Looking for T-6G 51-14862.

[pilot06]

I'm trying to locate T-6G 51-14862, any leads greatly appreciated. Ex-Portuguese Air Force tail number 1674.

PC

[mike furline]

You lost it again? You really need to get a leash for this plane. viewtopic.php?f=3&t=65022

Let me begin by saying when I initially posted about my T-6 the situation was fluid, with information on the who and the where, being purposely withheld from me. I reached as far and wide as possible to find my T-6 and to alert an unsuspecting buyer, that is was sold under false pretenses and was never supposed to be sold.

That being said, I need correct a few things here. My T-6 has been located and while I haven't personally spoken to the buyer, through my friends in the T-6 community, I have learned that the opportunity came to him and purchased based on the information he had at the time. In all likelihood, he saved it from being scrapped as my ex and her father had threatened to do.

Simple truth of the matter, my ex-wife to be, did what many spouses have done before her and unfortunately many more will in the future. To make it as personal and painful as possible and find something that I deeply cared about, and destroy it.

If anything was stolen, it was the future experiences with my teenage son. I spent over 20 years and countless road trips and flights all over this country and a few to Europe to put it all together. The value of this project, at least to me, is restoring it with my teenage son and to build last memories for the both of us. Something he can take with him into his adult life. I firmly believe this next generation needs something special to get them off their phones and screens and he and I had plans to continue where I had left off when we're living California. I have a great photo of he and his sister inside the "heck hole" tailcone, when they were little kids. To think that she would do this knowing full well that son and I would be working together is probably the hardest hit to take.

I did the math and at my age, I have one, maybe two projects in me before it would be too physically taxing to complete. I'm not sure if you have a project or not, but there is something to know that you can bring this aircraft back to life in the sky someday. It's very inspiring to know and believe this in your heart. At least for me, I have thought about this project or done something related to it everyday since I bought it in Portugal and unloaded here in the states. Not all of you may be aware of this, but when you sign on to rebuild a warbird, it requires a strong commitment and connection to see it through. Countless hours of researching and tracking down people, just like you, who have the same passion and fascination with aviation and aviation history. I could be wrong, but when guys talk about how many hours they have in a project, they forget to mention all the research and phone calls and part hunting trips, just to get what you need to start, let alone the hours cleaning and rebuilding parts and bucking rivets. The camaraderie you build with fellow restorers and enthusiasts lasts a life time.

Given all this, I would love the opportunity to get my project back and continue with on with dream of restoring and flying it to airshows around the country.

I appreciate your time.

Patrick

[pilot06]

Don't know it lost is the correct word, perhaps concealed or hidden away is more correct. Don't know where she is and would like to know.

PC

[ZRX61]

I thought you'd already found it? Also: California allows the sale of property during a divorce for living expenses.

[pilot06]

Yes, I did locate and then she was sold again to someone else. The guy who had her wasn't a wixer but I know some of his people are. It sure would be nice to make contact with whomever has the project to give them some history on her.

[Xrayist]

Following this thread the best I can, rereading all the old posts. A question, naive or not, but doesn't the new "owner" have to register the serial number with the FAA before he/she can get it licensed? And if so, what would happen if the rightful owner contacted the FAA and let them know what is going on? Just curious.

[Dan Jones]

Unfortunately it's probably not that hard to find another set of paperwork to register the airplane under. There's certainly several P-51's running around under assumed identities.