Warbird Information Exchange

God Speed - Lefty.

[Might anyone have a bio to post?]

{Moonbeam has a connection to Lefty - 'allegedly' it was 'moved' southbound with several other Mustangs at the same time....on one particular night....under the wing of a legally exported Connie..........
But you did not read it here!}

VL

Chuck Lyford recalled to me seeing Lefty and the Connie when he was in El Salvador in 1969.

It is the end of a very special era. Lefty Gardner knew that these planes represented something so great in history and was one of the few people with the foresight to start preserving them so long ago. I owe my interest in warbirds and being involved in the planes I fly today to Lefty's founding of the CAF in 1961.

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Live to fly, Fly to live.....

I also received a call yesterday and I'm still sadden with the news. My deepest condolences to the Gardner's and a thank you to Lefty for all the memories...........

Lynn

My thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.

I had some dealings with Lefty in the mid 80's. Everyone knows how great a pilot he was, and I have to add he was that great of a man as well. With a handshake you had a contract better than any could be written by attorneys. I am thankful to have known him and will always remember the ride of my life in the "small baggage" area behind him in White Lightning. He was one of a kind; a kind, honest, and passionate man.

Lex

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An ego is no match for gravity.

God speed & all my prayers to the family.

I am still curious to know if Lefty ever saw his P38 after the amazing work done by the restorers.

It was after all a life long dedication and his foresight of his that made that P38 so special.

"White Lightning" was one of my earliest warbird memories with its distinctive paint scheme. I saw the plane's very last performance as WL in Tullahoma, TN June 24, 2001. It crash landed the next day with Lefty's son at the controls.

RIP Lefty,
BK

Ad astra, Lefty: you and your machine made a tangible difference in this boy's life, and I'm sure plenty others as well. Were I to do half so well, sir, I should be pleased indeed.

Oh my god...I just got the new Warbird Digest with his airplane on the cover the day before he died.

"After the airshows are over, and there are no more races to run. I trust that the good Lord above me will look favorably on all I have done.

You know it's been like heaven on earth to fly this magnificent plane.

To pierce the sky and dodge the clouds and soar above the rain.

They say you can't take it with you, when you pass through the pearly gates.

But I hope and pray that the angels above Want a ride in my P38"

(WD-24 recieved December 24, 2008, page 25)

John

Unfortunately no to my knowledge but it was in the works....

Lynn

Condolences to all now saddened by Lefty's passing.

Still my favorite warbird airshow act. Those knife edge passes will forever be etched in my memory.

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

My favorite was the single engine maneuvers. Never got any good pictures though. By the time I had a camera that would capture it, it was removed from his routine. I was just by Old Rebel Field a month or so ago. No doubt he was a competent pilot, and I imagine there are a lot of stories we'll never hear.

My condolences to the family.

Chunks

Lefty was very special...

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Neal Nurmi

---Wingman Photo---

Very sad news indeed.

It sure would be neat if a flyover of White Lightning could be arranged for the funeral.

A legend has left us. I'll never forget attending all of the Airsho's back in the 70's and 80's where Lefty flew White Lightning. The memories I had of him as a kid is something I will always cherish.

Condolences to the Gardner family.

Does anybody know what Lefty flew during the War?