Warbird Information Exchange

Hello again: This time, I thought you might like to see something other than T-6s (I can't imagine why, but...who knows!?)

cheers
Doug

Sweet, anymore by chance??

Lynn

When you get to be my age, the eyes are the SECOND thing to go, BUT...
That looks a lot like Bill Greenwood inthe front seat of that Spit.

Mudge the elderly

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Land of the free because of the brave

Thanks for those! Would you have any more of the various racers by any chance?

Doug, the black Mustang says Su Su II, but it sure looks like Habu from Tired Iron Racing Team, even seems to have shorter wing tips. I think Boomer was Max Hoffmans.

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

Actually I believe it says "Ge Ge II", which did indeed become "Habu".

PS - Bill, I've been a Phoenix area resident since the late '70s and have some really fond memories of your Spit when it was owned by the Woods family. My Dad had an airplane based at Deer Valley Airport and we lived nearby so I got to see the Spit pretty regularly for a number of years. A life long love affair with Spitfires has been the result of growing up near TE308. Sure glad to see you've taken good care of it and kept it where it belongs all these years.

I think that the Jeannie photo is from 1980. The bottom of the plane still hasn't been polished up from the belly landing the week before at VNY.

Mudge, your eyes are good, that is me in TE 308, as Earl wore a military style helment when he flew it. I can't identify the person in the rear cockpit. I will later make a guess at the location. The date has to be in the 80's as the paint scheme is the older one with Woodies initials instead of RJM. The race photos are likely at Reno and have to be pre 83 when sadly Earl was lost in Habu. I had several flights with him in Habu and remember the black paint with the checkerboard and the red leather interior. Aviation gives us a lot, but it can sure take away too.

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

Hi all. Sorry for the slow response. Not only have I not been able to access the forum since Saturday (I got a blank screen), but I have been out of town for a couple of days.

Basically, what I have in terms of data on these photos is what is contained in the file name or caption. Sometimes Bill's notes were copious, othertimes none at all. However, I do have more material and will continue to post it as I get it scanned.

What I find interesting is the fact that I have so far posted photos that show a couple of members of the forum in the days of more and darker hair!

cheers
Doug

Chad, thanks for your kind words about the Spitfire. I do try to take care of it and realize it is a part of history and we serve as custodians as much as owners. It takes a lot of money and patience, and any help is always welcome. Money or volunteer labor is most welcome, but even a word of appreciation is helpful. Many times I've received a ride to lunch or some small courtesy as I go cross country. When Earl flew my plane out of Carefree in 1983, Deer Valley was the first landing. Spits weren't too common then, and we didn't know that much about it's operation. I was overhead in my Mooney when Earl touched down and rolled out straight and it was a great sight. Wish he could be here for one more
flight, one more airshow week. After the Spitfire reunion, I got to ferry Bernie Jackson's Mk XVI to Deer Valley.

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

Small world Bill, I probably saw you bring the Spit into Deer Valley. I happened to be working right across the street at that time. I think the Spit flew nearly every day for what must have been two weeks. Needless to say, I spent more time outside looking up than I did inside working! A friend and I walked across the street after work one day to shoot some pictures of the Spit and arrived just in time to help the pilot (Bernie Jackson's nephew I think, an ex-CAF Hornet pilot) push the airplane into the hangar. I got to sit in the Spit for a few minutes that day, a memory I will cherish. I was saddened to hear of the loss of the airplane and pilot only a year or two later. Interestingly, I happened to be doing a job up in Carefree, as I recall it was the Monday after the Spitfire reunion, and caught a glimpse of your Spit headed home. I'll stop rambling now!

Chad I tried to give a reply, but it may have gone to you as PM. A Spitfire is a lot easier to fly than a computer!

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

Doug, I have tried to place the first photo of the Spitfire and I am just not sure. It could be Madera or Minter Field in Califonia. I see a P-40 behind me. might be Tiger's. I see a hill, not really a mountain in the distance. I know it is 80's by the paint job and my light colored flight suit. It was cooler in really hot weather and I was happy until Jay Cullum told me I looked like Otto The Orkin Man in it. Do you have any info on where or when that photo is? Thanks

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

Sorry, Bill (and everybody else!). I thought I was being very clever by putting 'where and when and what' (if I have that info) within the filename that would appear when you downloaded the photo. It never occurred to me that not everyone would want to download the photos!

The Spit is at Madera in 1984. The other three are lacking location, but the dates are: P-51 '69' fall 1980, P-51s '04' and '66' fall of 1978 and the Red Fury is from the fall of 1987.

Sorry about the confusion. I'll try to do better!

cheers
Doug

Doug, thanks for the info update. My guess of Madera was right, so maybe I am not getting completely senile yet after all. Lot's of memories in those shots, some wonderful and some really painful. That was my first time out there and my eyes were open pretty wide. All the good old boys aren't exclusive to the South! Hanging around with Tiger, Fred, LLoyd, Getch, Chino guys, was prime, wish they were all here. I need to get back again.

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK