Warbird Pilot - A Day in the Life

[Bomber_12th]

I decided to try and chronicle a recent flight I made with the restored “Twilight Tear” out of <st1:City w:st="on">Olympia</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">WA</st1:State> (though the aircraft is actually based in <st1lace w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Granite Falls</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">MN</st1:State></st1lace>). I hope you enjoy it!
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First off, getting out to the tarmac, this is the state of the aircraft, and it isn’t quite how I want it, with a few things that need to be taken care of before getting going.
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Opening up the gun bay to check the guns – just incase. ; )
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And jumping into the cockpit from the left wing.
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Here, the gun sight isn’t fitted (which is the way I prefer it most of the time), but for the purpose of this flight, I want the aircraft looking as original/authentic as possible.
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So the gun sight is installed (note the change in glass reflection).
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Also, to add to the effect, some drop tanks, restored for the aircraft, have been fitted for the flight.
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Pushing it a bit further, instead of wearing modern garb and helmet, for this flight WWII-period gear is selected, to complete the look.
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Ready to go.
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[Bomber_12th]

At the runway, one more visual check of the cockpit is made.
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Breaking ground and cleaning up the airframe.
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Pealing off from the runway and climbing out.
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Once up and out of the airport, testing out the gun sight, just for fun.
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Climbing up, to get above the clouds.
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Finally above the cloud deck, and time to take some more photos.
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[Bomber_12th]

Circling above the clouds for some photos (though the photographer didn’t have all that great of a go at it).
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Playing around with the gun sight some more.
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Heading back to the airport.
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[Bomber_12th]

Over the airport and buzzing the place a few times.
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On downwind, flaps half and gear down.
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Flaps going full, turning onto base.
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Over the threshold.
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With a long taxi back to parking, both the coolant and the oil rad doors are opened full.
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Back and parked in one piece, waiting for the next flight.
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[skyhawka4m]

 

[MenendezDiego]

Amazing shots and an amazing looking aircraft!

Kinda prefer this one over the others I've seen

 

[Bomber_12th]

For added context, these are some of my favorite photos of the aircraft.

Live firing of the guns at the aircraft's home airport in Granite Falls, MN, shortly before Oshkosh last summer, where it won Warbird Grand Champion.

The guns and gun sight were bore-sighted first, exactly according to original guidelines.

Applying the artwork at Oshkosh - the aircraft flew in with decals of the artwork in place, which were removed and the real paintwork done on-sight.

 

[GunnyG]

<drool!>Niiiiiiiiice!

... I really need to upgrade my PC...</drool!>

 

[roger-wilco-66]

I like how the painter dressed for the job. That's style and dedication!

Cheers,
Mark

 

[Bomber_12th]

I liked that too, Mark. The painter is Stefan Hokuf, who is the brother of Eric Hokuf who managed, researched, and worked on the restoration of the aircraft from the very start to the end. The aircraft, which is owned by Ron Fagen/Fagen Fighters, was sent to North Dakota where the fuselage was restored at Tri-State Aviation, the wings were restored at Odegaard Wings (specializing in the restoration of P-51 wings, which they have done tons of), and with final assembly and first flights done at Tri-State. After the aircraft was done being test flown, it was flown to Granite Falls where a combined effort by Warhawks Inc. (the restoration company that is part of Fagen Fighters) and Aircorps Aviation, which was founded by Eric Hokuf, put the final details in the aircraft. Eric Hokuf also managed the award winning restoration of Fagen Fighter's Aleution Tiger P-40K, and Fagen Fighter's P-38 (just to mention a few). Stefan Hokuf, in 2007, also hand painted the nose artwork on Fagen Fighter's P-38 "Ruff Stuff" when it was at Oshkosh - it was such a popular thing that it was a must when it came time for "Twilight Tear" last summer.

(BTW, related to the information above, you can see a list here of some of the experience of Odegaard Wings when it comes to P-51 restorations - not something that a lot of people consider, but in many P-51 restorations today, in order to decrease production/restoration time, usually a few different companies are sourced to do different sub-assemblies at the same time, that all come together after completion: http://www.odegaardwings.com/past-projects-2/ )

 

[olderndirt]

No developer displays knowledge of the product like you. Have you read "Goodbye Mickey Mouse" by Len Deighton? A P51 outfit in England during WW2.

 

[Bomber_12th]

I haven't read that one, though I have heard of it before. I'm currently reading, when I can, The Oranges are Sweet, about Maj. Don Beerbower (pilot of "Bonnie B").