Warbird Information Exchange

Does this qualify for what is known as a Hotfoot? will spray for athletes foot put out the flames?

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"WHAT ME WORRY?"

Howdy All

Any news or pics of Paul Allen's B-25 paint job yet guys ?

Lightning

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S.

You've got to love Chino...the only place in America where wrbirds are as common as Cessnas...and get about the same attention.

What's that...another Mustang?

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

Speaking of Mustangs and Chino, has N5420V (44-74202) flown yet/soon? (Just curious)

Again, thank you for making me do an internet search on the serial number when you could have just said, "Jack Croul's latest Mustang."

No, it has not yet flown if it is the one I'm thinking of, and probably will not for a few months yet.

Yes, Jack Croul's second Mustang, should have simply sated that as you say...lesson learned.

Based on the last line in JohnB's post, the thought of this aircraft came to mind once again - it looked very complete at last year's Planes of Fame show, though I know as of late it has been at Fighter Rebuilders I believe. I enjoyed following the restoration while updates were being posted to the Allied Fighters web site.

Thank you BDK for the feedback!

No harm done John, it's just funny when someone asks for help but the question is in the form of a riddle!

Since the plane is so highly polished, I understand that all new fairings will be made to allow the best result posible.

If I am ever around a Mustang with a close friend/relative who hasn't been up-close in person before with one, I like to make it a point to show them those fairings, especially the forward cowl into wing leading edge fairing, but other fairings as well such as the 'elephant ear' at the trailing edge. Some amazing metal work/craftsmanship can be seen in those specific regions, which can often be 'gazed over' if trying to take in the entire aircraft as a whole. I look forward to seeing the finished results - last year it looked like it could easily be an art exhibit if not for at one time produced as a fighting machine!

I'll look forward to hearing how things 'pick up' regarding warbird activity at Chino as well, as the big show approaches.

Here are a couple shots March of this year:

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Scott Greenfield

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S.

Speaking of the big show. It has occurred to me that with the aircraft already listed as participating, they are in a position to put up the following cool formation at the show:

Spitfire
Zero
Fw 190 rep.
Yak-3 rep.
P-51 (or some other US fighter)

This would one-up the Spit-Zero-Buchon-Mustang formation that POF once did in the early 90s. I don't think a 5-nation WW2 fighter formation like this has ever been done.

Just hoping they don't get so wrapped up in the USN scheme that this opportunity slips by.

August

John,

Great observation. The wing and tail fairings are the labor intensive and very tricky to make and make well. As far as I know, nobody has built the forms and dies to stretch and press them out...probably never will at this point. The best guy in the business making them with an E-wheel and P-hammer is Bill Yoak. I'm not sure there is anything he can't make by hand and do it perfectly...a true craftsman. I'm told by those who have made them that the shoulder fairings are the most difficult with the butterfly's (Elephant ears as you call them) being a close second. I'll have to take the word of the guys who've made them since with my limited experience I'm sure all I could manage to make is a freaking potato chip.

Pay close attention to the welds on the shoulder and butterfly's as well (Wing and horizontal tips too). Back in the day these welds were performed with a gas torch -not an easy task- and were extremely small and incredibly perfect...almost like a piece of yarn laying on the surface of the part. Today most guys TIG weld them which produces a much wider and flatter weld zone. If you see one that has no weld on it, it's probably not metal...give it the gentle tap test when nobody is looking to reveal the cheaters...

John

Spitfire
Zero
Fw 190 rep.
Yak-3 rep.
P-51 (or some other US fighter)

This would one-up the Spit-Zero-Buchon-Mustang formation that POF once did in the early 90s. I don't think a 5-nation WW2 fighter formation like this has ever been done.

Just hoping they don't get so wrapped up in the USN scheme that this opportunity slips by.

August[/quote]

Good point August... A formation like that would be fricking awesome... Plus like you said - don't think it's ever been done...
Mike