Both Twin Mustangs now on display at the NMUSAF

[ZRX61]

I think everyione is missing the one BIG important fact about the Museum now having the 82....



NO trampstamp

[dfenner]

I thought I’d throw my 2 cents in as I was one of the lucky few there in Harlingen to see her fly the last time. Ed Messick (Grinny as we called him) was an icon in the CAF. He was everywhere, all the time, all the shows, very impressive studly, legend-in-his-own-mind kind of guy. Fun guy to have around. Great pilot, but I don’t think he flew the P-82 except once a year at airshow.

Ed and a group of guys tinkered with her all day and finally her engines roared to life and Ed jumped in and took to the skies. She was just as impressive as you would imagine! Like 2 mustangs flying in tight formation. Very cool craft.

Ed did indeed attribute his stalling it in on final to mixing up the MPH and Knots air speed indicator. Bummer. Anyway, like Mike recalls, I distinctly remember Ed leaving out the back door of headquarters telling Ralph Royce and Hal Fenner, “Don’t you guys worry! I will fix it!!” As Ed disappeared into the sunset and, except for a time or two, we in the CAF never saw the guy again. This incident and other reasons set Hal and others on a path to establish the MCRP for individual aircraft to help with this situation of planes being either flown out or bent up and guys walking away leaving the aircraft unfunded for new engines/repairs.

I do wish the CAF had not lost her, as that would be her best chance to ever fly again.

[Dan K]

As for a flyer, I have seen some very nice pics of the current resto going on on the former Soplata bird and it is a top notch job from the pics I am seeing. Would the CAF/NMUSAF bird gotten the same care? Not likely.
So, are we done yet?

I thought I was done but...not yet. The owner of the former Soplata P-82 sent me some pictures a few weeks ago. I have no doubt that it will be the finest flying P-82 in the world when it's done.

Since there are two former Soplata P-82's being restored, perhaps we could say "XP-82" or "F-82E" to clarify? Brad, I'm going out on a limb and guessing that you were speaking of C&P's example.

I hear Bud Wheeler is rebuilding the engines.

[Django]

As for a flyer, I have seen some very nice pics of the current resto going on on the former Soplata bird and it is a top notch job from the pics I am seeing. Would the CAF/NMUSAF bird gotten the same care? Not likely.
So, are we done yet?

I thought I was done but...not yet. The owner of the former Soplata P-82 sent me some pictures a few weeks ago. I have no doubt that it will be the finest flying P-82 in the world when it's done.

Since there are two former Soplata P-82's being restored, perhaps we could say "XP-82" or "F-82E" to clarify? Brad, I'm going out on a limb and guessing that you were speaking of C&P's example.

I hear Bud Wheeler is rebuilding the engines.

There are TWO being restored? Didn't know that. I guess this thread had a point beyond page 2 after all.

[Dan K]

There are TWO being restored? Didn't know that. I guess this thread had a point beyond page 2 after all.

XP-82 reconstruction with Tom Reilly in Georgia (Merlins).

F-82E rebuild with the Harkers at C&P in Anoka, MN (Allisons).

[Pat Carry]

Since discussions in this thread are wide open, I say take the one at Lackland and place it in a museum where it can be kept inside.

[bluehawk15]

I wonder why sun/hail shelters, like you find on Air Force base ramps these days, can't be built over the F-82 and the other aircraft on the parade ground at Lackland? I know it would cost some money, but perhaps if they only did a couple a year, starting with the smaller planes...