Lefty Gardner

[soko121]

Lefty is the reason i am in this country as he "sponsored" my family to emigrate in the early eighties. I lived at Old Rebel Field for a time.

I will be landing at Kerrville around 12 30 today if anyone needs a ride call my cell 512 848 0409
Simon
Viking N39866

[BCalmes]

Funny story about the Sacramento pick up... I had been told that he had never flown a P-38 before flying out of Sacramento that day.

But I'd like to clarify that the P-38 in Sacramento was N1107V (44-53087, now in Oshkosh), not N25Y (44-53254, White Lightnin'). Once in a while, some confusion pops up about that.

[aerojock]

Funny story about the Sacramento pick up... I had been told that he had never flown a P-38 before flying out of Sacramento that day.

But I'd like to clarify that the P-38 in Sacramento was N1107V (44-53087, now in Oshkosh), not N25Y (44-53254, White Lightnin'). Once in a while, some confusion pops up about that.

From the old CAF Blue book I have and the warbird registry here N1107V was the first P-38 picked up in 1961 from Sacramento. N25Y was purchesed from Vernon Thorpe in 1964 because it had a fighter nose and N1107V was then sold.

Jim

[BCalmes]

...and N1107V was then sold.

And the buyer was yet another aerial photo company, not a warbird collector. She was back on the job...

[soko121]

Yesterday i experienced the extremities of this life we live in and especially aviation. It was a beautiful clear day here in central texas. We took off from Georgetown and flew to Kerrville for Lefty's Funeral. You could not have asked for a more perfect day for such. The Viking cruised along in the smooth air allowing for reflection and remembrance. Lefty and Sharon Sponsored my Parents to emigrate here in the late 70's. My dad was ferrying old warbirds across the pond from England to the states and decided to move in '79. It took 4 years of paperwork and we arrived at Old Rebel Field in may 1983. What a Place!, we lived with Lloyd Nolen and my dad worked for Lefty. I spent all my time in the hangars also making as much airplane noise as possible. My ( to date) only flight in a mustang was also with Lefty in the back of Thunderbird, this type of event tends to seriously effect a 13 year olds mind!!!! and i will forever be grateful for that ride.
Being around Lefty and Lloyd was a most memorable experience and i believe that most of us owe much if not all to the dedication and patriotism of these 2 ( and of course the others) that started the CAF.
I did not realize that lefty flew 34 missions in B-17's and B-24's, then volunteered for secret duty flying supplies into Sweeden and occupied territories for another 12 missions, also that he was highly decorated.

Many old friends gathered yesterday, i met people that i had not seen in 5, 10, and 25 years!, so good to reconnect. The funeral was well attended and all who spoke did so eloquently, Ladd especially. The video that was shown of lefty is online and is probably the most beautiful marriage of music and flying that i have seen. Silence and sniffles were all that you could here after it finished.
After the service all exited outside whereby a 4 ship of 3 mustangs ( including Thunderbird) and "White Litnin" ( in new red bull guise) provided 3 passes with the '38 pitching out to the west for missing man on the 3rd.
a final tribute and no better plane to see it through.
And so as old friends parted ways again, we climbed back into the Viking and a equally satisfying short trip back to Georgetown. Let us not forget these veterans regardless of nation served, their stories must be told and passed on. Thank you veterans old and young, Thank you Lefty, that i may live and fly in this great country, Godspeed.

Simon Diver

[Neal Nurmi]

Thank you Simon -- I think many of us wish we could have been there to pay our respects to a great man...

[Robbie Stuart]

I have been away since before Christmas with no internet. I just found out about Lefty today. He was the kind of man that legends are made of. I was fortunate enough to work on White Lightening, & spend some time with Lefty back in the early 80's. Blue skies & Godspeed Lefty!
Robbie

[Lynn Allen]

Simon, Wayne and I saw your Viking on the ramp and looked for you at the church. Yes, you couldn't asked for a better weather as many stories were told about him to a full house and Kevin Raulie led the missing man formation afterward. After I departed the airport I circled the church one more time for Lefty. He will be missed by all........

Lynn

[cadet77]

Lefty Gardner in his P-38 at the Phoenix 500




We owe much to his endeavor to keep the memory of those that served alive in his many flights of the P-38 at air shows nation wide.
God speed sir. We will not forget.

Last edited by cadet77 on Fri Jan 02, 2009 11:57 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Canso42]

Another of the truly great ones has passed. My deepest condolences to his family.

Godspeed Lefty.

[Neal Nurmi]

Thunderbird...