P- 40s in the 1970s

[Neal Nurmi]

Actually, I guess John wanted it known as Sneak Attack, but everybody I knew called it Sue. I always thought the call letters (or whatever the proper name might be) were a very nice tribute to John's wife Sue. She's a great lady, and a tough one who gets things done. Seems like she was always a strong supporter of John's Warbird activities, and I suspect Warbird history might be different if she'd been any different.

[Lon Moer]

I've always been seriously irritated with myself because I never, to my knowledge, got a good color shot of the other side. I remember thinking about it, but it always seemed to be on the shadow side of the airplane, or in front of an unattractive cluttered background, or something. I guess the lesson is to always take the shot as is, and hope a better opportunity comes along at the next air show. Then at least you have something...

I know I have slides of it, I just need to get to digitizing them.

Remember all those late late nights at the NAG meetings watching slides?

[T J Johansen]

The Kittyhawk is still a regular flyer too. It won't be too long before it'll reach 50 years in the care of the Paul family. Outside of Chino, there are not very many privately owned Warbirds with that kind of record.

According to Geoff Goodall's warbird directory John Paul bought P-40E N94466 in June of 1966, and the guy he bought it from is also in the same bracket of long, continuous ownership. George Perez had the P-40E for about a year prior to JP, and he is of course more known for his ownership of P-51D 44-74483 N6523D/ N51GP. He bought it from John Herlihy in Dec. 66 and has owned it ever since.

As he was based in the Sonoma area you might have shot a photo of George's P-51D Neal, any chance of an upload if so?

T J

[mike furline]

I believe Jack Hovey is another long time owner as well.
http://www.mustangsmustangs.com/p-51/su ... l/44-74602

[Stoney]

My one and only ride in a P-40 was with John up front.

[Neal Nurmi]

Hello T J -- I think this is the only shot I ever got of the Perez airplane. He was not going to airshows much during my time and the airplane was seldom seen. I shot it on a damp day in Hollister, Ca. I think Dan Martin was probably doing some work on it. Here's also a shot of "No Name Dame" when she really didn't have a name This was at Hollister a couple years later when Dan had a small open house.


1977--Hollister--283 by Neal Nurmi, on Flickr



1979--Hollister--284 by Neal Nurmi, on Flickr

[Neal Nurmi]

Ah, Jack Hovey's "Jello Mold Special". It was a pretty rough airplane when Jack got it but it eventually got to be quite nice. Jack was a great engine builder but he sure could be a cranky SOB sometimes.



MO79 by Neal Nurmi, on Flickr


Mo79 1 by Neal Nurmi, on Flickr


R79 1 by Neal Nurmi, on Flickr



R84 Thurs 1B by Neal Nurmi, on Flickr

[Chris Brame]

Keep 'em coming, Neal!
Did you get any shots of those two C-133s in the background? I'm guessing they're the ones sold surplus to the Foundation for Airborne Relief and still at Mojave today?

[CJAM427]

I'm sure the fact they were just about an everyday sight influenced me considerably, Connor. They're a pretty charismatic airplane, and for a while there it seemed like John Paul was popping out a new restoration every couple of years. The Bay Area was a pretty cool place there, for a while, with Mustangs, Hawks, a Bearcat or two, Sea Furies flying and being built up, firefighting Avengers and Tigercats, a B-26 or two, B-25s, a B-29 and on and on -- all within a couple of hours drive.

Interesting times for an energetic young photographer and enthusiast...

And then I discovered Airplane Racing!

I can see how that would be a strong influence! Sounds like an amazing place to be, I would never get anything else done if I were there at that time haha!

I'm thoroughly enjoying your photos (as usual).

[T J Johansen]

Mmmm, N5466V. I see that you remember my affinity for Maroon Mustangs Neal. Mucho gracias for both these photos. Always cool to see historic images of these warbirds in their former clothing.

Edit: In all the photos I have seen of Dave Norlands 51, it never wore the name on the right side. Only on the left.

T J

[Lon Moer]

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1977--Hollister--283 by Neal Nurmi, on Flickr
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Neal,
I am sure that is the best picture I've seen of that Mustang and its the nicest that Mustang has looked in a picture, its beautiful.

[Neal Nurmi]

Well thank you. Part of the trick there was the light. Most folks want sunshine, but I've always done well in crappy weather. Some Marine layer, with some occasional drizzle and maybe some sun poking through once in a while -- I can be happy. That may well be the only time I ever saw that airplane, actually.


I did not know that, TJ. And here I was so pleased to find a shot without the name...

[PeterA]

Here is 'Sneak Attack' in June 1974 at Windsor, Ontario.

To my dismay we got as far as the end of the runway when a radio failure terminated what I thought would be my only chance ever of a P-40 back seat ride.



By an amazing coincidence, ten years to the day, 30 June 1984, same aircraft but temporarily based in the UK...a back seat ride with Ray Hanna.

PeterA

Last edited by PeterA on Tue Oct 03, 2017 12:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Zac Yates]

Flying with Ray Hanna in his favourite type...wow. I'm speechless with envy!

[PeterA]

A few more P-40 shots from 'AirWar 74'.

I was yet to transition from B/W to colour neg. The colour shots are 35mm slide.

PeterA