Alert: Mustang disrupts AZ Chapter Meet How dare they!

[Michael G.]

Re: Alert: Mustang disrupts AZ Chapter Meet How dare they!

I have to agree with that David. Again it was a great meet. Thanks Eric for posting these.

[John H.]

Re: Alert: Mustang disrupts AZ Chapter Meet How dare they!

If you like the P-51 Mustang, you can fly one in Florida. It's a former two-seat trainer. I have my private pilot license and even as a kid have been thrilled with the P-51. I flew the beauty at Stallion 51 in Kissimmee, FL a few years ago.
What a thrill it was. Must say it came close to driving my '58 .. actually surpassed it when I did a couple of barrel rolls and a few other fun maneuvers.

David

Many years ago (about 1964 or so), a friend of my Dad's bought a P-51D from some South American air force and had the Cavalier 2-seat conversion done in Florida. I got an hour-long ride in it back then with him one Saturday morning, and I'll remember it as long as I live, even with my own 7700 hours of flight time. Simply incredible - the howl of a Rolls Merlin is something you never forget.

[David L.]

Re: Alert: Mustang disrupts AZ Chapter Meet How dare they!

John,

Yes, the Merlin is a sound not to be forgotten. I have a video with sound from the time we began the start procedure, takeoff, etc., etc., etc. until shut down. Real neat stuff with the taping showing the aircraft attitudes and views ahead and my facial expressions and views behind as we did the various maneuvers. Still a little more exciting than the '58.

David

[John G.]

Re: Alert: Mustang disrupts AZ Chapter Meet How dare they!

One of my best friend's Dad, Frank Garcia, talks about his experiences as a WW II fighter pilot. Always interesting listening. . . The P-51 Mustang fighter group he flew with was based on Iwo Jima. Their mission was to escort the B-29 bombers to and from bombing missions over mainland Japan. The Mustang groups formed up with the B-29's as the bombers, having taken off from Saipan and Tinian, neared Iwo Jima.

As a newly assigned fighter pilot one usually flew a plane that was assigned to someone else, on that other pilot's day off. On the runway a pair of Mustangs would line up in staggered formation - leader and wingman. On one early mission Frank said he almost ran into the other P-51, on takeoff, because unbeknownst to him the mechanic who was assigned to the plane he flew that day had 'jimmied' the engine govenor. After pulling back power things got a little dicey as the Mustang bounced back down on the runway several times. He said he 'heard about it' after they got back from the mission. The 'old man' was up in the control tower watching things like a hawk.

Frank said the hardest thing about going on those escort missions was sitting in a cramped cockpit, on your parachute. Escort missions lasted 8-10 hours out and back. Once over the mainland the fighters were usually turned loose to strafe targets of opportunity on the ground. You only made one pass on a target and got out of there. Another pilot he knew made a second pass on a target and got shot down. Frank said he was at ground level once when he flew past a haystack. A Japanese fighter plane was hidden inside.

On the way back to Iwo Jima after a mission the fighters expended their .50 caliber ammunition to lighten the load and ease fuel consumption. Sometimes planes barely made it back. On one early mission Frank said he made a mistake and brought back the ammo with his Mustang. He got chewed out royally for doing so.

Frank said you always knew when another pilot flying in a squadron group had to pee. Though trimmed out for level flight the Mustang would wallow around bit as the pilot tended to the business of hooking up to the elimination tube. During his service as a fighter pilot Frank said he shot down a couple of Japanese fighters. It was 'you or him', he said.

After the war Frank said he was stationed in Saipan for a year, then sent to Hamilton Field, just north of San Francisco. There were a few P-51's on base but only those who were checked out in the Mustang were allowed to fly them. Pilots were required to maintain proficiency by flying a minimum number of hours in type. Frank said he made an off the books flight to Yosemite on one 'proficiency' flight. He said he poured the coals to the Merlin in order to get out and back within a certain time limitation. Frank said he buzzed Glacier Point. He said he wondered if 'anyone ever got a picture'. ..

[Eric J.]

Re: Alert: Mustang disrupts AZ Chapter Meet How dare they!

Sad news about that P51...

It crashed yesteday while landing killing the pilot..

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2010/03/12/20100312aircrash0312.html

Eric