Warbird Information Exchange

The editon of FlyPast on the news stands here has a blurb from Frank Mormillo (sp?) concerning the CAF P-82. He says the ownership issue has been resolved and it will remain with the CAF! Great news, but I was surprised that a British mag had the scoop. Can anyone confirm this info?
I hope I did not let a twin tail suprise from Gary Austin out of the bag....

With Gary's admitted dislike (ok maybe that's too harsh a word) for the Merlin engine maintainance schedule, he surely could not look forward to anything requiring two of them to be running at the same time. Not to mention the other bits of that bird that are made of 100% unobtanium.

I don't think you did. The P-82 has been visible in the background of some of Gary's postings.
Jerry

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

After just returning from Midland from Winter Staff, unless this has happen since Saturday, we were told by Bob Rice that the issue is NOT resolved.

Mike Hogan
National Capitol Squadron

I thought they were Allisons... That makes them 'Merican, so Gary should like working on them...

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REMEMBER THE SERGEANT PILOTS!

Whatever happened with the Tom Cruise connection which was announced several months ago. Or is he now to busy being a flake for the news media.

It wouldn't be the first time the membership of the CAF was mislead. My monies on the British rag.

Is it even possible to keep two Merlins running at the same time?

Forgotten Field...I don't know the complete history of the Twin Mustangs, but I'm pretty sure that the early ones (like the P-82 here) all had Merlins. When the "Great Twin Mustang Mechanic Walkout" occurred, the government and North American Aviation was forced to put real engines on the airplane. And although it was determined that the R-2800 (or any other round engine of comparible horsepower) would have been the obvious choice, they opted to stay with the steam powered engine, and the new, 2200 h.p. Allison was the direction they went on future Twin Mustangs.

You believe all of that, right?

Gary

To answer your question, the ownership debate has not yet been resolved. The CAF has initiated a law suite against the USAF to determine ownership and put this issue to rest once and for all. Win or lose, at least it will be a done deal and the CAF can move forward and put its energy to better use. The individual who has offered to pay for its restoration has also agreed to cover all of the legal cost incurred during this process.

Steve be nice. Your condescending remarks about Tom Cruise are not warranted or desired on this or any other public forum.

John

i don't think his postings are gay

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Jeff

OOPS!
Sorry about that GARY!
It was almost 1:00am when I posted that and I guess my fingers slipped.
Jerry-The Embarassed!

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

Not that there's anything wrong with that . . .

John wrote:


John...Don't know whether that was sarcasm or not. If it was, please let me know before I respond with something harsh.

Mudge the curious

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Land of the free because of the brave

First off, just to set a record straight in my book, I met Tom Cruise once, and he was very nice to me. He has a restored P-51D which is named Kiss Me Kate, and is beautiful. Why would it be so wrong or bad for Tom Cruise to want to be involved in the CAF's P-82? God knows if I was in his position that I would be wanting to do some stuff like that as well. Instead of knocking the guy for his personal beliefs, we should be thankful that someone wants to come forward and dump a little money into a rare warbird restoration. Now the news with the P-82 and the NMUSAF is interesting. It is going to comedown to who owns it. If the NMUSAF owns it, she will never fly again. I do not know anything of the details, so I am not even going to venture a guess of what is going on.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director

That's not entirely true. There are several instances were AF Museum aircraft have gone on to fly again. Thank god the NMUSAF doesn't demill their own aircraft.

-The Lackland HU-16

-The Mk. XIV Spit now flys in NZ

-The Buchon 109 I belive is flying now.

And these aircraft, to name a few, were repatriated to the skies through trades with the museum. Perhaps the CAF needs to work out a deal if possible for something the Museum wants.

I don't know about now, but when I worked there the Museum had a flyable T-6 parked on Wright-Patt's ramp for the curator's use.

Shay
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Semper Fortis