Warbird Information Exchange

I just noticed this airframe was registered with the FAA last week...
Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Republic P-47, s/n 42-25068 USAAF, c/n 21953, c/r N47FG

Is it returning to the U.S. or will it be operating in the U.K. with a U.S. civil registration?

Mike

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Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

I think the word on the street, is that it will be based at Friedkins ranch in Texas.

Andy Scott

The Fighter Collection seems to be downsizing.

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

It will be interesting to see where their Hellcat ends up if and when its sold.

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

Registered to Commanche Warbirds so yes, the Freidkins.

I'm in Aus, so a bit far from your rather large warbirding scene in the US, but man I love reading about it and working out who's who and who has what. This snippet from the above link though got me:

In 2005
To Tony Raftis, Melbourne VIC .

In 2005
Transported by ship.
Reported shipped to Australia, but resold on arrival

What the heck? An airworthy razorback could have been flying here...

I'm not sure that TFC is downsizing.

Of course, Stephen Grey announced in last July that he will not continue flying demo himself on meeting but will let others pilots, including his son Nick displaying the collection. (Stephen Grey will continue to fly but "off scene".
It's look to be a good decision (he's not so young)

After that, two planes were sold (The P47 "Snafu" and more recently the P40 to the Collings) so some peoples said that TFC is downsizing or closing their doors.

But if you look the complete list of planes TFC owned since it's creation, lots and lots of planes where buy, restored, fly and sold. Sometime after just a few years of ownership.

I think Stephen Grey is a great pilot but also a great businessman: if you want one of his planes, come with the good number and you have a possibility to come home with one or two very big box behind your car

The time will see what happen...

Concerning, the P47 : it was disassembled in late september but according poster on the Flypast forum who visit Duxford very frequently, the two boxes left Duxford at the end of the year, presumely heading to the US.
Sad to see the only flying P47 in Europe departing (and I never catch to see her )

I hope my US friends will see this bird on meeting : the Friedkin's looks to have a beautifull collection, but a part of their planes look to be kept on their ranch in Texas and not displayed in public events.

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Sorry for my bad English:-(

I wonder why it is registered as a TP-47G? I recall Curtiss building a single two-seat Thunderbolt designated TP-47G, but wouldn't Snafu just be a plain old P-47G?


Chappie

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Brrring. Dispersal? TWO SECTIONS SCRAMBLE!!

The G-model Thunderbolts were deemed unfit for combat and re-designated as TP-47Gs by the AAF when sent to the Training Command during WWII. Not to be confused with the two seat version....

Glad to see 25068 coming back to the states....it was my very first warbird ride back in 1985....

I glad too! Thanks to Ray Stutsman, this aircraft is the reason I love warbirds.

Hey Tim, have you talked to Ray in awhile? I got chat with him again a few years back about restoring Little Demon.

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Todd Brewer
A&P/IA & Inventory Manager-Purdue University Flight Maintenance

I just noticed a contributor uploaded some great shots of Snafu...



Mike

_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

Sad thing is, I bet we wont see it, Friedkins is like Rod Lewis, keeps his collection hidden. I only see one of Friedkins Mustangs every once in awhile leaving KHOU. I wish he would bring some of his planes to Wings Over Houston.

I saw 3 of their 7 Mustangs today at Chino...

I'm hoping they will bring "Snafu" to at least one Planes of Fame airshow before they tuck it away. The world's only two airworthy Razorbacks together would be worth the trip for me even if nothing else showed up!

Apropos of nothing, "Snafu" has a very brief cameo as background dressing for an airfield scene in the new film "Monuments Men," along with the B-17 "Sally B" and P-51 "Princess Elizabeth," and a C-47 or two. There's also a scene with a couple of Spits, which one of the characters is adorning with nose art. There are a few quick shots of flying Spitfires, which I assume are CGI.

SN

Seven Mustangs ?

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Sorry for my bad English:-(