Gerry Beck P-51A Engine Runs and possible 1st public outing

[Bear]

Beautiful plane!

[N3Njeff]

Glad he made the decision to go with the metal cowling!!! A+++

[sdennison]

And the fabricator Gods smiled....Outstanding job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[John Beyl]

Congrats to Gerry and the team. What a beauty. OK, so now John, when are we going to see "Redtails" up in formation with her? Need a new update! Alan

Alan,

Here is breaking news to be seen on the web for the first time right here on the WIX board:

Last Sunday at a fund raising event sponsored by the Cirrus Owner Pilots Association (COPA),The Red Tail Project Raised $105,000 to go directly into the P-51C!!!! At the event Bendix Bailey offered a challenge to the rest of the gathering to match his donation of $50,000. By the time the event had concluded the challenge was more than met. This is great news for the project which has been hampered by a lack of funds. It puts us back on course with renewed enthusiasm and momentum. We offer our sincerest thanks and gratitude to Mr. Bailey and COPA for their understanding of this projects importance and willingness to support it in this manor. This is enough money to pay for half of the wing reconstruction. We are however still seeking funds for the other half of the wing and the remainder of the fuselage. If any of you would like to help out financially, or may know of an individual or company that would like to support this important project in such a manor, please feel free to contact me or visit our website at WWW.redtail.org.

Structurally the "Look" of the project has not changed much since the last time I sent out and update. We have however been busy installing the systems into the fuselage. I've been working on the hydraulics, Tony Pena has been pulling wires and Steve Kaminsen has finished the trim console and other detail work in the cockpit. The next major structural change will take place when we tackle the structure below the lower longerons (the aft duct assembly, mount the radiator, doghouse) and on top, finish the windscreen and canopy assembly. This could begin as soon as this summer. I don’t know how we’re doing it but we are. A smart old fart once told me, “When it seems like a task is so large that it’s beyond you, remember you can eat an elephant a teaspoon at a time!” Guess he was right! Please pass the salt and pepper!!!

John

[PatM]

That's great news John! Keep up the great work. Any chance that elephant could be eaten before Sept. '07 - Columbus OH? I've sent $100, and got my two-tone cap and rivet certificate. I'll help out some more when I have some extra dough.

-Pat-

[Steve T]

Magnificent news times two...Superb! Looking forward to someday seeing this Allison 'stang for the first time, and the much-missed Redtail again.

Congrats to Mr Beck, the SMW CAF crew, et al on all this excellent work.

S.

[airnutz]

[/quote]

HELLA GOOD!!!! What a SWEET machine!

For the 1st time in 5yrs, I'm getting the urge to volunteer

"Have Buffer, Will Travel"

[Shay]

Just thought I would through up a shot of Angie in support Gerry and his awesome accomplishment.



Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

[Alan Brooks]

Great news John. Thanks for sharing.... In Feb. at Winter Conference, I had spoke with Doug R. and a couple of others concerning Redtails. So this is great, great news.... Now, possibly, you guys can still keep your reserved time for the wing jig. Pictures whenever you get a chance..... Once, again, a big hand for Gerry and his crew! Alan

[Peashooter]

Dreamers dream, doers do. Time to get busy!

[John Beyl]

Dreamers dream, doers do. Time to get busy!

Peashooter,

So true! Here is an excerpt of and E-mail I sent to a guy earlier regarding Gerry and the lifestyle he NOW enjoys:

"....not bad for a farm boy from Eastern North Dakota who went to college and trained as an industrial arts instructor, became an ag-sprayer and wanted to own and fly warbirds. It wasn't always the milk and honey pot-o-gold lifestyle we see him living now (Which is often the case with entrepreneurs like him). He's told me stories of "the early years" when he was just getting started.....living in his first hangar and his bed was a sleeping bag. His conservative farming dad thought he had lost his mind when he didn't take over the family farm and then again a few years later when quit his job teaching at the local technical college so he could chase his dream. Gerry and Cindy have are living the life we all want to lead but are unwilling to pay the same price to have or can't muster enough courage to take the gamble. It's been said about a lot of other people a million times but I've never known this statement to hold so much water, "These are two of the very nicest, people you will ever meet." So true, they are unassuming, expect nothing from you but an honest effort and give freely of themselves. An inspiring story for sure.

Alan,

It will be a while yet before we can get the wing to Oders shop. How long? Another hundred thousand dollars long. It really depends on how long it takes to raise that money. I know at this point Bob has a 3-4 year waiting list and we are currently on it...towards the bottom. Fear not though, if we had the money in hand I'm certain arrangements could be made to move us up on the list.

John