Bald Eagle Aviation

Jim Beasley · **Posted:** Wed Jun 09, 2010 11:51 am

Craig -- we must have missed this. Sorry. It had lots of corrosion all over and the lower longerons were showing significant wear from a repair made after it bellied in during one of the Thompson Trophy races. The issues were under the paint on the spar, in the wing, fuselage, etc. I think the only part that Rich didn't seize over when inspecting it was the vertical stabilizer. Everything else has had to be redone. jb

CraigBirkhold wrote:

Hi Rich, I guess I need to catch up a little bit. I remember seeing Frenesi during some restoration work (before paint) at Fort Wayne Air Service/John Dilley's shop many moons ago. At the time I figured that this P-51 would be in great shape for many years to come and was surprised and confused why it was undergoing another restoration again. I wanted to find out what event caused the need for the new restoration and rework. I don't know if the response is for public info, but I was just curious. I have always thought that Frenesi was one of the best and loved the dash panel! You and Jim are doing a great job with these warbirds. Did I just date myself? Thanks, Craig :roll:

CraigBirkhold · **Joined:** Mon Apr 02, 2007 9:51 pm **Posts:** 64

Jim, Thanks for your reply. When I saw Frenesi at FWAS I was only able to see the exterior and the cockpit. Of course beauty is only skin deep, and the real story always is beneath the primer coat. I'm glad you guys made the decision to tear it down before a major problem came to the surface. Are the any updated photos of it since it left your place? Also, I wondered if you knew anything about how the rebuild of LOU IV was going in Canada? I was fortunate enough to be able to go up with John Dilley in it before it left Fort Wayne. I guess it is interesting keeping tabs on something that was a part of one's past. Keep up the good work! Best wishes, Craig

jasonp51d · **Posted:** Thu Jun 10, 2010 7:57 am

Jim/Rich

Really really pleased to see that Bald Eagle has had air under her wings again. She looks stunning.

Just wondered if you ever may consider changing the paint slightly on her? As you are probaly aware 361st FG machines never featured the blue camo - it should be OD like Chuck Cummins' Geraldine.

Not trying to be picky at all just thought that you have gone to so much effort in making her right in other ways that you may consider this change to make her more authentic?

(This is in no way a criticism and am really pleased to he see her flying in the group's markings)

Best wishes & thanks for sharing this wonderful thread!

Jason
http://www.361fg.com

51fixer · **Posted:** Thu Jun 10, 2010 9:25 am

jasonp51d wrote:

Jim/Rich

Really really pleased to see that Bald Eagle has had air under her wings again. She looks stunning.

Just wondered if you ever may consider changing the paint slightly on her? As you are probaly aware 361st FG machines never featured the blue camo - it should be OD like Chuck Cummins' Geraldine.

Not trying to be picky at all just thought that you have gone to so much effort in making her right in other ways that you may consider this change to make her more authentic?

(This is in no way a criticism and am really pleased to he see her flying in the group's markings)

Best wishes & thanks for sharing this wonderful thread!

Jason
http://www.361fg.com

The Paint Scheme originated with Jim's dad.
We'll see what the future holds for it.
Rich

oz rb fan · **Joined:** Fri Dec 17, 2004 8:33 am **Posts:** 474

[quote="51fixer"]Run up of the engine.
Started right up after pre oil-

when i asked for a mustang convertible i thought i'd see a ford :axe:

congrats on getting bald eagle back where she belongs

Jim Beasley · **Posted:** Thu Jun 10, 2010 12:45 pm

This is a tribute for my Dad. It's blue until I die or my wife takes it from me.

jasonp51d wrote:

Jim/Rich

Really really pleased to see that Bald Eagle has had air under her wings again. She looks stunning.

Just wondered if you ever may consider changing the paint slightly on her? As you are probaly aware 361st FG machines never featured the blue camo - it should be OD like Chuck Cummins' Geraldine.

Not trying to be picky at all just thought that you have gone to so much effort in making her right in other ways that you may consider this change to make her more authentic?

(This is in no way a criticism and am really pleased to he see her flying in the group's markings)

Best wishes & thanks for sharing this wonderful thread!

Jason
http://www.361fg.com

liore451 · **Joined:** Thu Jun 10, 2010 2:41 pm **Posts:** 2

Hello everybody,

I'm new on this forum but I follow this thread for a long time.
As an humble modeller, it's a wonderfull source of inspiration.
At the present time I'm adding details on the engine of the Airfix model (1/24 scale)
http://d.lancien.free.fr/V1650-7-1.JPG

I don't want to interfer but I wonder if it's possible to post a detail picture of the Stromberg injection carb.
I've found a picture of the type PD-12 on the Net but as far as I know the engine of the P-51D was fitted with the type PD-18.

Many thanks in advance and keep on posting pictures of these wonderfull warbirds

Jean-Christophe

jasonp51d · **Posted:** Thu Jun 10, 2010 5:32 pm

Apologies didn't realise the significance vis a vis your father.

She still looks stunning!

Thanks

Jason

www.361fg.com

Jim Beasley · **Posted:** Thu Jun 10, 2010 6:16 pm

No worries -- when he was around I always gave him grief for the wrong color. Now I kinda like it :?:

jasonp51d wrote:

Apologies didn't realise the significance vis a vis your father.

She still looks stunning!

Thanks

Jason

http://www.361fg.com

Airplanejunkie · **Posted:** Thu Jun 10, 2010 6:49 pm

Jim Beasley wrote:

Don't worry. Rich has been looking to annual the L4. Anyone have a time machine I can borrow? I need to get to 2011 to fly it again

See if he can hold off long enough to let you bring it up to Eagles Mere on June 19th or July 17th.

(When I was over there a month or so ago, he was muttering something about "...yards of Ceconite.....)

51fixer · **Posted:** Thu Jun 10, 2010 8:00 pm

Airplanejunkie wrote:

Jim Beasley wrote:

Don't worry. Rich has been looking to annual the L4. Anyone have a time machine I can borrow? I need to get to 2011 to fly it again

See if he can hold off long enough to let you bring it up to Eagles Mere on June 19th or July 17th.

(When I was over there a month or so ago, he was muttering something about "...yards of Ceconite.....)

Steve,
I think it was ".....gallons of dope....".
Turns into a pumpkin on July 1.
I think I understand this message as an offer to help.
Accepted.
See you in the morning.

Rich

Airplanejunkie · **Posted:** Thu Jun 10, 2010 10:05 pm

51fixer wrote:

Steve,
I think it was ".....gallons of dope....".
Turns into a pumpkin on July 1.
I think I understand this message as an offer to help.
Accepted.
See you in the morning.

Rich

Be careful what you ask for... :wink:

BTW: I think the yards of Ceconite come first, then the gallons of dope, but I'll check to be sure.....

richkolasa · **Posted:** Mon Jun 14, 2010 9:05 am

Jim Beasley wrote:

This is a tribute for my Dad.

Great to hear that. She's unique and beautiful.

Rich

51fixer · **Posted:** Thu Jun 17, 2010 9:40 pm

Some shots from Sunday when the Horsemen flew in from Indy-

Rich

Django · **Posted:** Fri Jun 18, 2010 10:36 am

I really enjoyed the Horsemen at Indy. Thanks guys.

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