Sun-n-Fun 2025 Friday photos

[wls3]

Plenty of Warbirds this year.
Although on the schedule to fly on Friday,
I was informed that was changed Thursday night and the Warbird show would not fly.
Too many other acts.
Can you guess how unpleased I was about that?

2 Corsair
9 Mustangs
2 TBM
1 Bearcat
1 Wildcat
1 SBD
2 B-25
1 A-26

Here is a start of some of the Friday photos.

[AG pilot]

Just lovely photos, and thanks for posting them!!

[JohnB]

The two post-war Corsairs are sure attractive.

[JohnTerrell]

It was great to see the B-25 Betty's Dream was there - the first time I believe it's been out in public since being sold to Bob Bull/American Honor Foundation a couple years ago, and now operating with some new engines since winter maintenance. A number of Bob Bull's other warbirds in attendance too, including the Corsair (first photo) and a few of his Mustangs.

[wls3]

It got pretty hot Friday but saw several old friends so that was good.

Some more Friday photos, the bombers.
Mustang photos to follow.

[garbs]

I was only there on Wednesday - got a few on my cell phone:

[AG pilot]

More great photos, thanks!!

[ErrolC]

Nice, thanks!

[wls3]

and the Mustangs from Friday...

[Lynn Allen]

Bill, thank you for all of the pictures. Who owns the P-51 Cheryl Lynn?

[GRNDP51]

Bill, thank you for all of the pictures. Who owns the P-51 Cheryl Lynn?

One of Lou Horschel's new rides. Previously named 'Miss Kandy'. Beautiful Mustang.

[JohnB]

Always interesting to note the bubble differences on the Mustangs....
In the latest group...
The "Rebel" looks stock
"Mad Max" looks blown, and
the "Little Witch" looks even larger...and has a H (or possibly Cavalier...are they the same?) tail.

Nice selection of '51s.
Is that "Old Crow" the Roush aircraft?

[JohnTerrell]

That is the P-51B 'Old Crow' that Jack Roush used to own, but it is now owned by Bob Bull in Florida. He also owns the Mustangs 'Gentleman Jim', 'The Rebel', 'Tiger's Revenge', 'Geraldine' (currently getting new paint), and a blue-nosed TF-51D (ex-E Pluribus Unum). Being based at Jumbolair, it was a relatively short flight to SNF, but a lot of maintenance over the past few months to get them all ready (including their Corsair and B-25 as well).

The tails on 'Mad Max' and 'Litttle Witch' have the taller upper tail fin cap, as used originally on NACA Mustangs in the 40's for increased stability in high speed dive tests (testing miniature airfoils attached to the wings). Those extended tail fin caps were later copied/added on Cavalier Mustangs. They are not H-model tails.

The canopies on both of those of course have to be longer due to having the extended TF cockpit. They do have just about the ugliest looking canopy bubbles (in my opinion), but they of course offer plenty of head room for the backseater. In my opinion, the best looking TF-51D canopy is the one fitted to 'Contrary Mary', which had been operated in the UK for several years, and is now in the US.

[Lynn Allen]

That is the P-51B 'Old Crow' that Jack Roush used to own, but it is now owned by Bob Bull in Florida. He also owns the Mustangs 'Gentleman Jim', 'The Rebel', 'Tiger's Revenge', 'Geraldine' (currently getting new paint), and a blue-nosed TF-51D (ex-E Pluribus Unum). Being based at Jumbolair, it was a relatively short flight to SNF, but a lot of maintenance over the past few months to get them all ready (including their Corsair and B-25 as well).

The tails on 'Mad Max' and 'Litttle Witch' have the taller upper tail fin cap, as used originally on NACA Mustangs in the 40's for increased stability in high speed dive tests (testing miniature airfoils attached to the wings). Those extended tail fin caps were later copied/added on Cavalier Mustangs. They are not H-model tails.

The canopies on both of those of course have to be longer due to having the extended TF cockpit. They do have just about the ugliest looking canopy bubbles (in my opinion), but they of course offer plenty of head room for the backseater. In my opinion, the best looking TF-51D canopy is the one fitted to 'Contrary Mary', which had been operated in the UK for several years, and is now in the US.

John thank you for the intel on Cheryl Lynn. Mr. Bull seems to have the market on P-51's like the gentlemen in the 80's who had a coral of Mustangs as well.

Lynn

[JohnTerrell]

Mr. Bull seems to have the market on P-51's like the gentlemen in the 80's who had a coral of Mustangs as well.

Yeah, Connie Edwards had six Mustangs for a time in the 80s, all ex-Guatemalan Air Force. At this time, Dan Friedkin owns 8 Mustangs (A-36A, P-51B, P-51C, 3 x P-51D, P-51K, TF-51D) and Bob Bull owns 6 Mustangs (P-51B, 4x P-51D, TF-51D). Louis Horschel I believe owns 4 Mustangs (P-51B, P-51D, TF-51D, and a P-51D reported to be under restoration as a TF-51D). I can't think of any other collector who has 4 or more.