Originally posted by wingman
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Neal, Agreed, this wasn't directed at you but to those who do not post, however have information and opinions that are valuable and should be shared. This is a great venue.John Slack -
[QUOTEHey Merlin guys -- What is this thing that Dave Zeuschel is hefting?][/QUOTE]
Well, at least it is the easy side, intake mag. The other side is more amuzing----
This has been a really cool deal that you guys are doing Neal and Jan. I have known about a lot of these airplanes over the years, seen some of them and worked on some of them. I take care of the "Oogahonk Special" for the current owner.
I must admit, you have lost me on a lot of the coolant door and rear doghouse stuff. Almost all of the ones pictured you were discussing are stock?? The amont the coolant door is lengthened and the size that the inlet is modified to something I will let someone else say if they want. However, the coolant door is lenghtened "X" amount and the opening is closed down to somewhere between 4 1/2 to 6 1/2 inches and then the temps are controlled by the spraybar. An efficient and well operating system will hold coolant temp at 100 to 105C at 130" MAP for the race.
The few pics of Dwight you've shown, he was there from the beginning with Lyford, Chuck Hall and a few others. All interesting times from where they started to how it is now.
Thanks,
Sparrow----Comment
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Don't know that answer, however Google probably does, but that's cheating. That was the airplane that Clay flew in E.D. Weiner's funeral flight, my dad flew the red racer, which has been restored to White and Black checkerboard. It's beautiful. The STP Special paint was my favorite. I got to sit in it and check it out. Lyle made several flights in it to keep it up and running after E.D. passed away.Originally posted by wingman View PostActually as a bonus quiz question -- Anybody know who owns this airplane 45 years later, and what it has been up to lately?
Got any pictures of that one?John SlackComment
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Here it is at Reno 1979. It did not race but was on display.Comment
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Anyone know if Val Bonzer (Weiner) is still amongst us? Now that ol' gal was a pisser!! She was pretty funny to be around and had some interesting stories---- Far as I know the one airplane is still in a hangar in Scottsdale..Comment
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I'm enjoying this too John and Neal. Eric's (my bro) in the background too. It'd be cool if we could get together and just chat. But for now this is dandy. I strongly encourage you John to do what you can with your Dad's slides and other materials. As someone who's inherited a wealth of photos, records, recordings and a ton of other stuff - not just on the Unlimiteds but F1, Bipes, T-6, etc - I think it's worth preserving. There are lots of stories that have been told. But many more that haven't.
In that spirit I have another sort of quiz for one and all. Neal, I think I can answer your question on Boomer but I'll come back to that.
Here ye, Here ye! Read the press release below (yes, a press release on an Unlimited racer from a New York ad agency - imagine that! - from 1972 about the debut of a new racer... Then follow on to see more and get the quiz question.Comment
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This is the photo that goes with that press release. The gents pictured are described in it. (Hirsch Public Relations photo)
Last edited by Jan; 04-17-2024, 09:13 PM.Comment
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Well, at least it is the easy side, intake mag. The other side is more amuzing----Originally posted by Sparrow View Post
I must admit, you have lost me on a lot of the coolant door and rear doghouse stuff. Almost all of the ones pictured you were discussing are stock??
The few pics of Dwight you've shown, he was there from the beginning with Lyford, Chuck Hall and a few others. All interesting times from where they started to how it is now.
Thanks,
Sparrow----[/QUOTE]
Boy, I thought I was being clear, but then I'm told clarity is not always a strong point for me. The only one ever lengthened was Miss Candace. The extension seems clear to me when using the production break for reference. The shot of Wiley's Race 69 at Bakersfield and of Jeannie after repairs in 1980 were just there to show the difference in Miss Candace and Jeannie 1979 before the cornfield.. You engine guys both think I'm imagining things, but I'm not...
Here's Dwight with Chuck Hall in 1980. Would that have been the year of the first Allison rod Merlin at Reno? Were you working for Dwight yet in 1980?
Neal
Last edited by wingman; 04-17-2024, 09:21 PM.Comment
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Mira signed this picture to Dad in his native Czech.
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Didn't it arrive late and a special meeting amongst the race pilots decide to not allow it to race...thus ending the first high visibility sponsorship in Unlimited Air Racing.Originally posted by Jan View PostJohn SlackComment
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Wasn't there some hot date with a showgirl or something that cotributed to the late arrival?Originally posted by BellCobraIV View Post
That airplane had quite a history Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Bell TP-39Q Airacobra, s/n 44-3908 USAAF, c/r N40AComment
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Nicely put John... "thus ending the first high visibility sponsorship in Unlimited Air Racing."
That's a good way of summing it up. Although, I guess you could say that Slovak had already had a high visibility sponsorship with Smirnoff on Stead's Bearcat. Either way, not allowing a racer with a commercial sponsor to actually compete because it busted the arrival deadline was a stupid move. Even dumber because there were only 16 Unlimiteds at Stead.
Mr. Mennen was apparently pretty well prepared and was the only Q model Airacobra around.
A hot date with a showgirl? Do tell Neal.... Meanwhile, Ed Messick did race the airplane at Reno 1976.... Qualified at 310.018 mph. Finished 8th in the Consolation Race on Saturday at a screaming 288.196 mph. (Sharon Tegler photo)
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