Warbird Information Exchange

There's no reason for everyone to get wound around the axle here. August is definitely entitled to his opinion, just like anyone else. I don't necessarily agree with it, but that's MY opinion. See how that works?

John, there'll surely be folks that have something negative to say about The Red Tail project when it returns to the sky, but they'll be a small piece of the puzzle. Don't you think I had (and still have) my share of negative comments about the B-24 work we did? All you can do is the best work you can and press on. I'm not going to speak for Nelson and crew, but I reckon each one of them all have different opinions about every single project that's come out of their shop. Some may like certain mods, while others may not. Ultimately, it's up to the customer to decide how they wish to have their airplane built.

I reckon it's my fault that this discussion took such a strange turn, but all I was trying to do was to put some of the focus on the craftsmanship of the project and applaud Nelson and crew for the work they've done, rather than focus on the paint scheme or original scoops, or GPS units, or whatever.

Gary

scoops...pehaps a flash-back might help
http://www.p-38online.com/xp38.html
then look at the rest of them too

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Kind Regards,
Gary Lewis
J.A.F.O.

Too late! Scoops like that would have looked a lot better.

Gary, it's not your "fault" that WIX can be a tough crowd. Different reactions to different details and aspects of the restoration just go hand in hand with this being an educated, informed community of interest. We would sound like a bunch of high school kids if we just loved everything we saw. Doesn't mean it isn't appreciated.

August

Well, why don't we all throw our hands up and say "AlRighttttttttttt" another P-38 back in the air!! and we are all looking forward to seeing her in the Mag-o-zines Well Done Folks, Well Done. Thanks for saving her.
By the way August, checked out your photos....excellent1

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Kind Regards,
Gary Lewis
J.A.F.O.

Wonderful restoration, I've said it all along, hope I get to see it fly in person before it heads overseas. I just don't understand why they didn't paint it sea blue with Navy on the side. .... oops, there I go again

Two questions for anyone who may know

1. When do you think it will fly, if not already?

2. What is your opinion as to cost for a restoration of that magnitude?

Remember there are always three sides of an arguement -- your side, my side and the right side.

Alas.....most of use guys get to actually touch, see, feel, and fly Warbirds....around here I get to see them on the WWW, or in Mag-O-Zines, and rarely on the telebision. We have some old Aero-Coupes around here, but I've never seen one equipped with guns or external stores...So these I can't classify as a warbird....

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Kind Regards,
Gary Lewis
J.A.F.O.

WOW that's a P-38

Steve

Sorry to drag Lefty into this again but I had a question. Is Lefty still flying anything these days or has he hung it up ?

For cryin' out loud! Can't you guys respect each others' right to have an opinion that differs from your own, and just "agree to disagree"? Does every thread have to spiral downward into a silly pi$$ing contest? For Pete's sake, people! Get a grip!!!

Ahem. Okay, Dino. Slow, deep breaths. In and out. In and out. Much better.

Whether or not you like the way the completed airplane looks, there's no denying that Ezell Aviation's expert craftsmen did an absolutely stunning job of bringing a bent and broken P-38 literally back from the dead, and not only did they bring it nack, they put it into flying condition. Paint can hide a multitude of sins. Ever look at a "restored" classic car with a pretty paint job, only to discover that the body's full of Bondo? That highly polished skin showcases the Ezell crew's workmanship in a way that no kind of paint job, military-correct or civilian-flashy, could ever hope to do. Gary's right, guys 'n gals. Just take a moment to appreciate the incredible workmanship!

Cheers!

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Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Port Charlotte, Florida

After following its restoration, and seeing it now, I feel compelled to add my 2 cents worth.

I'd like to start by saying WOWWEE! (or should that be "YIPPEE"?)
I have always been a sucker for polished aluminium (ask any one of my friends, they'll tell ya).
Second, the P-38 is such a thing of beauty, whether its stock, modified for racing, or what we have here ,before us.
I too, have long appreciated the XP, YP (lack of) paint schemes, and this bird nails it to a "T", so I'm hard pressed to find anything to complain about.
I was SO impressed with these pictures, that I had to drag both of my young teenage sons over to the comuter, just to look at it in amazement over the hard work, dedication and and the love it took to creat such a machine.
I agree with Gary, that polished aluminium can be a PITA to maintain, but then again nothing else shows off the lines of an airplane as well, either.

I expect this example of craftsmanship, will receive its share of critics and admires over the years, but I for one appreciate the fact that it was saved from the scrap heap, and returned to the skies, for all to form their own opinions.

I only wish I had the chance to work in the enviroment that creats these works of art.....maybe some day!

Leon

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Phormer Phantom Painter

[quote="MX304"]Sorry to drag Lefty into this again but I had a question. Is Lefty still flying anything these days or has he hung it up ?[/quote]

Lefty bless his heart suffers from alsheimers and does not fly anymore.
August if ya look at old photos when lefty had it(check out the registry list!) those same kinda scoops(And believe me those were hidious!) were on it when he had it although smaller, we have just improved on that scoop and made it more functional and made it "flow" in to the surrounding skin.
It sure is fun watching you guys yammer on about these things, I'm with Gary in that it is nice to have so many oppinions here, although I myself don't agree with everybody it sure makes it fun to watch

Man that stinks. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

I have been following this project on WIX since the first posting and have truly enjoyed ALL the many pictures throughout the extremely complete restoration process. I have learned many things about restoration work as a result and sincerely thank both the owner and the restorer for sharing those pictures.
I also appreciate hearing the informed comments along the line by several posters who willingly share their knowledge with amateurs like me.
And, if I read my 1st person histories correctly from WWII, some of the a/c were actually polished by the ground crew (fighters - to make them more "slippery"), although not anywhere near as shiny as this gem is.
I look forward to seeing this a/c in the air sometime soon and am very happy that someone wanted to spend the money to do that AND share it with all of us.

As someone who has dabbled in fabrication and has drilled out a few rivets here and there, I agree with Gary and Django, this is a work of art in the craftsmanship dept. and my hat is off to the crew down at Ezell's!

Even if this thing was painted purple with pink polka dots (Pathfinder?) it would still be a tour de force in the craftsmanship dept.

As for the no livery deal, sometimes clean and simple is good. And with skin like that, who would want to cover it up?

The scoops work, they are functional and a part of the plane, leave them alone.

Ok, who wants the soap box?

Let me get my big spoon out and stir the pot a bit....



hmmm..scoops?!?


I think it's a wonderful airplane! (That's my flight simulator warbird pilot opinion and I'm sticking to it)

Seriously...It is a great community we have here and the diverse opinions are part of that greatness...If we can keep the acidity down to a low enough level it all works well.

Z

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Zane Adams
There I was at 20,000 ft, upside down and out of ammunition.
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