Warbird Information Exchange

Just thought I'd add a post here about Dad and what happened that day. This doesn't in any way excuse his responsibility to do what a Pilot-In-Command must do to preflight his aircraft, but it might help understand why this happened to such a usually conscientious pilot. There has been a lot of controversy around the legality of his flight and this also helps address that.

The day of the accident Dad was supposed to fly the green P-38 owned by the Tillamook museum. This is the one that was registered under the Experimental category and was therefore legal for Dad to fly. Each pilot preflighted his respective P-38 and even had them started and idling. About that time someon suggested to Dad that he fly the silver P-38 instead (own by the Pruitts). At this point all preflighting was complete and they were nearly ready to taxi it. Of course, being a Limited class of aircraft Dad wasn't legal to fly it and even if he was should have spun it down and re-preflighted the aircraft.

In the exuberance of the moment, however, Dad just swapped planes and off they flew. Perhaps both aircraft had the same fuel levels, perhaps not, we'll never know. He made a poor judgement call to swap planes right before the flight and it cost him his life.

In the same setting, however, I can't think I would have done much differently.

David

Thanks for that info David. I know it still must be hard for you and your family.
Jerry

_________________
"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

I knew your dad back in the 80s and 90s. We had the Association of Living History group---"You bring the plane--we'll bring you the crew".
We met up with Jeff at dozens of shows in the States and Canada. I am humbled to remember that he knew my name and always came over to chat us up.

At one Dayton show we were having a cookout at aviation photographer Dan Patterson's house and Jeff was there. We had just done our second photo essay for Dan--"The Lady" (B-17) and "The Soldier" (B-24) and Dan was casting around for a new subject. I had suggested PT Boats....all our group had acquired correct wartime navy deck gear. Dan turns to Jeff, laughing, and says,"So these guys want me to do my next book on PT Boats..." Jeff looked at Dan and said, "That's a great idea, Dan. Pt Boats are the P-51s of the navy. You shoot it and I'll write it."

Unfortunately we never did that PT Boat essay. But Jeff requested us to work with him on his P-47 video. We shot that down in Indiana with Tar Heel Hal.

I remember when we heard about his loss. We were at a show in Michigan having dinner in one of the big hangar. Someone came through the doors and told one person up front and word passed back through the hundreds of performers like wind blowing through a field of wheat.

He was a good friend.

Dave Berry

I was there in Louisville during the filming, when Charles Osborn owned Tarheel Hal. I lived there at the time and drove across the river to see the filming. I remember your whole crew out there all suited up for the Young Pilots portion. Fond memories.

David