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Post by daoleguy A.J. Hoehn (deceased) on Sept 30, 2009 6:32:06 GMT 9
I mentioned her before being part of a refurbish team for a P-40N in the Smithsonian. We did it on Andrews AFB prior to the opening of the Air and Space Museum. I cherished the time. On delivery I met Gen Mike Collins, then Director of the A&S. If I remember correctly "Tex" Hill one of the original Flying Tigers was also there to accept the plane. Anyhow here's pics, some of which I took. On the Ramp at AAFB One more Museum display One more. Note the P-40E. It was a Canadian P-40N Kittyhawk in fact. Never saw combat. Last use was as a bright red air racer that didn't fare well. Now my pride and joy. The cockpit. That instrument panel sat on my kitchen table for a long time as I replaced all the watch glass and repainted tthe panels, instrument facings with radium paint included. Boy did my ex bitch about it being there. Or reward for or time was a personal invitation from Gen Collins to the Black Tie Grand Pre-Opening of the Museum in 1976. That was a fantastic occassion. enjoy AJ
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Jim Scanlon (deceased)
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Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Sept 30, 2009 8:40:18 GMT 9
:thumbsup
Whilst on a trip to England to see our daughter, son-in-law and grand-children at Mildenhall, we took a trip to Duxford to see the Imperial War Museum at that WW2 airfield. We had just finished touring the American Museum and were outside the back of the building. I heard a prop whine and engine roar that sounded interesting. As I ran to the front of the building, I saw a fighter "beating up the field". It made a number of passes, loops, wing overs and other manoeuvers before it landed. It was an RAF marked P40 that was based at Duxford. What a wonderful sight. As the 40 was snaking it's way down the tarmac to park, a Mustang came across the field and did a few flips, loops, etc., before touching down. I was near the parking area when the P51 taxied in to park. When the canopy rolled back and the engine shut down the pilot stood up, the helmet came off and her blond hair fell below her shoulders. Yep, a Brit told me she was the owner/pilot and based her D model at Duxford.
AJ, thanks for the great pictures of a great War Bird.
Jim
:god_bless_usa
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Post by jesup on Sept 30, 2009 10:49:24 GMT 9
Great work especially the cockpit area.
Bill
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Post by lindel on Sept 30, 2009 11:07:42 GMT 9
The old war birds have always been my favorite, thanks for sharing AJ.
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Post by jimpadgett on Sept 30, 2009 22:35:48 GMT 9
It was beautifully displayed there when I visited this spring. You can be very proud of your contribution to keeping history alive. Jim
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Post by Jim on Oct 1, 2009 1:11:05 GMT 9
I have always been envious of you guys that get an opportunity to restore an old military aircraft................ In 69, I and 2 others bought an old Piper Cub from an estate sale...... The fabric was all gone, but with the plane came all the linen,thread, needles, dope, thinner and Piper yellow to make it air worthy once again........... I had to teach these guys how sew the fabric to the stucture (do they teach that during A&E license school anymore?).. We even got a recent overhaul engine in the deal... I think we paid about 3,000 each...... Don't think you could touch the engine for that today............ Got about 10 hours in it bbfore I lost my license for a violation of regs in another a/c.......... She Looks BEAUTIFUL Ol Guy. BTW, in 1955 I crewed Mike Collin's a/c in France......... You are right, one hell of a nice guy.......... Good basketball player- he played on the Chambley AB team, back when the bases had base teams............ The Old Sarge
:drunk :drunk :drunk to you
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Bullhunter
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Post by Bullhunter on Oct 1, 2009 1:11:07 GMT 9
I'll be in D.C in about a few weeks. I will surely check it out. Thanks AJ. For posting the photos & your refurbish work.
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Post by daoleguy A.J. Hoehn (deceased) on Oct 1, 2009 1:48:25 GMT 9
Thanks guys. Doing that work was fantastic. The cockpit photo really got me. I hadn't seen it in 33 years. Also for you coming here, like Gary, I correspond with Dik Daso at the A&S occassionally (Dik Daso, Curator of Modern Military Aircraft, National Air and Space Museum, (202) 633-2636). He is a very cooperative gentleman. Try contacting his office if you have any question on your visits. I allso invited him to join us here on the forum. It would be a nice addition to have him.
Cheers AJ
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Bullhunter
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Post by Bullhunter on Oct 23, 2009 18:52:08 GMT 9
I didn't get to stop at the Air & Space in D.C. but we did visit the Air & Space museum at Dullas Airport. Nice P-40 hanging in there. Also a SR-71 and a Space shuttle. Pics later.
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Post by daoleguy A.J. Hoehn (deceased) on Oct 25, 2009 10:22:30 GMT 9
Tonight just for the helluv it I watched the 1942 The Flying Tigers with John Wayne. It rather tickled me seeing him in the cockpit of a P-40. The man was 6'4". Heck I am 5'11" and barely fit in the Smithsonian one with the cockpit closed. From what I found the max pilot height for the bird was 5'9" with a squeeze sitting on his chute in the bucket.
The vid was good, but if you watch the taxied P-40s have an additional cowling on the engine. My digging found it was a cover for an engine (car type) so they could taxi the prop P-40s. None actually could fly. Great prop department, but the mods stick out sorely.
You didn't see much of the panel in the flick as it was classified at the time. But it still is funny how much room those guys had in the cockpit. Trust me it is a tight fit and not a spacious area. So much for hollywood. Gives me a chuckle.
AJ
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