Today is VE Day, aircraft from WW2 that still exist

[phil65]

The snake is back...

Phil

[JohnB]

Here's another...an airworthy P-51B with seven victories in its wartime markings.

https://www.mustangsmustangs.com/p-51/s ... /42-106638

You mean the dataplate???

Maybe, but it's probably nicer than your Mustang.

[quemerford]

Here's another...an airworthy P-51B with seven victories in its wartime markings.

https://www.mustangsmustangs.com/p-51/s ... /42-106638

You mean the dataplate???

Maybe, but it's probably nicer than your Mustang.

The debate on data plate recreations will go on forever, but I think when the question is, "...aircraft from WW2 that still exist", they can't be seriously included.

Unless you count me as a WW2 veteran because I carry my father's DNA.

[sandiego89]

As far as most significant? A bit subjective of course, but my vote would go for the SBD-2 in the National Naval Aviation Museum, BuNo 2106,

Subjective indeed, good candidate, perhaps also in the running would be:

Enola Gay B-29
Memphis Belle B-17
Hurricane R4118 with battle of Britain kills
F4 Wildcat discovered near the Lexington wreck
Several Spitfires with combat history

[Jack Cook]

Here's another...an airworthy P-51B with seven victories in its wartime markings.

https://www.mustangsmustangs.com/p-51/s ... /42-106638

You mean the dataplate???

Maybe, but it's probably nicer than your Mustang.

I'd put my data plate up against anyones!!!!

[JohnB]

You mean the dataplate???

I'd put my data plate up against anyones!!!!

Great, I hope you get a lot of pleasure from looking at your stamped 3"x5" piece of aluminum. Probably looks great on your shelf.

But Is yours attached to an airworthy Mustang?

Does yours represent the type and teach people about history, aviation and technology?
Does it appear at air shows and give students a 3-D history lesson?
More importantly, honor the people who built, serviced and flew the aircraft 80 years ago?

You see, there is more to an airplane than the age of metal.

Yes, it would be great if this aircraft (and many...or most... Pother WWII fightets) it still had the pilot's fingerprints on the cockpit and the metal riveted by a woman while she waited for her husband to return from the service.
But, there aren't many aircraft like that.

We have a choice, make arbitrary rules about what constitutes a warbird.
Fine for purists, but that means that there will be a lot fewer artifacts for people to enjoy and learn from.

You know, when the Mustang flies and the sound of the Merlin reverberates across the field, I don't think I have ever heard anyone complain and say..."But it's not real!"

[bdk]

You know, when the Mustang flies and the sound of the Merlin reverberates across the field, I don't think I have ever heard anyone complain and say..."But it's not real!"

My CGI Mustang is going to win Reno 2024! Turn your computer's volume up to 12.

[Jack Cook]

You mean the dataplate???

I'd put my data plate up against anyones!!!!

Great, I hope you get a lot of pleasure from looking at your stamped 3"x5" piece of aluminum. Probably looks great on your shelf.

But Is yours attached to an airworthy Mustang?

Does yours represent the type and teach people about history, aviation and technology?
Does it appear at air shows and give students a 3-D history lesson?
More importantly, honor the people who built, serviced and flew the aircraft 80 years ago?

You see, there is more to an airplane than the age of metal.

Yes, it would be great if this aircraft (and many...or most... Pother WWII fightets) it still had the pilot's fingerprints on the cockpit and the metal riveted by a woman while she waited for her husband to return from the service.
But, there aren't many aircraft like that.

We have a choice, make arbitrary rules about what constitutes a warbird.
Fine for purists, but that means that there will be a lot fewer artifacts for people to enjoy and learn from.

You know, when the Mustang flies and the sound of the Merlin reverberates across the field, I don't think I have ever heard anyone complain and say..."But it's not real!"

Boy, I really picked off a scab. Sure it's a beautiful aircraft. But, it didn't fly in WWII and didn't down 7 German aircraft. Stating otherwise is deceitful at best!

[quemerford]

You mean the dataplate???

I'd put my data plate up against anyones!!!!

You know, when the Mustang flies and the sound of the Merlin reverberates across the field, I don't think I have ever heard anyone complain and say..."But it's not real!"

Except that the thread is titled, "Today is VE Day, aircraft from WW2 that still exist", so repro's don't really apply here anyway. No criticism, just the topic in hand.