This is for any of our State Side members please. So what is the real story here With all the "ownership paperwork" it has been returned to the USAF. The story is a bit thin to be able to see what the history of the ownership story is and why the Air Force wants it back from the Confederate Air Force. Is this a case of it's a very rare aircraft we want to have it, or have I missed something.

Matt

BSW727 wrote on Nov 12^th, 2009 at 6:17pm:


I think that was the argument the USAF used against the CAF.  The aircraft hadn't been restored since its accident because the CAF didn't have the resources yet, but the USAF can.  There are many that don't like the CAF, they believe the proper place for these warbirds is in a museum, not flying airshows.

Thanks for the feedback guys

Matt

expat wrote on Nov 12^th, 2009 at 12:54pm:


Commemorative Air Force.

The Ruptured Duck wrote on Nov 13^th, 2009 at 8:48am:


I agree, there is nothing like seeing a B-17 and P-51 pass overhead in formation.  The opponents of flying the warbirds argue they are irreplaceable and flying is too risky.

Ivan wrote on Nov 16^th, 2009 at 2:57pm:

Well there weren't that many P-82's built, and like many other aircraft WW2 and afterwards, many were destroyed for scrap.

A customer/friend told me theres a guy in Ohio who collects old aircraft and keeps them in his back yard (has an entire B-36) and I recall from one of the photos I saw there was a P-82.  Although I'm not certain its not the one the CAF purchased.

Another option would be to find 2 "D" model Mustangs (which were produced in massive quantities) and attach them, since thats all the P-82 was.


Off topic, does anyone know if Fifi is airworthy again?

specter177 wrote on Nov 19^th, 2009 at 8:59pm:

I'm missing your point.  The only changes were the fuselodge lengthening and the center wing section.  H instead of D maybe?

expat wrote on Nov 20^th, 2009 at 3:35am:

Depends on model. Long range fighter variant were pilot + co-pilot/nav.  Night-fighter variant pilot + radar operator. http://www.vectorsite.net/avp51_3.html

The Ruptured Duck wrote on Nov 19^th, 2009 at 11:34pm:


My point is that they couldn't just slap two Mustang fuselages together and call it an F-82. It may have looked like one to the untrained observer, but it wouldn't be one. The -H model mustangs are much harder to find, and the tail is completely different. There is also the problem of the odd-turning engine and prop, which are very rare.

I was gonna say it looked a lot like 2 Mustang fuselages put together...

I remember a funny story about Bob Hoover flying the P-82 from his book:


"On another occasion, I flew the plane a while, then said, "Dick, you've got it," at about thirty thousand feet.

I let loose of the controls and sat back to relax.  The F-82 flew without a hitch, sailing comfortably across the sky.  At one point, I did have some concern because the plane was flying treetop high over downtown Dayton.  We were perilously close to many of the office buildings.

Of course, I thought Dick was just trying to show off.  To make him see how relaxed I was, I leaned back and put both of my hands behind my head.  I looked over at him in his cockpit with a great big who-cares smile.

It was then that I noticed that Dick's face was as white as a sheet as he grappled with the controls.  Quickly he steadied the F-82 and then yelled over to me "For Christ's sake, Hoover, I thought you were flying.""


Clearly before positive transfer of control was an established practice