Warbird Information Exchange

Anyone have an update on this project. Looks pretty interesting...

http://www.kwtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8227711

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

Looking at the videos on the link, I saw a logo for http://www.CharlesLindbergh.com Now I'm starting to put this together. This was the project that was under the direction of Ty ________ and ended up in court. The plane was "divided up" if I remember correctly. The History channel had even filmed some of the work that had been done on the building of the replica and the NASM had given unpresedented access to the original plane for the builders. I thought a book was to accompany the History Channel special...

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

Interesting. On subjects such as this I usually keep my opinions to myself. I am often reminded that most opinions are worth about as much as you pay for them. I should probably take my own advice and just let this one go but I can't do it. The idea of trying to fly an "authentic" Spirit of St. Louis replica across the Atlantic makes about as much sense as the guy in England who strapped his nine year old grandson to the top wing of his airshow Stearman just so the kid could become the youngest wing walker ever and the pilot could become the dumbest grandparent in history. I get the idea of flying a highly modified Stearman around the world. I'm not sure I'd want to try it but hey, knock yourself out. I doubt that it had ever been done before. I just don't see the point in trying to re-create CAL's flight with a Wright J-5 that's 80 years old. Had Ty pulled this deal off in the first place and tried to make the trip we might have had a chance to learn just how "lucky" Lucky Lindy really was. Sorry Ty, but I'm just glad you are still here and not at the bottom of the North Atlantic.

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Albert Stix Jr.
"Work is the curse of the drinking class"

I'm not wild about a "re-flight", but a "to the letter" flying replica would be nice to see. I gave up on the Rhinebeck NYP ever being completed.

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

"The idea of trying to fly an "authentic" Spirit of St. Louis replica across the Atlantic makes about as much sense as the guy in England who strapped his nine year old grandson to the top wing of his airshow Stearman just so the kid could become the youngest wing walker ever and the pilot could become the dumbest grandparent in history."

I am not sure that they are the same thing.
Whats the difference between someone building an Authentic Spirit, and someone rebuilding a specific warbird with intent to fly it in the same manner as the original?

Now I would agree what does a second crossing prove? well nothing, its been done, but if nothing else it would allow full documentation of the crossing which was not available at the time of the original effort. Film, photos, etc, in other words allowing more to appreciate the original accomplishment.

I was quite interested in this project, so its a real shame to see it all fall apart, and I am not sure what will happen to the separated parts?

I think they are the same thing in that both ideas, flying a J-5 powered NYP replica across the Atlantic and strapping a small child onto the wing of a Stearman both seem like needlessly risky ideas. Flying an authentic NYP replica over the ground would be an understandable and interesting goal. Charles Lindbergh did some amazing things with the Spirit of St. Louis once it was back in the U.S. but remember, it came back from Europe by steamship.

What's the difference? Well, for one thing, the Wright J-5 is considered by most antique aircraft owners to be a somewhat "risky" engine. On the other hand, many WWII era warbird engines are even by today's standards, pretty darn reliable if they are overhauled and operated properly. From my point of view, it's mostly an issue of engine technology. The problem is gravity. As far as I know, nobody has left one up there yet.

As far as "someone rebuilding a specific warbird with intent to fly it in the same manner as the original?", well I guess it just depends on how far somebody wants to push that issue. Unless the federal regs have changed in the last few years, in theory it would still be legal in many states to re-arm a restored Bf-109 providing you legally owned the guns and cannon. Still, I don't see Paul Allen sending his 109 up to shoot down the Colliings B-17 and B-24 the next time they visit Seattle. However, that would be flying the 109 in the "same manner as the original" right?

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Albert Stix Jr.
"Work is the curse of the drinking class"

Don't forget the team that built a replica of the first aircraft to cross the Atlantic non-stop and, after testing it out by flying it from the UK to Australia and UK to S Africa flew it across the Atlantic to commemorate the original flight.

Non-original engines, but an authentic (slooow) airframe.

http://www.vimy.org/home.html

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James K

"Switch on the underwater landing lights"
Emilio Largo, Thunderball.

www.VintageAeroWriter.com

And that Vimy certainly attracted a lot of attention when it made it's flight.

I'd only worry about a single engine plane doing it. But, then again, what how long could the Vimy have lasted on one engine going across the Atlantic? Probably not too long.


Peace,

David

For the nonbelievers in recreating history, what about Glacier girl? Yes it has not recreated the flight from the 40's but the idea of recreating an historical flight (especially in the days of computers and GPS) is to me a great thing! I for sure was not around when the NYP made its flight. But I'd love to see a recreation of it. CGI? I don't think so! When I was a kid in 77 or 78? there was a replica of the NYP flying around. I have a signed poster of it here somewhere. So as an adult that event has made a permanent impact on me, I have even told my kids about it. So if a historical flight was made perhaps my kids will tell their kids. My kids have been fortunate in that they have seen the "ME 262" fly so many time they got board with it! I'm sure they will reflect on it one day to their kids!

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" excuse me stewardess I speak jive"

When the Vimy had an engine failure on the way to Australia, they were able to select their 'land straight ahead'. Obviously load would be a factor, but I don't think the Vimy had any significant engine out performance.

As 262 said, replicas and recreations have an important role to play in reminding people and providing an entry point for new generations to history. My favourite examples of these would be the Trireme Olympias of the Greek Navy and the Globe Theatre recreation in London.

http://www.shakespeares-globe.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympias_(trireme)

Tip of the hat to anyone prepared to fly the Atlantic in any single engine aircraft.

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James K

"Switch on the underwater landing lights"
Emilio Largo, Thunderball.

www.VintageAeroWriter.com

This idea doesn't bother me, I'd say go ahead.

Yes, it seems risky. However, what is being risked is one willing guy and a replica plane of no historical importance.

Glacier Girl was different. Again, I don't mind if a guy kills himself trying something risky, but to the extent that the airplane is an irreplaceable artifact, I'd miss it.

August

That's a very good point K5083.

I agree that you can kind of do what you want with a replica as long as you've got the owners approval... And the pilot who would be flying it is risking only their own life.

I would really like to see it done too. It will remind people of what an incredible feat it was. Most people today would be blown away to see it re-created uttering "They flew across in one of those???"

I'm sure most people know the Lindbergh name and of course the "Spirit of St. Louis," but beyond that I'm sure their understanding is kind of weak. A re-explanation of this history would be a good thing for everyone, especially for those that it may spark an interest in aviation in.

Peace,

David

There is infact anouther spirit being built, in nw washington. will be complete with a J-5 and will be as origanal as possible using all information that has been gathered to date. no plans to fly the atlantic, but will be flying around the U.S. j.n.e. aircraft

A Spirit flying replica is due-I participated in all phases of planning and show weekend programming while with EAA 261 in GnawLunz during the EAA's 50th flying celebration back in 1977.

JNEAircraft, I see you're an easy pebble toss from my house here in Mt. Vermin. You over at Bayview?

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Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

Well, if he insists on flying across in an authenic aircraft, let him do it in an authenic manner: no GPS, no radio, no instruments other than the original. And no sleep the night previous.

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Kevin McCartney