Red Bulls P-38

[Propellerhead]

Re: Red Bulls P-38

A paintjob is just a paintjob. Personally, it's more important that the airplane is getting a thorough rebuild and will have serious TLC when it's flying again. THAT is what is most important. Everything else is just petty whining.

Personally, I'm just stating a preference - not whining. Red Bull can paint it any color they want. It doesn't have to look like White Lightnin', but I'd rather it didn't look like a can of their product. Just a hope, not a demand.

If we followed a strict preservationist view in respect to warbirds, we'd have very few planes sporting WWII schemes, since most surviving, flying airframes, never fought in the ETO or PTO.

Anyone watching the progress on Ezell's website should be thrilled at the attention being lavished on WL.

If any of you guys read WIX, there's an ongoing thread over there about a P-51B that Roush is rebuilding. A relative of the guy who flew that actual airplane is all torn up that it's not going to be painted up in the colors of that guy.

Now, that P-51B Roush thread on WIX. MAN!!! That's the definition of whining. You really want to say: "Lady, we appreciate your relative's sacrifice, but STFU!" Yup, they're better flying than at the bottom of the lake or ocean still "property" of the U.S. Gov't.

[AirDOGGe]

Re: Red Bulls P-38

... Red Bull can paint it any color they want. It doesn't have to look like White Lightnin', but I'd rather it didn't look like a can of their product. Just a hope, not a demand.....

I feel the same way. I bet we all do.

Who knows?....Someday the announcer may be shouting "And here come the TROJAN P-51 around turn 8, slowly catching the VIAGRA Sea fury and the PAMPERS home-built unlimited...". I fear that someday I will see Dreadnought painted up like a red/white Coca-Cola can, though I'm sure the owners wouldn't mind the sponsor funds.....

Unfortunately, Redbull is not in the business of preserving WWII aircraft or historic racers in their most famous schemes. Their goal is to sell as many cans of that sweet sickly stuff as they can, and so everything they present to the world is going to have their product's name/logo prominent on it, as tacky as that seems.

Of course, that doesn't mean I don't have to stop calling that wonderful bird "White Lightning" (and I won't).

-->Monster.com plastered their name on a local favorite stadium, and "Infineon" is seen on flags and banners all over a nearby popular international race course, but I still refer to them as CANDLESTICK PARK and SEARS POINT respectively, and I always will.

We have our memories, we know and love the history, and no amount of dollars and gallons of paint will ever take that away from us.

I can take a new name/paint job in stride, even if it involves putting a crimson cow on the wings.... After all, Lefty's Lightning had racing history and several different paint-jobs well before he acquired it and made it his own.....

But it's the fact that I will probably never see that bird 'rounding the pylons in a Reno race again in my lifetime that hurts the most.

.

[No1FBfan]

Re: Red Bulls P-38

We have our memories, we know and love the history, and no amount of dollars and gallons of paint will ever take that away from us.

I couldnt have said it any better myself. Im glad that White Lightning is getting a much needed restoration. But no matter what the paint job is it will still be a treasured piece of air racing and air show history no matter what country its flying.

[Randy Haskin]

Re: Red Bulls P-38

We have our memories, we know and love the history, and no amount of dollars and gallons of paint will ever take that away from us.

"Take that away from us?"

And here I always thought this whole warbird thing was all about preserving the heritage and not us.

Guess I got it backward, and it's really all about what's in it for us.

[AirDOGGe]

Re: Red Bulls P-38

"Take that away from us?"

And here I always thought this whole warbird thing was all about preserving the heritage and not us.

It's neither. If it was all about preserving heritage, then every restored warbird would sport an original and period-correct military paintjob, would it not? Things like clipped wings, tiny canopies, flashy paint, etc would not exist.

SOMETIMES perserving heritage is the goal, but it's not a universal goal. I doubt Red Bull will be researching WL's original heritage and painting it accordingly.

And it's not about "US" either, but we do our part.

It's certainly us (the spectators) that keep the Reno Air Races and countless airshows alive and kicking, no? If it weren't for ticket and souvenir sales, and donations to teams like Rare Bear's, I doubt there would be any racing in Stead every year. Likewise with donations that support many warbird restorations.

No, it's not all about us (and that was never my point), but we aren't totally worthless factors in the equation either.

[speeddemon]

Re: Red Bulls P-38

Most certainly, yes....the fans and fan participation is important in keeping the races going and such. But just because I buy tickets to go see the Seahawks play year after year, and my money goes to pay the salary of the players....it doesn't give me ANY entitlement to call plays, or to decide which players play, stay, or go.

It's neither. If it was all about preserving heritage, then every restored warbird would sport an original and period-correct military paintjob, would it not? Things like clipped wings, tiny canopies, flashy paint, etc would not exist.

SOMETIMES perserving heritage is the goal, but it's not a universal goal. I doubt Red Bull will be researching WL's original heritage and painting it accordingly.

And it's not about "US" either, but we do our part.

It's certainly us (the spectators) that keep the Reno Air Races and countless airshows alive and kicking, no? If it weren't for ticket and souvenir sales, and donations to teams like Rare Bear's, I doubt there would be any racing in Stead every year. Likewise with donations that support many warbird restorations.

No, it's not all about us (and that was never my point), but we aren't totally worthless factors in the equation either.

[speeddemon]

Re: Red Bulls P-38

And with all this concern, has anyone who has posted their displeasure actually bothered to contact Red Bull and TALK to them about it? Or is all the wrath limited to complaining about it on this site?

