Warbird Information Exchange

glad the pilot is safe.
B

As for the Parker Plane being a threat to the unlimiteds, I'd have some doubts about that? What is the fatest official lap Parker ever turned at Reno? I would be surprised if it was much over 400, whereas Bear, Strega, and Dago have been up around 490. ( I know they have computer updated to claim the course is now longer than it was so the speeds are higher, but I am using the genuine figures for speed that have been proven in the past. As for the Falconer, I seem to recall that the Falconer V-12 was proven in boat racing, before it was used in the Thunder plane. Am I incorrect on that? Did the Thunder guys originally rely on a new and unproven design for an engine? I also would be surprise if an engine designer would manufacture a whole new engine for a plane which was very speculative and unlikely to be a big market. I had one flight in the little Mustang and it was quite an impressive plane. If it was half the price and you did not have to build it I might own one.

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

Bill, my friend. Ryan was approached by the Thunder folks to develop an engine for their project. I believe that the firm order was for 50 engines. At the time, we had done a lot of development for Chevy on their V6 program, all 90 degree V8 technology but 4.4" to remove a section of the block. Ryan went the other direction, 8.8" longer to turn a V8 into a V12. The normally aspirated development was done in a Chevy Suburban as the engine was direct bolt in. Once base lined, dyno development and certification began. Gearbox development along with the designs of Thunder resulted. Ryan used his experience and connections to develop fuel and ignition control systems, etc.

It was only due to the reduced demand for the Thunder engine that he went back to his roots for additional market to make his investment pay off. He started years ago in Turbo 454's for off shore racing. This was a logical market yet off road, hot rod, etc. opened up many opportunities.

Ryan is a corner stone of the racing engine business and an innovator extrodinaire! If you wanted 2 HP/cube in the 70's, no problem. We used to build 650 HP 305's for the Formula 5000 series and they ran all day.

The Thunder, in my humble opinion, is a great aircraft. Power to weight, exceeds the original and if you have a Falconer supported engine system, you are in luck, my friend.

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

Sdenison, thanks for the correction on the Falconer, I recall asking about the engine when the Thunder came out and the marine side is what I remember, but you have more info. I wasn't really a customer for anything I had to build and I didn't look that deep into it. I was impressed with the plane, I'd love to fly one again, 45 minutes was all too brief. I have looked at and sat in a number of 51 or Spit replicas, but never had the chance to fly any of those. How many of the engines have been built and what is the price?

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

Bill,

I'd go to www.falconerengines.com for an update of where the engine is now. I think that the original run was 25 but not sure.

The Thunder Mustang site has some info as well and some kits, parts, and planes for sale. Too bad this project had never regrown legs since the Papa Mustang group failed.

Scott

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

Is there any word or preliminary reason of what caused the takeoff accident for the Thunder Mustang?

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

Posted yesterday on http://www.bluethunderairracing.com/home.htm. A truly freak accident.

As you all know by now, the Blue Thunder Air Racing Team suffered a devastating blow with the loss of Blue Thunder in a sage brush fire after an aborted take off on Labor Day, September 3, 2007. The decision to abort was based on an instrumentation failure. In the attempt to stop, the brakes over heated and became minimally effective. Standing beside her, watching Blue Thunder burn up was the most heart wrenching time of our lives. Blue Thunder may not have had a heartbeat but she had a soul, and the blood, sweat, and love that so many people have put into her made her something more than an inanimate object. The outpouring of condolences has been overwhelming, coming from thousands of Blue Thunder’s fans, friends, sponsors, competitors, and supporters. Many from sources we don’t know.

The question is, what is next for the Blue Thunder Crew? The crew and I have never looked back, never stopped, never given up, always supported any racing team when asked for help as well as all the Thunder Mustangs. So that is how things are going to continue. Thunder Storm 2007 is still on as well as 2008.

In the coming days and weeks we will be consulting with our friends and sponsors to clearly define a plan for the next Thunder Mustang. We are asking all of our fans and sponsors to stay with us as we go forward with our next project which will be a benefit for us all.

Thank you for your continued support,



John Parker
Blue Thunder Air Racing