Warbirds with the longest-term single owner?

[JDK]

Just wondering what warbirds can put a claim in for having been owned by one single owner for the longest?

I'd guess contenders would have to have been acquired at least in the 1960s, and still in the same hands. While static machines are important too, for the purposes of the question, let's just consider aircraft that have been active for that period (excluding overhauls, seasonal layups, and repairs).

Let's stick to private individuals, rather than businesses, museums and armed forces, although that might be another discussion if people want.

Could be a long thread...

[Chris Brame]

How about David Dorosh's Canso CF-NJL? He's owned it since 1961.

[Mike]

It's hard to draw the line between Museums and private collectors (many of whom set their collections up as 'museums' for tax purposes) IMHO, James. I'd class several of the 'Planes of Fame / Ed Maloney airframes as long-time single-owner aircraft.

George Maude's P-40 must be near the top of any such list (owned since 1946!) - not airworthy though.

And I guess that some of Richard Shuttleworth's early acquisitions fall outside your definition too?

[EDowning]

Well, as usual I can remember part of what I am looking for....what is the name of the Colorado based Mustang owner who also had a Gnat? Mike? I've only talked to him a dozen times and still can't remember his name, he has had his mustang @40 years, I think. Vlado has had his a long time, as has Mike George. I'm sure someone here has all the exact details. (Maybe even some serial #s to go with it)

[JDK]

It's hard to draw the line between Museums and private collectors (many of whom set their collections up as 'museums' for tax purposes) IMHO, James.

Very fair point Mike, particularly with the tax element. However, I don't see any problem differentiating one person's aircraft that become a museum or collection run by, paid for and used by a group or a board, rather than one person's own aircraft operated by that person throughout. So the wonderful efforts by Maloney and Shuttleworth, for instance, I have no problem as 'not qualifying' as they aren't operated by a person but by a trust or museum today.

Not to detract from those efforts, and in many cases setting up a museum or trust is the best way of perpetuating the future operation of the machine.

Maybe we should ask which aircraft has had all its fuel bought by one person!

I guess any answers welcome, then, as vague or precise as you can manage...

[Mike]

Mike Coutches P-51H (1966) and P-51D (1969)

Tom Wood's P-51D (1969)

[PeterA]

I too was going to say Tom Wood and his P-51 N6306T. I remember seeing at Transpo in 1972 for the first time.

Connie Edwards is regarded as the longest private owner of a Spitfire but of course it is non-operational.

PeterA

[T J Johansen]

George Perez N51GP (also 1966). When restoration is finished it should start flying from Schellville according to Chris Prevost.

T J

[daveymac82c]

Not a flyer, but maintained in running condition until recently is the beautiful P-40 owned by George Maude of Victoria, BC.

He's owned it since 1946.

I'm sure Glenn Maude who's on WIX can fill you in with quite a bit more.

I suppose it doesn't count because it isn't flown, and does not require much fuel.

But, I think that's a pretty long time to own an airplane...


Cheers,

David

[T6pilot]

My parents, Henry and Dorothy Best purchased our T-6G (AF s/n 49-3404, NAA c/n 168-528, N9883C) on April 1st of 1966. They based the airplane on a friend's private strip in Port Washington, Wisconsin, until the early 70's when the airpane became inactive. After spending 15 years rebuilding the airplane and getting it flying again 7-4-98 (on my dad's birthday) I have maintained and flown it over 800 hours since. While this pales in comparison to George Maude's P-40 ownership, I think it is a significant ownership history, at least in my family.

FYI, Steve Gustafson of the AeroShell Aerobatic Team flies the AT-6F that his father Merele Gustafson purchased in 1963.

Jon Staehling of Woodstock, IL has an SNJ-6 that his father purchased in 1963 and a Harvard 4 that his father purchased from the RCAF in 1966.

Carl Best

[Stoney]

in CO that would be Mike Bertz, P-51D 1969

[Mike]

Not a flyer, but maintained in running condition until recently is the beautiful P-40 owned by George Maude of Victoria, BC.

He's owned it since 1946.

See post 3 above!

[John-Curtiss Paul]

My Dad (John Paul) and his P-40E since 1966.