Never Know what you'll see at the airport...Curtiss

Thu Dec 11, 2008 4:12 pm

So your dad flew Hellcats, and helldivers? That is cool.

Thu Dec 11, 2008 4:24 pm

Check Jack Cook's thread he did on my dad, Very cool of our pal Jack. I think it's called "Hellcats dad in action" ... it's back a ways, but shows some cool photos of dad doing his "thing" back in the day. A real nice shot of a Helldiver either he was flying at the time or taking a shot from another Helldiver. He was a good old boy. Hopefully I can get more photos someday soon. family politics in the way ... :evil:

he was lucky to fly many different types

F4F
F6F
F4U
Helldiver
SBD

Even shows a photo of my mug in front of my other favorite warbird ... Very sad though that it's not around anymore

POF's F6F ... :cry:

Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:22 pm

Hey Mark in defence of Chris he can call himself mustangdriver because he owns and drives a Ford Mustang :wink:

Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:36 pm

cozmo wrote:Thanks for the pictures, I liked them. And the plane too.

One of these days somebody will explain to me how the fuselage aft of the gunner (turtleback ?) goes up and down.

Cosmo, there are two hinge points on either side of the turtle deck, you pump a hydraulic handle`a few times and it comes down(folds) like an accordian. Flip a little lever to redirect the hydraulic flow and pump it a few times and up she goes

. If you want to play with the guns you have to tilt the seat and pull them out before lowering the turtledeck. Does this help, I left it big for detail clarity.

Thu Dec 11, 2008 11:35 pm

steve dickey wrote:Hey Mark in defence of Chris he can call himself mustangdriver because he owns and drives a Ford Mustang

I am not a P-51 ace by any means but did go to Stallion 51 about 5 years ago. I was not bulky as I am now, something that I am not proud of, but working to fix. I worked on two different P-51's that are now FLYING!! I know, I know, yes I like the flying warbirds too. Ha Ha I also own a 1966 Mustang Fastback or Razorback

as well as a Charger. I also owned a 1999 Mustang for a while. That is where I get the name. It is also my e-mail address so I just carried it over to here. Probably not as cool of a story as you all would like.

Thu Dec 11, 2008 11:36 pm

steve dickey wrote:
cozmo wrote:Thanks for the pictures, I liked them. And the plane too.

One of these days somebody will explain to me how the fuselage aft of the gunner (turtleback ?) goes up and down.

Cosmo, there are two hinge points on either side of the turtle deck, you pump a hydraulic handle`a few times and it comes down(folds) like an accordian. Flip a little lever to redirect the hydraulic flow and pump it a few times and up she goes . If you want to play with the guns you have to tilt the seat and pull them out before lowering the turtledeck. Does this help, I left it big for detail clarity.

I always wondered what kind of ride that rear gunner had?

Fri Dec 12, 2008 12:25 am

mustangdriver wrote:I am not a P-51 ace by any means but did.....stay at a Holiday Inn Select last night.

Sorry, couldn't resist!

Fri Dec 12, 2008 12:36 am

warbird1 wrote:
mustangdriver wrote:I am not a P-51 ace by any means but did.....stay at a Holiday Inn Select last night.

Sorry, couldn't resist!

Ha Ha no worries that is about the size of it.

Fri Dec 12, 2008 7:15 am

steve dickey wrote:Cosmo, there are two hinge points on either side of the turtle deck, you pump a hydraulic handle`a few times and it comes down(folds) like an accordian. Flip a little lever to redirect the hydraulic flow and pump it a few times and up she goes . If you want to play with the guns you have to tilt the seat and pull them out before lowering the turtledeck. Does this help, I left it big for detail clarity.

Yes, that helps a lot. Thank you. Never thought about hydraulics, always thought electric or crank. And I didn't figure cranking would work.

The thread with the crazy guy building...no, re-engineering and ultra detailing the kit helped some too.

Fri Dec 12, 2008 10:41 am

Yeah "Hellcat"...and I still think you're a wuss for caving and changing your name.

Mudge the stirrer :hide:

("Just funnin', son. Just funnin'.")

Fri Dec 12, 2008 12:20 pm

Mudge wrote:Yeah "Hellcat"...and I still think you're a wuss for caving and changing your name.

Mudge the stirrer

("Just funnin', son. Just funnin'.")

Are you calling me a wuss? ... there's rules around here for guys like you that insult people. I want you to be warned by the moderators and possibly put on probation .... :wink:

No name calling around here .... period!!!! ....

Chris, your an even cooler guy now for owning a 66 mustang. I've had two corvettes and thinking about a third.

.... how the hell did you get into the back of that P-51? ... did they cut holes on either side of the fusalage for your legs to stick out? How does a 6'6 guy get into the back of a Mustang. Hell I'm too tall for a mustang.

Also regarding the CAF Helldiver, how many pilots are checked out to fly her? I hear only one or two.

Mark the disturbed by all the name calling ... :wink:

Fri Dec 12, 2008 12:48 pm

Mudge your in trouble now!

Double Secret Probation!

Fri Dec 12, 2008 12:52 pm

Ha Ha it was a Tf, so a litle more room. I am still 6 foot, so not alot of room. I did weigh a great deal less though. I don't think I would look cool in there now. Vettes are cool too man.

Fri Dec 12, 2008 1:00 pm

Are you asking ME How I got into the back of a P-51? Seemed roomy enough to me. Are you saying you're too tall to get into the back of a North American Mustang or a Ford Mustang?

Mudge the vertically blessed :roll:

Fri Dec 12, 2008 1:02 pm

Both Ha Ha, I tried to show a gal how to lay down in the back of the Mustang, but she slapped me in the face. :oops: