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This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
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P-61

Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:31 pm

I've got a bunch of photos of this P-61 taken in 1990 when I was there trying to purchase the plane for Evergreen's collection. I've also got some photos taken by a friend in the mid to late 1980s. It might be interesting to compare them to the detailed images that BDK took on his last trip over there. The plane actually looks a bit better than when I last saw it but that's probably due to the coat of black paint they put on it in the last few years. Beijing's air pollution is some of the worst I've ever seen. They burn huge amounts of soft coal that probably turns the rain into a mild acid bath. I'm surprised the plane is not a pile of corrosion by now.

Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:54 am

If there ever was a plane begging for the Paul Allen treatment, this is the one. Surely the FHC has at least contemplated the possibility of gathering this one up for the collection.

I recall that China wanted a cool million for this rust bucket many years ago. Any idea whether they are still interested in parting with it?

Sun Apr 27, 2008 4:32 am

Great pics there, such a shame to see it wasted in a nation like China, leaving it out in the open, they obviously don't give much of a sugar about it.
A shame the US govt can't get it released through a deal or somethung.
Would be great to see some of Mr Allen's "can-do" go towards this P61

Re: Beijing P-61 photos. High bandwidth, now 20% shinier format!

Mon Jan 16, 2012 3:09 pm

This bird needs to come home.

Re: Beijing P-61 photos. High bandwidth, now 20% shinier format!

Mon Jan 16, 2012 6:33 pm

The U.S. could get it back as well as the P-47 next to it, if they wanted to! If we wanted to, good luck. Truely a shame that they are just sitting there languishing in the open with what looks like minimal attention. :drinkers:

Re:

Mon Jan 16, 2012 6:35 pm

Rob Mears wrote:If there ever was a plane begging for the Paul Allen treatment, this is the one. Surely the FHC has at least contemplated the possibility of gathering this one up for the collection.

I recall that China wanted a cool million for this rust bucket many years ago. Any idea whether they are still interested in parting with it?


Give it time. With as much of the U.S. being bought up by China, one day they'll ship it here to show what once the U.S. was capable of manufacturing!

Re: Beijing P-61 photos. High bandwidth, now 20% shinier format!

Mon Jan 16, 2012 6:59 pm

didn,t i read on here some where that Paul Allen purchased this plane?

Re: Beijing P-61 photos. High bandwidth, now 20% shinier format!

Mon Jan 16, 2012 9:17 pm

cooper9411 wrote:The U.S. could get it back as well as the P-47 next to it, if they wanted to! If we wanted to, good luck. Truely a shame that they are just sitting there languishing in the open with what looks like minimal attention. :drinkers:



Not limited to China I am afraid-plenty of historical machines suffering the same problems in the US and elsewhere.

Some time ago all the aircraft at the Tech Institute were moved, I believe for a major overhaul of the display area, so conditions may well improve.
Don't forget these aircraft are still around because of the Chinese.

Dave

Re: Beijing P-61 photos. High bandwidth, now 20% shinier format!

Mon Jan 16, 2012 10:28 pm

DaveM2 wrote:
cooper9411 wrote:The U.S. could get it back as well as the P-47 next to it, if they wanted to! If we wanted to, good luck. Truely a shame that they are just sitting there languishing in the open with what looks like minimal attention. :drinkers:



Not limited to China I am afraid-plenty of historical machines suffering the same problems in the US and elsewhere.

Some time ago all the aircraft at the Tech Institute were moved, I believe for a major overhaul of the display area, so conditions may well improve.
Don't forget these aircraft are still around because of the Chinese.

Dave


Dave, thank you for the correction. I would most certainly agree that it is happening many places and I should have rephrased my statement.
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