Warbird Information Exchange

Would like to throw this out to you all - do you think people would be interested in seeing a P-51 and a Spitfire duel at a few East Coast (PA, NJ, DE, VA) airshows in 2014?

Jim and I are thinking about putting together a two ship (Spitfire and P-51) and asking the fans and spectators each show "Which is better the P-51 or the Spitfire?" Jim would fly the Spitfire I would fly the P-51. The routine would be focused around answering the age old question on which is the better fighter.

Our demo would be about 10 -15 minutes long.
We start off by going head to head - allow the Spitfire to show off for a few minutes, then the Mustang, then we'd do some aerobatics together as a two ship - then we'd ask the crowd to pick the winner - allowing the winner to do a victory roll!!

Let me know what you all think - nothing in stone yet, but might try and do a few shows this year.

Thanks for your polite and constructive comments in advance.

Andrew

Sounds like a winner to me.

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That would be pretty cool!

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P-51, The Cadillac of the Sky!

The only problem I see with that idea is your not coming to NC.

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Don't let the scrappers win !!!!!!!

Eric Miller
Project Warbird Salvage/Museum
http://www.projectwarbird.com

This must be a rhetorical question. Of course I'd love to see it!! In all seriousness, whatever is put together for the demo, I'm sure I would enjoy seeing it happen. The only problem to overcome with the concept I can see though is thinking through the fact that you surely won't be operating at "shoot or be shot" operating limits of pilot/plane, and it's at low altitude, so how do you assemble flying sequences that lead the audience to answer the question?

Hope you guys do it.

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Life's a Pitts

I think Jim will have to hold her back. Better hope he doesn't let the horses run!
Merlins are for Boys,
Griffons are for Men
HA!

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Rich Palmer

Remember an Injured Youth
benstear.org
#64- Stay Strong and Keep the Faith

BOOM BOOM, ROUND ROUND, PROPELLER GO

Don't Be A Dilbert!

This will be shades of a past debate-
Less Filling
or
Tastes Great

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Rich Palmer

Remember an Injured Youth
benstear.org
#64- Stay Strong and Keep the Faith

BOOM BOOM, ROUND ROUND, PROPELLER GO

Don't Be A Dilbert!

WINNER...SCHMINNER...The spectators can't lose? I'd pay to see that. Bring it on!!

Mudge the spectator

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Land of the free because of the brave

Speaking for myself, if you were to do it at, say, WWII Weekend, it might seal my decision to attend, and maybe I can tempt a few friends as well. It's the sort of thing we need at warbird shows: novelty, plus something that teaches real information while entertaining.

Just don't let Shelton wax you both with his Wildcat. That would be embarrassing.

August

Isn't there enough friction between the Brits and Yanks over how many of their beloved Spitfires have migrated to the states? Now someone wants to come along and add to the already bad blood by slapping around one of their own in US skies in front of more Yanks no less. Aren't we supposed to be allies?

Seriously? Nice idea and IMO something several airshow programs could use. Best of luck.

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“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

Good question. I think what we would do is some actual dog fighting. By starting the demo off - head to head - it would start an actual engagement. This engagement of course would need to comply with the limits of the FAA Box, but I think we could beat it up pretty good. We'd then allow each aircraft - to have it's own few minutes of demo - then let the crowd decide which they think won the fight and or is the better fighter. Each audience member will have its own views and or not know yet, because this is the first time anyone has asked them - or that they have seen these two types of aircraft at the same time. Lots of things we can do here, but appreciate the feedback - helpful in thinking through what we can do to make it more life-like and engaging. Also, I forgot to mention - people in the audience will be able to text for the results and the airshow boss will be able to (in real time) report the results from the audience - it will be provided free of charge. For example, text 12258 if you think the Mustang won, text 12259 if you think the spitfire won.

That's a winner!

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Cessna 195

Might have to put the improved Nerf Guns in The Spit.
Will use the suction cup darts.
The P-51 will look like a porcupine when it lands

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Rich Palmer

Remember an Injured Youth
benstear.org
#64- Stay Strong and Keep the Faith

BOOM BOOM, ROUND ROUND, PROPELLER GO

Don't Be A Dilbert!

This sounds like a fantastic idea! It would be neat to show off the characteristics of each in a comparative sort of way and see how two contemporary fighters stack up with each other. A dogfight would be really cool too, and very unique on the airshow circuit! I haven't really seen a good dogfight demo between WWII fighters, maybe ever.

One thing that I've seen before with a Corsair and Wildcat is that one will do a pass with a slow roll, closely followed by the other doing a slow roll, etc. The first aircraft does a pass some sort of maneuver, then the next aircraft follows immediately with the same maneuver. That might be kind of cool to see with the Spit and Mustang. Sort lets the crowd see the different roll rates, climbing ability, etc. Just a thought!

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Matt

Sounds like something for the Greatest Show on Turf!

http://www.1941hag.org/Geneseo-Airshow/index.html

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Wish I had a plane to put here... anyone got any leads on a (prewar) J3 Cub?

1952 Ford F6 Howe Fire Truck
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