Val.
Sun Jul 25, 2004 2:52 pm
I know that the "Tora" birds have been discussed before, but, I just saw this in another thread ( Thanks Warhawk!), and didn't want to hijack the thread. Inquiring minds want to know. Does it still exist? How was the replica made? How close is it to the original?
Sun Jul 25, 2004 5:31 pm
I know of two real Val's ( I think) On is at Planes of Fame, mostly in pieces and the other is displayed un-restored in the Adm. Nimitz Museum in TX.
Others here are far more qualified to go into the making of the Tora birds.
Others here are far more qualified to go into the making of the Tora birds.
Sun Jul 25, 2004 6:15 pm
Hey OP.
The Plane waas owned bythe Late Gene Fisher. It was sold at one of the MOF auctions in the early 90s.
I'm not sure were but I think somewhere in the Midwest.
The Plane is from Tora Tora Tora and was one of the few that the CAF did not get.
Cheers The Col.
The Plane waas owned bythe Late Gene Fisher. It was sold at one of the MOF auctions in the early 90s.
I'm not sure were but I think somewhere in the Midwest.
The Plane is from Tora Tora Tora and was one of the few that the CAF did not get.
Cheers The Col.
Sun Jul 25, 2004 8:03 pm
I think that this one is now owned by a gentleman in Philadelphia by the name of Ken Laird.
Mon Jul 26, 2004 6:17 am
Check out the downloads section for a list of the Tora birds. Search on Laird for the details of this airframe.
Mike
Mike
Re: Val.
Mon Jul 26, 2004 4:59 pm
O.P. wrote:I know that the "Tora" birds have been discussed before, but, I just saw this in another thread ( Thanks Warhawk!), and didn't want to hijack the thread. Inquiring minds want to know. Does it still exist? How was the replica made? How close is it to the original?
You're welcome O.P., nice to see someone get some use out of those old pics.
Mon Jul 26, 2004 5:12 pm
mrhenniger wrote:Check out the downloads section for a list of the Tora birds. Search on Laird for the details of this airframe.
Mike
Sounds cool, but, I can't find the downloads section. I've seen it before, I think, I guess I shouldn't of had that last beer.
Mon Jul 26, 2004 6:06 pm
O.P. wrote:mrhenniger wrote:Check out the downloads section for a list of the Tora birds. Search on Laird for the details of this airframe.
Mike
Sounds cool, but, I can't find the downloads section. I've seen it before, I think, I guess I shouldn't of had that last beer.
Here is the link...
http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.o ... loads.html
You can download the file from there. The Val section of the Tora list is the one section that needs more work once I find another source of information. There were only 9 airframe built for the movie (that figure was quoted in a number of sources), yet the list has 12. I believe one of the airframes in the list was converted after the movie. I suspect two others are duplicates of others in the list, but since they are only idenified by C/Rs and I don't have source of infor for the history of CRs, I won't be able to figure out which are duplicates.
Hope you find it useful. If you have any information to add let me know. I have an updated version, with a few minor updates, that I haven't bothered to send to Scott yet.
Mike
Tue Jul 27, 2004 3:07 am
darn Mike! You're hardcore! It's gonna take a couple ten days to absorbificate this info. If I get anything, I'll forward it. I'm interested in how they were put together. A short look at your .xls says they were/are BT13's with faired over landing gear. Do you (or anyone) know of a val resource on the internet that describes the dive brakes and the wing shape, powerplant, ect. I'm trying to put together the best dive bomber in my head, kinda thing. I'm leaning towards the JU-87, but that can't be made from a BT-13.
Tue Jul 27, 2004 6:03 am
O.P. wrote:Do you (or anyone) know of a val resource on the internet that describes the dive brakes and the wing shape, powerplant, ect. I'm trying to put together the best dive bomber in my head, kinda thing. I'm leaning towards the JU-87, but that can't be made from a BT-13.
I don't know if I can help you with construction type details. I remember seeing a scaled down Ju-87 replica back in 1996 (?) at the Wings of Eagles show at Batavia. It may have established a type definition for the FAA. Perhaps that is an option for you.
Regards,
Mike