Quick P-38 Update N79123

[Mike]

FAA register shows this with FHC. Obviously this is outdated. Where has the aircraft been since?

Via Stephen Grey to Ron Fagen.

[Lynn Allen]

Is this the same P-38 that was in the EAA Museum at in Oskosh in '99? Seems like every surviving P-38 has been painted as Bong's mount at some point in its life.

SN

That one came form Connie Edwards many years ago...

Lynn

[mustangdriver]

The P-38 in the EAA Museum is still there, and will more than likely stay there. As it is an anchor in the museum. She is sharp.

[RMAllnutt]

I am sure this has been asked before:
What is the status of P-38 44-26969 / N7973 ?
Is the wreckage stored or being rebuilt?
Thx again!

I had been told that she was chopped up into small pieces to recover her from the accident site, but that she was being rebuilt to static condition. I seem to remember that it had something to do with the P-38 Aces Association, but don't quote me on that.

All the best,
Richard

[Warbirdnerd]

Thanks for the Pictures and updates Erik!
I'll have to road trip west one of these days... Well maybe when we start seeing daytime high temps above zero...

The latest EAA WoA mag talks about a P-39 you have waiting in the wings.. Can you tell us more about it? Do you know it's serial number?
Thanks again Erik...

[ehokuf]

Another update.

Bonus parts! The bag of dog food came out of the right intercooler. This was just a little sample. Obviously a mouse found himself a nice warm place to make a nest. Maybe a little to warm! The brush came out of the right main fuel tank. Not sure where the bone came from?! We also pulled lbs of hardware from various nooks and crannies.


Test unit for setting up the coolant temp. control valves according the book. Worked great!


Cockpit is shaping up! No more electrical tape on the throttle knobs and hand painted placards. The cockpit will be detailed, with the rest of the airplane made safe/correct and not necessarily perfectly stock. We have removed the non-functioning Tallichet electric backup hydraulic system and went back to the stock system.

Control sytems are done after replacing all bearings and pulleys in flight control sytem. About 90% of the pulleys and bearings where frozen, fortunately only a couple control cables had to be replaced. Hydraulics are 90% percent finished after overhauling all components. Almost everything leaked and almost all O-rings where either original and broken into several pieces or in very poor condition (square). All components have been bench tested by the book before reinstalling.
Working on wiring right now, all Tallichet wiring has been removed and we are going back to stock system and wiring. What a mess!

The airplane will be painted as "Ruff Stuff". See you at OSH!

[Jesse C.]

Yup! Nothing like ending up with extra parts when you are working on something! Maybe the bone was an old Voodoo field repair?

Thanks for the update, she is looking fine!

[steve dickey]

Can someone provide some info on the new paint scheme. Don't know if I've seen it before? What group, theater of operation? Anyone have a photo or sketch of this bird? Thanks

[krlang]

Working on wiring right now, all Tallichet wiring has been removed and we are going back to stock system and wiring. What a mess!

The airplane will be painted as "Ruff Stuff". See you at OSH!

Thats funny, as I was reading the thread I was wondering if it was the Tallichet airplane. I had heard 15 or so years ago about how it was loaded with automotive wiring to make it flyable.

Great job! Good luck!

Nice name too!

[Lightning]

Howdy Warhawk1

RUFF STUFF rings a bell !

I do know know of a 80 FS/8th FG/ 5th AF Veteran , who's P-38 mount had this name painted on ( early model P-38 )
If Im correct, his name was Norbert Ruff ( corresponded with him a couple of years back )
There is a picture of his P-38 in the 8th FG book ( Schiffer Publishing )
The book was put together by John Stanaway and Lawrence Hickey.

Norbert's P-38 was Olive Drab with the painted Name RUFF STUFF in Yellow.

Get Em Flying

Lightning

[ehokuf]

Think we'll make it? First start Friday June 29 7:30PM

[Dan K]

Of course you'll make it. Failure is not an option.

First round on me at the WIX party.

[JohnTerrell]

Looking good Erik! I saw you and the P-40K last year at Oshkosh and looking forward to possibly seeing the P-38 this summer. Any chance she'll be at the Wings of the North air show at Flying Cloud?

[Lightning]

Howdy Erik

Could you please PMS me

Its in regards to P-40 Parts

Thanks

Lightning

[ehokuf]

She Flies! First flight after rebuild July 12 1:00 PM with Kevin Eldridge at the controls.