Warbird Information Exchange

say what you will about Diemert, but some of the airplanes he "rescued" are now in some very prominent museums, restored to their former shape and form.
I admire Soplata and especially Mr. Maloney. They bought scrap metal at scrap metal prices and waited until it became worth a lot of money to others. Both Mr. Soplata and Mr Ed. Maloney have sold off a few items to individuals building collections and that had the financial wherewithal to restore them to their highest level and to be available for the public to view and admire. Look at the former Maloney Me-262 or Soplata's F2G, B-25, and the F-82 that will someday fly again.
We're not talking old Mu-2 carcasses, we're talking about the basis of a restoration of the most sought after of all collectible airplanes, the P-51. After thirty years he needs to either sell it, send it to a shop and spend a couple of million getting it back into new condition, or abandon the idea and quit telling folks he is doing any restoration work at all.

Ya got a "couple of million" you want to donate to the project?

And just how do you know he's not doing any restoration work? Have you seen the project lately or talked to John lately?

_________________
"They can teach MONKEYS to fly better than that"

http://www.heritageflight.org
http://www.bravo369.org

I would have to agree that it's Mr. Morgan's project to do what ever he feels needs be done with it. He didn't aquire it at or for anyone's schedual but his own. Marine Air, I feel your frustration but we don't get to make the call. How is an aircraft owned as private property ANY different than ownership of a rare gun or coin?

_________________
Charles Neely

Well, I am actually building my "war chest " to someday buy a couple of warbirds. But even if it was at the 2 million mark, I would not be the best owner for an XP-51G or anything that rare. I like to fly too much and would buy something that I can fly with a lot more frequency and can get back and forth between airshows. The XP should be restored in complete originality as much as possible, with original instrument panel,etc. It should be flown only occasionally, like the H models and A models out there. It would have limited airshow appeal because it isn't as recognizable to the public as say a D model and doesn't have a combet history.
As a kid I got to see the XP-51 fly at Oshkosh, got to see theWhittington's newly restored H fly before it was smashed at Reno, and remember how special Pete Regina's "B" model was when it was the only Birdcage model P-51 "anything" flying. I even remember,(but didn't see fly) when there was an airworthy twin Mustang and a couple of PA-48 Enforcers flying out there!
As an enthusiast it's indeed frustrating to see someone "sit" on a special aircraft. There are people out there with very deep pockets and shops with very gifted mechanics that provide a window of opportunity to put it back into a complete and even airworthy condition.
I remember, just 25 years ago,when there wasn't that level of expertise out there. WHo's to say those metalsmiths won't find something else in the next 25 years they can make even more money at? Like breathing life back into old Citations, Falcons, Hawkers or Gulfstreams where the profits are much bigger. The talent pool could actually move away from the warbirds at some point.

The idea that this project is being held hostage from rich people is being dramatic. Mr.MORGAN found it purchased it,and from what I hear has been working on it. The fact that you dont like his timetable is just tough.

There's another thing too. Some people love airplanes and flying, not so much. Don't get me wrong. I loved to fly my 50 hp Aeronca every chance I could and will probably fly the pants off my Luscombe, if she ever gets done (definitely no deep pockets!!). When I get airborn, I am pretty much VERY happy to be there. But I have come to the conclusion that I'm happiest when I'm working on the machines, or helping a friend prop his, etc. We built some custom gear leg fairings for another friend's Luscombe the other night and the flush riveted TE really got me thinking about a Mustang project of my own...

It's been said that mechanics often make good pilots, but more often than not good pilots make terrible mechanics. I think it stems from an inate appreciation for the the machine rather than a hot shot display of flying.

It's been my experience that owner/operators of classic aircraft, DO NOT show their aircraft with the opinion of the general airshow attendee in mind. I would expect that should a fully restored XP-51G appear at ANY airshow or weekend outing, the other pilots and knowledgeable people attending would go absalutely nuts.

_________________
Charles Neely

Just over a decade on from the last post in this thread, and having just reread the entry on it in Paul Coggan's 30yo book Mustang Survivors: any updates on this intriguing project?

_________________
Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG".
https://linktr.ee/zacyates

"It's his plane, he spent the money to restore it, he can do with it what he wants. I will never understand what's hard to comprehend about this." - kalamazookid, 20/08/2013
"The more time you spend around warbirds the sooner you learn nothing, is simple." - JohnB, 24/02/22

Yup, still not flying!

All kidding aside, I too would like to know the latest

Not much in the way of details, but Curtis has pictures of the project from the GOML in '07

MustangsMustangs

_________________
remember the Oogahonk!
old school enthusiast of Civiltary Warbirds and Air Racers

facebook page; Project XP-51G Mustang

_________________
remember the Oogahonk!
old school enthusiast of Civiltary Warbirds and Air Racers

Good news! I heard an unconfirmed rumor that Mr. Morgan wheeled his wooden wheelchair over to the fly market where he was able to procure a tote sack of rivets for $12 whole dollars. Thenceforth,with tobacco stained hands, he proceeded to purchase a hand tool, made in China that he said was "nifty", for ten silver dollars from his money belt.
Emptying his coin purse, spreading his funds out on a linen handkerchief, he thenceforth put the aforementioned's plug tobacco back into his watch pocket,wherefore he raised another $20. "Dispensing significant coinage" (his words) procuring two "RR" decals to place on the engine cowlings when the project is finished soon. With tobacco stained finger pointed skyward, he proclaimed "jumping G willikers! "The G will be flying soon! Back where she belongs!"

A couple of things...first the 5 blade prop exists. I think the Whittington Brothers have it as it was on their H model for awhile. I, too, would like to see this completed.
The next item really perplexes me. When someone suggested that maybe he should sell it and let someone else finish it, there were some comments along the lines "it is his, it is his to do with what he sees fit", or something like that. Now, I have read many posts on this forum where someone calls a warbird owner to task because the markings aren't accurate, the markings were used on a different model of the plane, the colors are wrong, the name is wrong, etc., etc. The most recent was when Chuckie was renamed. Seems strange to me that is it is okay to belittle someone on their choice of paint schemes, but suggest that someone get rid of a project....well as George Takei would say, "Oh my!"

Indeed the Whittington's did operate their P-51H with the 5-blader for a time. It came to an end when the aircraft was belly landed while operating with said prop. I don't imagine blades are easy to come by. Pictures of the aircraft with the 5 blader prior to the unfortunate accident can be seen at AAFO.

http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showthre ... OTS/page34

PS - Seems I could be in error on the above information and the accident took place PRIOR to installing the 5-blader. Anybody know for sure? The memory ain't what it used to be!

PPS - Doh! Seems MustangsMustangs has my answer! http://www.mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/im ... 63/5151/19

The Coggan book had the prop as rumoured to be with the Whittingtons, but that was in 1987 so I figured that must've changed!


Thanks Lon. Turns out I already "Like" that page!


Am I missing something? This is a really weird post.

_________________
Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG".
https://linktr.ee/zacyates

"It's his plane, he spent the money to restore it, he can do with it what he wants. I will never understand what's hard to comprehend about this." - kalamazookid, 20/08/2013
"The more time you spend around warbirds the sooner you learn nothing, is simple." - JohnB, 24/02/22

Glad I'm not the only one who thinks so! I just figured it was an inside joke aimed at those who know something of Mr. Morgan and/or his mannerisms. It could be surmised from the post that Mr. Morgan makes use of a wheelchair, is a regular tobacco user, and is quite optimistic that "the G will be flying soon". If nothing else I really hope that last part is true!