I know news has been a little slow for the last few weeks on all the unlimiteds, including Team Miss America... but now that Brent is back from his vacation it seemed like the optimum time to visit the hangar and hopefully get something to wet the appetite of the air racing fans out there. Upon our arrival, we soon learned that Brent was going to be taking Miss A up for another test flight later this morning - and the B25 was also going to go up (no formation or photo stuff - the pilots were just getting some stick time). So it did look like our timing couldn't have been better, there's always something uniquely special to see these WWII warbirds take to the skies. I don't know if it's the sites, or the sounds, or the nostalgia, or a combination of the three - but it's generally a goosebump experience with no rivals - aviation nirvana.
It was a very uneventful 20-minute flight, as Brent commented when he landed "it performed as advertised". Brent is under strict orders from Rick to "let it run" and nothing below 35 inches (of manifold pressure)". Today's takeoff was testament to that as the aircraft virtually leaped into the air at midfield (takeoff power was 50 inches) and climbed out with authority. I don't know if we've stated this before, but Miss America's exhaust stacks have been modified with a larger diameter pipes which gives the aircraft a very throaty, deep sound that must be heard to experience - it's difficult to describe... but it certainly sounds like MASSIVE POWER ON TAP!!!!
It's been very hot out here in Oklahoma with afternoon temps in the 100's, and even though today's flight was done before 9AM - it was getting hot rather quickly. Brent stated that Miss America temps went to midrange (right in the sweet spot) and stayed there. Brent added that he only had to use the spraybar on takeoff, which would make sense since that's the same as previous flights.
So in a nutshell, it was a very successful test flight and the last one scheduled before Miss America heads up to Stead in mid-August. The crew mentioned that they have someone comming down next week to touchup the paint on Miss A so she'll be looking her best come September. Tentative plans call for Miss A to depart OKC on August 18th and arriving at Stead later that day after a 6-hour cross-country flight. Crew member Greg Butler will be riding shotgun in the back of Miss America, and with the heat exchanger located just under/behind his seat - it's gonna get a little toasty for him back there. His solution is extra insulation over the heat exchanger (big blanket), but he did say you can still feel the heat through the parachute strapped on his back so it's not 100%. We can only hope he has as comfortable of a ride as possible - that's what you call taking one for the team!
I'm going to do my best to get some parting shots of Brent, Greg, & Miss America as they leave Wiley Post Airport... but since it's going to be on a workday it might be tough to get off from work. We'll try our best though, hoping to give you one last update on Team Miss America prior to Reno.
Speaking of updates, don't forget that we've been keeping some of Miss America's tech info, specs, and "stuff" quiet (as requested) but after Reno we'll be able to share that with the fans. If you ever wanted to know some of the inside air racing info on what it takes to turn a stock P-51 into a racer and the real deal on Miss America's "rather special" motor and modification program... stay tuned. We might just be getting the green light during the event to share some of this info - so there's much more on this aircraft then we've stated thus far. There's a LOT more, and we'll be sharing that as soon as we possibly can.
One last thing... something I know everyone will be seeing at Reno this year - team member Scotty Butler was handing out the crew shirts for Reno this year, so I thought I'd give you guys a little sneak peek. As the caption reads, Reno 2023 is going to be Miss America's "Last Run". So given that, I'll leave you with this last thought... Is Brent referring to Reno 2023 as being the last run for the event? The last race at Reno? Or is there a hidden message there letting everyone know that (regardless if they find a new home for the event or not) this will be Brent's last time racing Miss America competitively? Only Brent knows, but in either case, it's pretty imperative for all race fans to do what they can to get to Stead in September...
It might just be the last one in our lifetime.
(... something to think about)
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