Its Awake

[Warbird Kid]

...and when they reveal the huge Red Bull logo on the upper and lower wings...MAN THAT IS GONNA BE COOL!!!!
Jerry

(Oh, I hope not!)

Yep, I bet nobody can wait for that! I hope at least that while shes flying in the US, she'll have her Early War sheme on, and when she finally makes her way to Germany then Red Bull can 'have their way' with the old girl.

[steve dickey]

Austria man, Austria!! (Saltzberg)

[Jerry O'Neill]

Someday, I hope to here those beautiful, howling twin Allisions's singing in a bass harmony with the Von Trapp Family, high over Saltzberg!
Jerry

[ZuluEcho]

oh thats gorgeous!! thanks for the pics..

[Django]

Those early markings make my heart go pitter patter!

[Junkyard36]

Me too - I have always been a fan of pre-war markings!

[Warbird Kid]

Alright, now there HAS to be a White Lightin/ Glacier Girl photo flight!

Not to mention 927 of course!

What other Pre to Early War painted Warbirds would be in the area to fly with that pollished bueaty?

[Jerry O'Neill]

Probably not too many. Chino's AT-12, a nice AT-6A, LSFM's B-25 (early war paint now!).

Since you brought up early markings, I know it wouldn't be historically accurate, but I would love to see a Corsair painted up as the prototype in the silver with the chrome yellow wings!
Even if it was just for a short time.
I like the blue Corsairs, don't get me wrong, but if I was restoring one, I'd first paint it in the prototype's colors for a few years then re-paint it in the blue. I might even go so far as to build a birdcage style canopy for it. (If I had a restored Corsair, I'd have the money to do it!)
Remember the colors on the old CAF FM-2?
Grey with Yellow wings.
I really thought it looked sharp!
My .02!
Jerry

[Warbird Kid]

Yes, that would be awsome Jerry!

I always thought it would be cool to see a prototype Corsair fly. But they differ so much from the actual production versions that are around!

Wonder if 'New Build' is a possibility. Like Beck's A model, couldn't somebody with alot of time and money, whip up one to fly with White Lightin and the XP-51 at EAA?

Perfect project for the newly started "Stratford Warplane Museum"

Or what would you call the museum Jerry?

[Jerry O'Neill]

"My Hangar"!!!

I hate to give away all the good names out in a public forum like this!
Someone might actually take it and use it...instead of just talking about it!

The problem with using "Stratford" is that it localizes it too much, especially when trying to secure funds from either private individuals or governement sources. A more encompassing name is better, plus, with the fluidity of organizations and fickle airport managements these days, you might not be able to build it at Stratford or some day be forced to move!

Loved to talk about it though!
Hey, maybe the Tri-State guys would be interested in painting their FG-1 as the prototype when it's finished!
Jerry

[Warbird Kid]

Ah! I see your game. And I see your point! So instead of just localizing it, would you stay in the realm of using the state's name, or would you go with a more generic name? Remember, generic, doesnt mean bad.

It just seems like there are alot of Air Museums out there, and some of those have names that are somewhat close to others. Its only a matter of a few words of course.

Plan A- We take ownership or partnership with Kaolin who I believe owns the origonal buildings at the field, if not the one that looks like Swiss cheese!

Ok, we'll try to obtain that second hanger too. Its kinda a package deal. Hangers 1 and 2, the terminal building, and "The Windsock". If we can restore those hangers, we would be in a great position to start a flying museum! Its the perfect spot. Its just that darn little thing called money and volunteers that are standing in our way!

You of all people know that history is just flowing from all over that field! Lets mull on this 'idea' somemore!



Air Museum- "If you build it, they will come" (Airplane nuts that is)

[Dan Johnson II]

I can't wait until they scuff up the shiny stuff and get the "White Lightnin" scheme back in place.

Not me, it's obviously going to be in a pre-war or prototype paint job which I think is going to look absolutely fantastic.

Is it pre-war or is it late war Pacific that would be appropriate for an L model even though it's got the early intakes?

49th FG 38s had the tail stripes like that in 45.

Can anyone confirm red dots centers and no bar to the star on it?

[Warbird Kid]

Yeah, even though she's a late model, she has the early intakes. Whats with that? Was it a modification Lefty put in?

I was also curious what else Lefty, or however else White Lightin was owned to before him, had done to the fighter?

Extended fuel tanks, lightened, modified engine?


Chris

[Neal Nurmi]

I believe the "early" intakes were done back in the 1940s as part of a fairly extensive mod program to race the airplane at Cleveland, Gary Levitz did a similar mod in the 1970s when he was trying in vain to make "Double Trouble" go faster. They really improve the looks of the airplane, in my opinion...

[Chad Veich]

NX25Y ready for the Miami races in '47 and prior to getting the early model lower cowlings.