None of my business...but P-51A "Polar Bear" needs

[Randy Haskin]

I'll preface this by saying that I realize that since it's not my toy and not my checkbook operating it, it is no business of mine...

But...

As a Mustang enthusiast, "Polar Bear" has always annoyed me. It is by registration a "P-51A", and shown at airshows as such. However, it's as much P-51D as it is P-51A, being a built-up hybrid of the fuse of 44-73483, the wing of an Indonesian D model, and the wreck of 43-6006.

So, my thought since seeing Gerry Beck's "homebuilt" A model has been to get Polar Bear into the shop up at Tri State and into the P-51A jigs. Rebuild out all the P-51D parts and get her back into legitimate P-51A condition (similar to the "purification" rebuild of P-51C 43-25147/Princess Elizabeth, which was also a bastardized rebuild with P-51D parts).

This would make her a "pure" P-51A, and the Mustang world would be just a little more "right" for it having been done.

If only I could whip out my own checkbook and make it so...

[Chad Veich]

Fantastic idea, and there would be enough "left over" stuff to probably get another D model flying!

[JohnH]

It doesn't bother me anymore, and Polar Bear is a neat airplane. But I do remember a similar annoyance when I read of the rebuild in Warbirds Intl and learning it wasn't really a rebuild at all, but more of a new build from a D model.

John

[Jerry O'Neill]

Actually, the only thing "Polar Bear" needs... is to be in MY HANGER!
I'll worry about the authenticity later!!!
Jerry

[Chad Veich]

It doesn't bother me anymore, and Polar Bear is a neat airplane. But I do remember a similar annoyance when I read of the rebuild in Warbirds Intl and learning it wasn't really a rebuild at all, but more of a new build from a D model.
John

I can't say it annoyed me but I've always wondered why they bothered to drag all the wreckage off of the mountain when all they needed was the data plate! It's an interesting airplane, though I must admit that it looks a bit odd to my eye.

[rwdfresno]

As a Mustang enthusiast, "Polar Bear" has always annoyed me.

As a P-51 un-enthusiast I could care less. In a perfect world it would be nice to see every aircraft accurately restored, accurately marked, painted etc. For now I am just happy it is flown fairly regularly and Gerry Gabe usually asks for very little to come to an event and even buys his own hot dogs. Randy as you mentioned it isn't cheap to get into one of these aircraft these days and I'm not sure that Gerry is one of those guys sitting on a million or so to tear apart his already flying and cool P-51 just to make the knit pickers happy so you better double up on your lottery tickets.

[DougR]

Randy,

As we speak Tri-state is building the rib tooling for A/B/C wings to complete the Red Tail rebuild. The stringers are at different locations than the -D and we need the ribs so Brent at Odegaard Wings can finish the -C model wing. I don't know what wing is on the Polar Bear, but I am guessing it would be a -D model.

The point is, to be a real -A would require a new wing as well.

[Warbird Kid]

For that matter if Gerry Beck's A-model is restored, then maybe a joint project could be undertaken at the same time on both aircraft, back to make them fully functional A model Mustangs (Personally my favorite. You'll find my love for this fighter starts at the beginning of the alphabet and works it way down.

Don't forget the razorbacks! I would love to see more of them in the air!

[Bill Greenwood]

Ryan, I have never before heard of a P-51 "un-enthusiast". You aren't by chance ex Luftwaffe are you?

[rwdfresno]

Ryan, I have never before heard of a P-51 "un-enthusiast". You aren't by chance ex Luftwaffe are you?

LOL Bill, I'm not sure what happened to me as a child but for some reason I have just never been a huge fan of fighter aircraft. Perhaps it was my traumatic upbringing by a family of B-25s, I'm not sure. I have always been much more interested in the details that go into bomber aircraft such as the turrets, crew station details, radio equipment etc. I can appreciate all that goes into these aircraft and not to say that I dislike them just my interests lie more in the area of medium and heavy bombers.

[Curtis Block]

The biggest problem would be convincing Jerry to take his nicely flying aircraft, rip it apart, and then sink a ton of money into it again, to make, a nicely flying aircraft. I’ve spent some time with him before and I just don’t think he’s the type to do that.

[Randy Haskin]

The biggest problem would be convincing Jerry to take his nicely flying aircraft, rip it apart, and then sink a ton of money into it again, to make, a nicely flying aircraft. I’ve spent some time with him before and I just don’t think he’s the type to do that.

Well, obviously. There is no reason a rational person would do such a thing, which is why I put the suggestion in the context of "If I could afford to do it...."

[Curtis Block]

Roger that.

[JDK]

Well, obviously. There is no reason a rational person would do such a thing, which is why I put the suggestion in the context of "If I could afford to do it...."

My name is Randy,, and I want to be rich and insane. ?!?

(Sorry, 'irrational'.)

[Randy Haskin]

My name is Randy,, and I want to be rich and insane. ?!?

I thought those two things went hand-in-hand?

Besides...nothing is too insane or irrational for an anorak.