Goodbye Bear

[Lockheed Bob]

Re: Goodbye Bear

Maybe Ezell has been building a full race engine for the Bear & that it will be installed & ready for Reno 2019? If nothing else a race between the "Bear" & "Strega" with a $1millon to the winner & the Reno "Casinos" putting up the money. I can dream can't I?

[toldjaso]

Re: Goodbye Bear

Maybe Ezell has been building a full race engine for the Bear & that it will be installed & ready for Reno 2019? If nothing else a race between the "Bear" & "Strega" with a $1millon to the winner & the Reno "Casinos" putting up the money. I can dream can't I?

Seems like it would be easier to transport that engine to Reno and install it, rather than transport the whole plane to Texas??

[Reever]

Re: Goodbye Bear

Seems like it would be easier to transport that engine to Reno and install it, rather than transport the whole plane to Texas??

Well, after a few years of sitting they might want to give the Bear a thorough going over. Something best done at the shop.

[GRNDP51]

Re: Goodbye Bear

Well, after a few years of sitting they might want to give the Bear a thorough going over. Something best done at the shop.

This would for sure be the case even if by slight chance they have an engine for it ready to go.

I'm wondering if Nelson's accident has had any effect on Rare Bear's situation in the past or going into the future? I don't know how much he worked on Bear, but being the crew chief he played somewhat of an important part I think? The shop seems to be going pretty smoothly in the wake of the accident, which is pretty good news to all. I bet Nelson is proud to see planes like the Brewster and the F8F being completed while he's recovering.

[wajm]

Re: Goodbye Bear

Well I don't want to be insulting or disrespectful to Averille Dawson, however the Bear was in the best shape ever in August of 1989. I have my reasons for believing that to be correct, she can agree or disagree that is her right and privilege. The man that owned her then was the most monstrous competitor of all time, the Bear wishes that someone who was obsessed with winning and nothing else was back in her saddle.........but time has passed.

Seems to me I recall a post in another thread from some time back, possibly when Rare Bear was bought by Rod Lewis that when the wing box was opened they nearly had a stroke at what they saw inside. Does anyone else recall such a statement?

Perhaps that was the intent of the phrase "best shape ever"?

John

[ChrisMX105]

Re: Goodbye Bear

Well I don't want to be insulting or disrespectful to Averille Dawson, however the Bear was in the best shape ever in August of 1989. I have my reasons for believing that to be correct, she can agree or disagree that is her right and privilege. The man that owned her then was the most monstrous competitor of all time, the Bear wishes that someone who was obsessed with winning and nothing else was back in her saddle.........but time has passed.

In May of 2012 I was present during a test flight to prepare for the 3Km attempt that had been planned for June. During a flight the numbers that were reported and documented equated to 566 mph at just under full power. This was done without nitrous which was not even loaded in the tanks.
Unfortunately due to a series of events that were hashed out on these very forums shortly thereafter the opportunity to document the aircraft's ability at that time was lost. The program never recovered from this.

I think that what Lyle proved time and again is that while having the financial means to back the monumental undertaking of campaigning a top-level racer is an important piece of the big picture what really counts is the drive, competitiveness, and charisma that made it all possible.

He was truly from a time when “Men were Men and **** was real”

[Big_Jim]

Re: Goodbye Bear

He was truly from a time when “Men were Men and **** was real”

I'll put the cherry on top of that statement. This is a quote that BCIV contributed to the story I wrote for World Airshow News when Lyle passed:

“Lyle was from a different era. There are only a handful of guys in the history of the sport who were the whole package--the ‘real deal’: Tiger Destefani, Darryl Greenamyer, Bob Love, and Lyle. He was an owner who put every last cent he had into that airplane. If it was a choice between fixing a leak in the roof of the house and getting a new propeller for the Bearcat, the plane won out every time. He was a hell of a pilot. And he was the ultimate competitor. Everything he did in life was to go and not just win, but to kick-ass at Reno. He was THE MAN.”

[svtmi]

Re: Goodbye Bear

This was posted on the Lewis Air Legends Instagram site this morning.

"The Bear is heading back to Breckenridge, Texas for some TLC...wing modifications and oil cooling system work. More big flying adventure to come, perhaps even a run for the World Speed Record again! Thank you fans for the continued support!
Team Rare Bear"

[toldjaso]

Re: Goodbye Bear

This was posted on the Lewis Air Legends Instagram site this morning.

"The Bear is heading back to Breckenridge, Texas for some TLC...wing modifications and oil cooling system work. More big flying adventure to come, perhaps even a run for the World Speed Record again! Thank you fans for the continued support!
Team Rare Bear"

You can't just sew the knuties back on. Once neutered always neutered.

Oil cooling system work translation: Remove boil-off, fill up the dumpster time again.

[Reever]

Re: Goodbye Bear

This was posted on the Lewis Air Legends Instagram site this morning.

"The Bear is heading back to Breckenridge, Texas for some TLC...wing modifications and oil cooling system work. More big flying adventure to come, perhaps even a run for the World Speed Record again! Thank you fans for the continued support!
Team Rare Bear"

Sounds like good news to me! "More big flying adventure to come". Back in the air and no museum yet.

[Desertdawg]

Re: Goodbye Bear

You can't just sew the knuties back on. Once neutered always neutered.

Heres a color coordinated pair they can hang back on

[gp70442]

Re: Goodbye Bear

Posts #23 and #24 appear to be conflicting. Why would they remove the boil off if a speed record run is in the cards?

"the World Speed Record again" points to the current 528 number.

Whatever the case, it sounds like the Bear will be in the air again soon and that is very welcome news. That beast is certainly a unigue machine.

GP

[Race5]

Re: Goodbye Bear

You can't just sew the knuties back on. Once neutered always neutered.

Oil cooling system work translation: Remove boil-off, fill up the dumpster time again.

Wing mods meaning put the flaps back on it too?

[N22252]

Re: Goodbye Bear

Maybe somebody watched the NBC Sports Network coverage of last year and realized that in this era, there's a trophy for going faster than Dreadnaught.

[GRNDP51]

Re: Goodbye Bear

Maybe somebody watched the NBC Sports Network coverage of last year and realized that in this era, there's a trophy for going faster than Dreadnaught.

I know this is probably more sarcastic than not, but...

I think it's a "good for bad" scenario. Sold 232 (sadly to go where we don't want it), but it got Rod some airplane cash, and already had a trailer coming to pick it up so why not take care of Bear too?

I highly doubt this would've happened now if 232 hadn't sold. It's too much of a coincidence.