Warbird Information Exchange

Dude -- sorry, no. The thing is about five times the size it was.

Before:



Now:



I grant you that your scoop is nicely crafted and I'll take your word that it's more efficient. But I'll stand by butt-ugly; it mars the lines of the plane much more than Lefty's. You're justifiably proud of the airplane but I ain't blind.

I'll echo the others that it's a very pretty machine in general, and will be nice to have in the air again. You did great work in an amazingly short time.

Apologies to any who may feel that I and others may have hijacked a thread that was supposed to be just for waxing poetic about sheet metal bending. It's nice metal all right. I'll stop now.

August

You know, I am going to take a bunch of flak for this, but I sort of agree with August. Now don't get me wrong, this thing is beautiful, and the craftsmanship is top notch. It is also great to see another P-38 in the air. But, what is it? It is a P-38J that has been modified to look like a cross between a YP-38, and XP-38. I think that it is funny how some will bash people for having a wrong paint job, but have no problem with this. Is it because of the rarity of the aircraft. Once again don't mistake what I am saying. It is a beauty, and the work is out of this world, just an odd thinkg to do.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director

It is EX-F*CKIN'-SQUISITE!!...That's what it is...in my humble opinion.



It is also within the lifelong character of this bird to have yet another unique identity...or appearance all her own.
For 60years she has traveled farther and farther away from her P-38J origin. Now she resembles the origin of
ALL P-38's. Full circle..
Sorry..in my warped little mind there is some sort of symmetry in that fact.
http://hometown.aol.com/conroeqb/47Thompsonindex.html

K5083...apologies, but the scoop looks better than the old treatment, IMHO.
Jeez, wit some of you guys around Jessica Alba better never get a pimple...

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He bowls overhand...He is the most interesting man in the world.
"In Peace Japan Breeds War", Eckstein, Harper and Bros., 3rd ed. 1943(1927, 1928,1942)
"Leave it to ol' Slim. I got ideas...and they're all vile, baby." South Dakota Slim
"Ahh..."The Deuce", 28,000 pounds of motherly love." quote from some Mojave Grunt
DBF

But once again, I am not questioning the quality of the work, just the style that they went with.

_________________
Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director

Jeez, wit some of you guys around Jessica Alba better never get a pimple

Depends on where she gets the pimple

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Kind Regards,
Gary Lewis
J.A.F.O.

The line is the way it is because the aft section picks up heated air over the exhaust pipe to provide carburetor heat capability. The line you see was/is the best compromise for blending it in.

Yes, it would have been nice to have the inlet fairing about half that length- but it wasn't possible-

AE

I was commenting on both. From what I understand of the bird, there wasn't much
left of a J-model after all the mods over the years..not to mention the accident.

But thank-you anyway Mr. Blackstone, for your opinion.
Everone is entitled to their opinion...even if their wrong..I'll still read your posts MD!

_________________
He bowls overhand...He is the most interesting man in the world.
"In Peace Japan Breeds War", Eckstein, Harper and Bros., 3rd ed. 1943(1927, 1928,1942)
"Leave it to ol' Slim. I got ideas...and they're all vile, baby." South Dakota Slim
"Ahh..."The Deuce", 28,000 pounds of motherly love." quote from some Mojave Grunt
DBF

Just so that we are all clear, I think that this thing is beautiful, I just think it is interesting in the decision of the style that they went with in the restoration. Like I said before, the work is top notch, and it is a sweet ride.

_________________
Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director

Ya know, it's the way a good portion of the postings are in this thread that alot of owners of THIER own aircraft keep them locked up in the hangar and fly when and where THEY want because THEY are footing the bill. Yet THEY get slammed by YOU on public forums because YOU can't get in to see them

Red Bull had Ezell build THAT airplane up for THEM

I am sure it would make you sick to know there is a autopilot in that airplane now, but Red Bull is smart enough (and has the money) to make these airplanes pilot friendly and ten times safer than they ever were before

If they would have wanted to paint that airplane pink, I would have no problem because THEY paid for it

that is a beautiful aircraft.

B

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documenting restored B-17s and those undergoing restoration to flight:

You know, I don't think I was disrespectful at all about the owners of the aircraft or the work being done. I did not bash them at all, I was jsut wondering why they went the way that they did. If you can not have a decent discussion about a new warbird rolled out, then why are we here. You know what? Why am I here anymore?

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director

And I am not bashing you alone.

But when people bash something about someone elses airplane (or whatever) they ARE bashing the owner and the guy who did the work.

Ezell built that airplane up under the direction of Red Bull. Ezell obviously designed every modification required during the build-up, but everything was done for a reason.

Maybe Lockheed did not originally design something the best way back then because they did not know any better at that time. Maybe there are certain systems on the original airplane that are not the safest they could be in todays world.

Ezell and Red Bull pulled out all the stops and made this a great AND safer airplane, so you and I can see this thing for years to come.

OK, my humble input...this is a fantastic restoration of a fantastic part of our American history.

On behalf of my Pop, thank you!



60th FS, 33rd FG CBI, 1944-1945

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."