Any P-40 experts care to comment on this image?

[Mark Allen M]

There are currently enough flying P-40's, and why would the BoB flight want one flying or not? I find it odd that everyone runs to the far end of the room to waving signs to 'keep the Lady Be Good' as she is but wants this equal example restored back to factory new and not pause to think about this time capsule laying undisturbed for nearly 70 years and what an impact it could have on viewers, people love the 'as found on the bottom' dioramas @ Pepsicola plus not knowing where the pilot is just adds to the mystery surounding it.

As I agree with the above, I do wonder what measures would be taken to preserve an aircraft such as this find. What steps are taken to preserve it to last a long time. As I agree with certain aircraft being preserved "as found" I've always wondered the process.

[bdk]

There are currently enough flying P-40's.

Who are you to decide how many we need of what? I haven't seen anything, anywhere on wix that says you have any experience with warbirds, P-40 or otherwise. What makes you think you should be judge and jury in this case?

Who are you to tell anyone on this board to not express their opinion? Please, do feel free to dazzle us with your expertise!

I agree, this one should be kept as is. Just touch up what has been done up to this point and leave it alone! Yes, there are plenty of P-40's out there and more coming out soon. One undisturbed original would be a nice thing to have.

As for the LBG, just let her go. We can't save them all.

Who are you to express your opinion about someone else expressing their opinion about someone else not being encouraged to express their opinion... Awwww... Never mind! This is too confusing.

[Baldeagle]

Good to have bdk back...
They are opinions people, all equally valid and frankly all equally irrelevant. The people who ARE making decisions about the P-40 are not checking WIX to see which way the wind blows. I like hearing what The Inspector and the others have to say (and might just stir the pot a little...)

And shame on FHC for ruining that time capsule Fw-190 by making it fly again!



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[Jollygreenslugg]

G'day folks,

And shame on FHC for ruining that time capsule Fw-190 by making it fly again!

Baldeagle, you're correct; opinions don't really count for much. Which is why I'm going to share mine! (boom tish!)

There's a meaning and poignancy attached to this particular P-40 which I believe wasn't there with the FHC Fw-190. The German pilot survived to be captured, so there isn't necessarily an element of human loss and suffering attached to that airframe (apart from what the German pilot may have experienced in captivity). While positive identification of the P-40 is yet to be made, there is at least evidence of struggle, with the radio and battery setup outside the aircraft, and the parachute where it was left. So, if positive ID shows that it was flown by a man who didn't survive, then that gives it a level of importance that would (for mine) make it far more important as-is.

I'm not sure how I'd feel if it turned out to have been flown by a man who was rescued. In that case, I'd still argue that there are plenty of flying P-40s around, so it has more of an educational role as is. I suppose, in all honesty, if I really look at myself, I probably also have more empathy for "one of us" than "one of them", so I'm not as concerned about the full story of the Fw-190.

I've hung around P-40s since the early eighties, so I may be a little jaded as to their status, as recreated and rebuilt machines. For me, the human story of life and death turns this particular P-40 from a wrecked piece of machinery to something which approaches a war grave. Both the Fw-190 and the P-40 are fascinating as untouched (when discovered) crashed aircraft. The P-40 almost certainly has another, more important, level of meaning.

But, opinions are opinions.

Cheers,
Matt

[Lightning]

Howdy All

What about this time capsule ship , the pilot still remains MIA

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/p ... 22687.html

This aircraft is now owned by "Jungle Bob"

Lightning

[Jollygreenslugg]

G'day folks,

What about this time capsule ship , the pilot still remains MIA

Frankly, I think it's a disgrace. And I say this, having known some of the people involved for over twenty-five years.

Cheers,
Matt

[Mark_Pilkington]

Hi all

Have also been given the OK to confirm that the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon. London are actively pursuing this P40 with the intention to recover and conserve. This is being dealt with at the highest levels.

As for it being recovered, it was still there yesterday

regards

Mark

Thanks to you Mark, and those at RAFM who approved you being able to confirm that the RAFM is actively pursueing it, it is very appropriate for this P-40 to be recovered, conserved and displayed in the UK "as is".

For those wanting more flying P-40's I'm confident existing and skilled restorers can produce a new metal P-40 from other remains still available elsewhere - without the need to access and consume a time capsule airframe like this.

It deserves to be conserved "as is" not only for its wartime service, but what also seems to be a tragic story of one pilot's fate lost in the desert, and of course the story of the airframe's hidden survival to the current time.

(BTW can we have the static ex-RAAF P40N back in Australia if the RAFM doesnt need it anymore - smiles)

regards

Mark Pilkington

[Wildchild]

If someone wants another flying P-40 you could copy the ID Tags from a scrapped one, and 'call' it a P-40, or go to a badly mangled wreck an get the tags. Here's my logic: George Washingtons hammer's head was changed 3 times and the Handle twice, but its still his hammer.

[wingman1]

If someone wants another flying P-40 you could copy the ID Tags from a scrapped one, and 'call' it a P-40, or go to a badly mangled wreck an get the tags. Here's my logic: George Washingtons hammer's head was changed 3 times and the Handle twice, but its still his hammer.

hear, hear! buy this man a beer!

[Baldeagle]

G'day folks,

And shame on FHC for ruining that time capsule Fw-190 by making it fly again!

Baldeagle, you're correct; opinions don't really count for much. Which is why I'm going to share mine! (boom tish!)


I suppose, in all honesty, if I really look at myself, I probably also have more empathy for "one of us" than "one of them", so I'm not as concerned about the full story of the Fw-190.

That thought crossed my mind also, it reminds me of the Hawker Hurricane project now at Jerry Yagen's, discovered in Russia with the pilot still in the cockpit, and I don't recall any groundswell of opinion to conserve it as a time capsule and not restore it to fly, even though it was actually the pilots final resting place for decades.

I was (obviously I hope) kidding about the Fw, hope to see it fly some day.

As for why the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight would want a Kitty Hawk, their mission is to commemorate all RAF pilots from WW2, isn't it? Their name is a throwback from when they were formed, I think, but not completely reflective of their mission-



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[Stoney]

Jerry has a second Hurricane?

[Baldeagle]

http://109lair.hobbyvista.com/DETAILSIT ... _z2768.htm




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[shepsair]

Gets worse I am afraid - more and more bits going missing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzkevVbZ ... ploademail



Feels like going to the pyramids and chipping bits of stone off!!

regards

Mark

[Wildchild]

They must think there is something Extremely important inside that cockpit...

[Dan Jones]

That's sad.