing the recent posts about the Oshkosh Warbird Awards, perhaps we should vote on best warbirds here on the group. Being somewhat new to the group, you'll have to forgive me if this has already been done in the past. I'd be curious to see what the group's opinion is of the best restored (and/or most authentic) warbirds in the following groups (preferably flying examples):

Best P-51
Best B-17
Best B-25
Best P-40
Best P-38
Best P-47
Best Corsair
Best Wildcat
Best Hellcat
Best Avenger
Best A-26
Best Spitfire
Best Hurricane
Best Axis fighter
Best Axis bomber
Best Japanese aircraft (fighter or bomber)
Best Russian aircraft (fighter or bomber)
Best rare fighter (not already covered above)
Best rare bomber (not already covered above)
Best rare divebomber/torpedo plane
Best 1-2 engine transport aircraft (open class)
Best 3 (or more) engine transport aircraft (open class)
Best liason aircraft (open class)
Best trainer (single engine)
Best trainer (multi engine)
Best F-86
Best Mig 15
Best jet warbird (open class)
Best one-of-a-kind survivor (flying)

We could tackle one at a time or all at once. Anyone wanna play?

Mark

[Scott Rose]

Heh, sounds interesting. I'm looking forward to seeing the responses

[Ollie]

Good idea!

We could also have categories for the Wixers who own Warbirds, eh!

Can't think of no one in particular...

[srpatterson]

OK, I'll play.

In the catagory of best Wildcat the OSH judges got it right in awarding the honor to Steve Craig of Lawrence, KS. Steve's Wildcat was recovered from Lake Michigan and was restored after what can only be described as a state of hybernation. Hell, they flew with the original battery for the first six months after restoration. One of the tires still had air! The story of this plane and it's return to flight is truly amazing.

If you want to know what an F4F-3 is supposed to look like, look no further than this.

[Dave D]

Yeah, I have to agree on Steve Craig's Wildcat too. That is one sweet looking little bird. I guess I am not to picky though. I would have taken any of the four down at Oshkosh this year . As for the list to vote on I think that this is a great idea too. However, I am going to have to really sit down and take a while think hard and type the list out.

Dave D.

[mrhenniger]

Seeing the recent posts about the Oshkosh Warbird Awards, perhaps we should vote on best warbirds here on the group. Being somewhat new to the group, you'll have to forgive me if this has already been done in the past. I'd be curious to see what the group's opinion is of the best restored (and/or most authentic) warbirds in the following groups (preferably flying examples):

This is a good idea... but perhaps we should do a poll after the airshow seasons in the norhtern and southern hemispheres. We could do "best" voting on the various types, but not just based on the Oshkosh show, but all shows of the season.

Just a thought?

Mike

[C170BDan]

Hey... I'll get in on this one. And I am going mainly on the aircraft I have seen in person.

Best P51 - hands down Cripes A Mighty (4th) restored by Midwest Aero
Best B25 - Betty's Dream
Best P40 - Fighter Factory's (Banta's looks good from the pictures and came from the same restoration shop)
Best P38 - well duh... Glacier Girl!
Best P47 - Hun Hunter

That is about all I am going to list at this point!