Warbird Information Exchange

Conrad Huffstutler turned 21 a couple of weeks ago and soled his dad Mark's P-51D.
Not only did he do it in full uniform but he also lead a flight of 3 with 4 AT-6s tagging along.
Very cool
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2XQdlFoix4&feature=email

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Don't touch my junk!!

Awesome video. First off it is cool that at only 21 he is flying the Mustang. Second that he thought enough about it to dress in period clothing. Shows that he is really into it. Great job man. COngrats

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director

Congrats young man! Ok I know this topic has come up before but no one has answered it, what is the OFFICIAL number of p-51 pilots under 30???

a pretty savvy kid!!! most of us geezers & weezers will never reach that goal!! great that he put his heart into it with the ww 2 period togs!! congrats!!

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tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!

Yeah that is great! Wish I could even get a ride in one! lol... Some Day...

I do need to speak to the boy about the proper wear of the uniform & insignia tho- but at least he had the gumption to wear period pinks! Looked good for the most part

Robbie

Congrats to him! It's nice to see young people getting involved in warbirds. After all, THEY are the future of the warbird movement!

I don't know how many, but we know that Steve Hinton Jr. is one. There are a few more, but I forgot their names. I would guess there are less than a half dozen, at best!

Wow! How cool is that? Of course he is a little old in reality...

What a great video and what a great accomplishment. Was that Pops in the rear of the T-28? Pretty close formation on his first solo.

What was the camera plane. Who were the rest of the players? What a video to show his sons one day!

Reminds me a bit of Al Unser Sr. and Little Al from years gone by. Jr. once told his Dad at a sprint car race in Phoenix when he was 16, "Dad, everyone laughs at me because I'm so little."

Sr. said, "Son, when you are behind the wheel, you are as big as any of them."

Looks like this is an amazing Father/Son duo. My sincerest compliments and admiration! Naw, I'm friggin' jealous!!!

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

Funny how the original guys to pilot them were only in their very early 20s, and now very few of that age get to fly one! From front line defense to toy in only 70 years... (Of course I don't consider them toys- and am very happy that many fly for their museums, etc...)


Robbie

Just an awesome video!

Congratulations to that young man!

I wish my dad had a P-51 for me to fly ...and yes, I'm JEALOUS!!!! Congrats Conrad! Nicely done.

Zack

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Volunteer Coordinator/Curator - Military Aviation Museum - Virginia Beach, VA
"America's Flying Museum"
http://www.militaryaviationmuseum.org

i have the similar question,how many P-51 pilots under 30 are there out there who fly a Mustang that is NOT owned by a family member?
While it is quite a feat for Conrad Huffstutler to be able to fly a Mustang at 21, the process was almost certainly sped up by the fact that his father already owned a Mustang.Im curious as to how many young men are able to work their way up to flying a Mustang even though they cant afford one themselves?

Yes, true. But back then, the planes were "disposable", more or less. Now with their greatly increased value and historical worth, owners are much less willing to lend their warbirds to younger and presumably less experienced aviators, unless it's a part of the family, such as this case.

FYI, it's amazing how many young pilots and cadets were lost in training accidents flying those airplanes during the war years. If something like that happened in modern times, it would no doubt generate a Congressional investigation into safey practices. But, as they say, "necessity is the mother of invention". The war effort absolutely demanded new pilots and new technologies. When you are in a race to save the world, sometimes shortcuts have to be taken, and safety measures have to be relaxed.

Good question, Ethan. I can't think of any recent examples of that situation. There might be one, but I just don't know of any. I do remember that it was not uncommon all the way up until the 80's for warbird owners to let "youngsters" fly their airplanes. I think everything changed in the 90's, when the value of warbirds shot through the roof.

Thanks to all for all of the comments. It was a fun day that I will never forget. The clothing was put together about a week before the flight and I didn't have enough time to get everything right. Everyone has commented on my shoes but I tell them I would rather look bad than risk ground looping a mustang because of boots. I usually fly bare foot, except in warbirds. Dad was in the front of the T-28 and grandpa in the back. lead was Scott Slocums Bonanza at a whopping 150kts. After the solo I took my mom up for the first time with me in the mustang, she enjoyed it. Special thanks to my friend Jason Griffin who introduced me into warbirds in our T-6.

See ya, fly safe

Conrad

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Conrad Huffstutler

Stick around Conrad we can always use a good man around here
Oh and BTW....WELL DONE

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Don't touch my junk!!