Question about the first Confederate Air Force aircraft

[Dave Homewood]

When Lloyd Nolan and his mates bought the Mustang "Red Nose" that would become the first aeroplane in what became the Confederate Air Force (now Commemorative Air Force) back in 1957, was it in airworthy condition? Or was there a lengthy period of work to put it back into the air first?

I'm curious because I have heard people say Nolan was the first person to ever save a warbird for continued flying.

Here in New Zealand in May 1958 when our RNZAF Mustangs were sold off, Peter Coleman of Blenheim bought NZ2427 and as I understand it he based it initially at Omaka airport (where the famous Classic Fighters airshow now takes place every second Easter) and it was flown on occasions by the Marlborough Aero Club CFI (completely under the radar, not legally). Coleman later moved it to a purpose built hangar under his home. That aircraft now flies in the UK as "Janie".

Also in May 1958 NZ2417 was sold to Ron Fechney who bought it to restore and put back into the air. He and his mates did so and it flew for a while in NZ in the 1960's before going overseas and now flies with Kermit Weeks' collection as 'Cripes A Mighty 3rd'.

I'm curious as to whether the CAF had their Mustang and other aircraft up and flying by May 1958? I just wonder if what was occurring in the USA had been reported here in NZ or seen by kiwis, and they were inspired to fiollow suit. Or was it perhaps just a completely independent desire to keep some classic fighters flying.

It is great that these men saved those aircraft (and Pete Coleman saved a few others too, with another of those Mustangs also flying in the USA now). These guys were certainly pioneers in what would become our own warbird movement, I reckon.

[Rauhbatz]

Great question...I'll take your message and send it along to my Dixie Wing and CAF contacts.

I read somewhere else about P-51s flying "under the radar" down there...that would have been great fun!

[Dan K]

Dave, although I have no first-hand information of the events, I don't believe the P-51 was Mr. Nolen's first warbird purchase. Information suggests that he bought a surplus P-40 already in 1951.

http://www.rockymountainwingcaf.org/Mem ... nuID=51~51

As to whether his early warbird purchases inspired other international individuals or groups of the time, I could only speculate.

[Dan K]

...I don't believe the P-51 was Mr. Nolen's first warbird purchase...

Sorry, that's Mr. Nolan, of course. No offense intended.

[Pogmusic]

Wasn't the first Confederate Aircraft a ballon used to spy on troop movements in and around Washington, D.C.?

[Robbie Stuart]

Lloyd bought a P-40 in 1951.

[Speedy]

Yup, you guys beat me to it. Lloyd Nolan bought a P-40 first....then I think they sold it and they went together to get the P-51, which was still flyable at that point. There are photos in the book Yesterday's Wings (long since out of print) that show it right after they got the Mustang).

Another P-40 came later, which is the N-model I think they still have.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks chaps. I guess a key thing is that America had the air racing culture that was keeping the wartime aircraft flying too so it probably wasn't such a big step to take to buy a privately owned fighter in the USA as it would have been in NZ. Did Lloyd Nolan fly that first P-40 at airshows?

[cwmc]

Quite right about the warbird flying through the 40's and 50's. There were a lot of airplanes available, Northwest Airlines Captain Chuck Doyle had P-40's and P-51's through the 50's and he flew them for pleasure. E.D.Weiner also traded in surplus fighters, so did Mike Coutches during that same time period. I once met a man that told me he had a friend in Houston in the late 40's, early 50's that owned a P-38 just because he liked it so much. He had ridden in it when the owner flew it just to make sure it remained operational. Pigsborne or something like that was the name, I long after found the ship mentioned in Veronico's "P-Screamers" book.
So there was a fair amount of general aviation operation of surplus fighters for pleasure during the 40's and 50's in the US.
Chris...

[aerovin]

Pigsborne or something like that was the name, I long after found the ship mentioned in Veronico's "P-Screamers" book.
Chris...

That would be Kevin Grantham's P-Screamers. Excellent resource.