Warbird Information Exchange

I know in collector cars nothing starts a heated debate as to what represents the restoration of a car vs. a " rebody ". How much of the original structure is needed to be able to claim the car is " original ". I doubt anyone will ever agree.

I only have the lowly ( as warbirds go ) L4. It was rebuilt from J 3 configuration back to L 4. A purist will note the shade of OD and gray are not correct, some of the lettering is not the right color. Some of the markings are not quite correct and there are a few other issues a purist could pick out. But to 99% of the people out there they want to know " is it real ? " and was it in the war. Yes and no. Past that no one really cares. I suspect it is the same way in the higher end warbirds. It is important to a few but most simply see a rare WW 2 plane which in itself is special regardless.

So while others debate the issue I will just fly mine and enjoy it and share it with others who show interest in it. I dont feel like I own the plane but rather I am the latest in hopefully a long line of persons who will operate it and share the history of the plane and the guys that flew them. I am lucky.

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Flying Piper L4-J 45-55209

I really like your outlook Russ.
I too am fortunate enough to operate at the trainer end of the spectrum. (Tiger Moth)
It is not perfect. It is safe and it is airworthy. It will be flown regularly, so it will get dirty, be covered with bugs and probably even get the occasional bobo.
I too, am one, in a line of custodians, of this piece of history. (Living history) I really like the term custodian. Hopefully this aeroplane will be flying long after I am gone!
I have respect for those who strive for perfection, as well as the folks who spend time researching that level of accuracy and perfection.
The bar of accuracy in restorations is astoundingly high, partly because of people who research accuracy to such a degree. Even though there are some who scoff at such thoroughness, the end result is people learn more and more.

Perhaps, one day, we will live in a world where there are no more powder blue P-51's (Jim Beasley and Bald Eagle get a free pass)

Andy Scott