P51D Mustang "Big Beautiful Doll (1 Viewer)

Following on the heels of the crash of the Liberty Belle a couple of weeks ago, this has added to a long-running debate on the scale modeling and aviation enthusiasts' sites about whether these warbirds should be flown, or should only be displayed in museums.

Prost!
Brad
 
I was lucky to see this p-51 fly at a air show year back very sad
 
Fortunately, there's a good number of P-51s in flying condition out there, so fans should still be able to see their favorites at the shows. The number of flying B-17's, though, is more limited.

Regarding the debate about flying rare warbirds or just displaying them, I think they should be flown, and it's up to their owners, ultimately, in any case. It's one thing to walk around a museum exhibit, and quite another to hear the roar of a Pratt & Whitney or Wright radial, or a Merlin or Allison, and seeing a plane in its element. And I'm saving for next year, to take a ride in "Fifi" at the MAAM's WWII Weekend in Reading. Maybe not in the bombardier's seat, though.

Prost!
Brad
 
At this point, why would these people fly these planes so close like that? What's the point of it? To show off? It's wonderful that there are still classic warbirds flying. Maybe it's time to slow down a bit and give them a break as there are fewer and fewer left.
 
Its a shame that they had this happen. I was able to see a couple of P51s fly at various air shows in Colorado and they are amazing. I am reallyt glad that my son was able to hear the sound of these birds as well. They are a beautiful bird.

Dave
 
Until the last warbird can't be flown I think there will be debate about the wisdom of doing so. Funny, though, most of us who want to see the tanks and aircraft preserved carefully and safely in museums aren't the guys who spend the big bucks to obtain and fly a P51 or rescue a Sherman tank from a scrap heap, etc. There certainly is something to be said for seeing an aircraft in flight as opposed to sitting on its wheels. I do love the sound of their engines, especially the Merlin.

This week we had B17G "Aluminum Overcast" visit Lincoln, NE. I went out to see it but work prevented me from going out to see it fly.

By the way, for those in the midwest, there will be an air show at Lincoln, NE on Sept 10th and 11th, 2011. Several P51s and other warbirds are scheduled to attend as well as "Fifi" the only B29 currently flyable. The Blue Angels will be the featured performers.

Gary B.
 
$1000 to ride in the bombardier's seat on "Fifi". To sit in the other positions (radioman's and engineer's stations behind the pilots, or in the waist gunners' positions aft-tail gunner's station was off limits) was $450 or $500 a pop.

Some day, some day...
 
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