Speaking of Paul Allen..........

Pat Carry · **Posted:** Thu Dec 22, 2011 9:16 pm

Does he or doesn't he own the P-61 from China? Is it top secret similar to Operation Fortitude?

Rocketeer · **Joined:** Wed Jan 26, 2011 6:16 pm **Posts:** 195

That might explain why it may have been taken off of display in Beijing.

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Thu Dec 22, 2011 9:37 pm

Or caved in on itself

p51 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 22, 2011 11:35 pm

I'm sure we'll find out either way the day after he reveals his B-17 restoration and starts showing it in public. :roll:

At this rate, that'll be probably sometime around 2021...

kalamazookid · **Posted:** Thu Dec 22, 2011 11:52 pm

There have been rumors for awhile that Paul Allen has acquired that P-61 but I've never heard it confirmed. Until I see/hear it confirmed from someone at FHC, I'm going to remain skeptical. I've heard the asking price was astronomical considering the condition it's in, and the Beijing museum was very reluctant to part with it to begin with. Considering that these rumors first surfaced a good 6-7 years ago and nothing has been confirmed since, I find it hard to believe that the aircraft has actually changed hands. Although some warbird folk are good at keeping secrets...

I'd love to see the P-61 get the attention it deserves, whether that's in China or somewhere in the US. It's too rare of an aircraft to be sitting outside. I'd be perfectly OK with it staying in China if it meant a proper restoration and indoor display. Maybe someone with deep pockets will step forward and help the aircraft get the TLC it needs.

tom d. friedman · **Posted:** Fri Dec 23, 2011 4:52 am

his russian sturmovik is a 1st class restoration. saw it in the latest issue of air classics. as for the black widow, i hope he does have it. mr allen is the walter soplata with money & foresight, & the means to get these ultra rare birds in the condition they deserve.!!

Chappie · **Joined:** Wed Dec 19, 2007 9:40 am **Posts:** 990

Wow, this is news to me. How did this P-61 end up in China? As for P-61s in general we'll have one flying in a few years in Reading. A combat vet to boot if I'm not mistaken.

Chappie

P51Mstg · **Joined:** Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:36 am **Posts:** 1202

Reading.... at age 53 I hope to see it fly... We shall see..

Mark H

John Dupre · **Posted:** Fri Dec 23, 2011 6:54 pm

Chappie wrote:

Wow, this is news to me. How did this P-61 end up in China? As for P-61s in general we'll have one flying in a few years in Reading. A combat vet to boot if I'm not mistaken.

Chappie

My understanding is that P-61s were based in China post war and as the Nationalist forces collapsed where they were based the Communists captured the airfield and refused permission for the US to remove the aircraft. There were at least two then circa 1946-48. I heard in the late 1990s that there were still 2 P-61s in China but have never seen that second one confirmed anywhere.

Chappie · **Joined:** Wed Dec 19, 2007 9:40 am **Posts:** 990

John Dupre wrote:

My understanding is that P-61s were based in China post war and as the Nationalist forces collapsed where they were based the Communists captured the airfield and refused permission for the US to remove the aircraft. There were at least two then circa 1946-48. I heard in the late 1990s that there were still 2 P-61s in China but have never seen that second one confirmed anywhere.

Okay, thanks John.

Chappie

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Speaking of Paul Allen..........

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