[Unregistered]

Re: Red Bulls P-38

And with all this concern, has anyone who has posted their displeasure actually bothered to contact Red Bull and TALK to them about it? Or is all the wrath limited to complaining about it on this site?

that`s the point - let me just turn that around - as we over here in Austria are also very interested in the GLOBAL warbird and airrace scene, we are - of course - frequently looking up your and many other forums and following your considerations!
don`t speculate too much about colours - although final decision is not made, White Lightning will almost certainly get a polished finish, which will fit her perfectly! (at least, we thought it will!)
Although keep in mind, that the Flying Bulls collection is not really a marketing tool, but especially a kind of toy of a very enthusiastic individual, who wants to share his hobby with many other enthusiasts - just have a look to our homepage: www.flyingbulls.at - you will not find any colour schemes, some of you are expecting!
The SeaVixen (as the Mig over with you) with its colour scheme is a complete other story: it is not owned by Red Bull, only sponsored, and of course a RB marketing tool and has also to fulfill this purpose!
We over here in Europe are more than happy to get also the chance of admiring a P-38 in flight! (maybe even fly :-) )

[stuntflyr]

Re: Red Bulls P-38

Thanks for the note, Mr. Unregistered from Austria.

My personal opinion was that White Lightning's scheme sucked, and my preference was that it should have been painted periodically in the paint scheme's in which it had sported during it's years of racing under the ownership of JD Reed. Firstly, the scheme with the Mobilgas Pegasus' down the sides of the booms. Secondly, the Sky Ranger Oil scheme, a variant of the previous scheme. Lastly, the gorgeous metallic bronze scheme it sported in 1949 as a team mate to Jay Dee, at the same time Del Smith should have painted Evergreen's Mustang to match for a reunion of these two at Reno at some point.

BUT... I don't own any of these airplanes and so I didn't get a say. Lefty liked the white, probably because it was already painted like that and easy to keep. The airplane had deteriorated to a point of being marginally airworthy and though in the past this was accepted as OK for old airplanes, times had changed and the knowledge that the years had told us was that exposure (operationally) would deal the airplane a harsh hand. Luckily, Todd survived and the airplane's remains ware sold to someone whom has the huge bucks necessary to restore it to a high level.

Mr. Unregistered also reveals what I had noticed, the majority of the warbirds in their stable are polished aluminum. Certainly there is nothing controversial about that.

Chris...

[speeddemon]

Re: Red Bulls P-38

BUT... I don't own any of these airplanes and so I didn't get a say. Lefty liked the white, probably because it was already painted like that and easy to keep. ...

Probably had to do more with the fact that it was a derivitave of the original CAF colors. Remember, from the time they started, up through the late 60's and early '70's, ALL of the CAF aircraft were painted white with red and blue trim. I have photos of Corsairs, Mustangs, Thunderbolts, B-25's, and even Texas Raiders in that paint scheme. And at least one other CAF P-38 had the same scheme too.

Lefty modified the paint job on the engine cowlings to be 'scalloped' in '83, but essentially it remained unchanged from the time it was first painted that way.

[Air Race Addict]

Re: Red Bulls P-38

IMPO:
I don't care what she looks like as long as she is flying in top condition and is given the love and care she deserves. I just have one question to Red Bull, and that would be if they will continue to call it White Lightning? In the very beginning of this thread, there was a post with quotes from Red Bull that continue to call her by the name we all know and remember her by. If they do that, I think it will be great. But, once again, I don't care if they called her Tinkerbell, or anything else. She will be flying and will continue to carry the heritage of Lefty and White Lightning. Personally, even though I don't drink Red Bull more than once in a blue moon, I think having a Red Bull paint scheme will only add to the legacy of the airplane. I was kinda bored with the white paint scheme anyways, and love it when the racers show up in Reno with something new and brilliant. After all, how many schemes has Rare Bear, Stiletto, etc. shown up in. That never changed the fan base that I am aware of. Updates are cool. So overall, I agree with the line of reasoning that Brad and Randy have written, with the addition of comments regarding paint scheme updates. I return you to your regular programming...........

[Eric]

Re: Red Bulls P-38

[B]IMPO:
I don't care what she looks like as long as she is flying in top condition and is given the love and care she deserves. /B]

I totally agree. It will a great sight and sound to see her in the air no matter the paint or name.

[speeddemon]

Re: Red Bulls P-38

I guess the REAL question would be.....would Red Bull be willing to let Lefty do ONE LAST aerobatic routine in her at Reno before they ship her overseas? I mean, you want to talk about preserving the heritage and legacy.....it would be like watching Hoover's last performance in the Mustang in '97. Sure, it wasn't any close to what it once was...but it was pure nostalgia, all the way.

[Eric]

Re: Red Bulls P-38

I guess the REAL question would be.....would Red Bull be willing to let Lefty do ONE LAST aerobatic routine in her at Reno before they ship her overseas? I mean, you want to talk about preserving the heritage and legacy.....it would be like watching Hoover's last performance in the Mustang in '97. Sure, it wasn't any close to what it once was...but it was pure nostalgia, all the way.

That would be the proverbial "icing on the cake"!

[Air Race Addict]

Re: Red Bulls P-38

I guess the REAL question would be.....would Red Bull be willing to let Lefty do ONE LAST aerobatic routine in her at Reno before they ship her overseas? I mean, you want to talk about preserving the heritage and legacy.....it would be like watching Hoover's last performance in the Mustang in '97. Sure, it wasn't any close to what it once was...but it was pure nostalgia, all the way.

Well, Bradley, you KNOW I would be all for that! What a great way to send her off. I guess if it couldn't happen that way, maybe one Steve Hinton could do the routine. Not sure of Lefty's status as far as flying her and would Red Bull be comfortable with that. Just a question for my own head I suppose.