Red Bull's P-38 update

[Chad Veich]

Re: Red Bull's P-38 update

I guess I'm the odd man out here as I would prefer it not be re-finished as Lefty had it. Every time I saw it during Lefty's ownership the first thing that came to my mind was "I wish Lefty would get rid of the CAF house colors and put that bird back in a military paint job". This airplane has entered a new era in its' life and I think a new finish is a great idea. OK, I've got my flak jacket on, fire away!

[AirDOGGe]

Re: Red Bull's P-38 update

Lefty's plane was one of my favorites. I grew up in Lemmon Valley and loved watching the planes from my roof. Man, some great memories! I'm glad to see it is being worked on. I can't wait to hear the sound of a P-38 coming around the pylons again!

I hate to be the bringer of bad news, but we may never see that plane race at Reno ever again. Red Bull's collection of aircraft are used for advertising, not racing competition. Also, it's been said that the plane may be going overseas.

(fingers crossed that this will not happen, and that RB will use it to advertise their product in the USA as an airshow performer).

I consider those who have seen TWO lightnings circling the course (Lefty & Gary) very fortunate. I envy you.

[tex-fan]

Re: Red Bull's P-38 update

Well as for me, I'm just really glad it's going to get a FIRST class restoration. I'd much rather see it back in the air [where ever Red Bulls decides keep it] than it be broken and stuck on the ground.

[440_Magnum]

Re: Red Bull's P-38 update

I guess I'm the odd man out here as I would prefer it not be re-finished as Lefty had it. Every time I saw it during Lefty's ownership the first thing that came to my mind was "I wish Lefty would get rid of the CAF house colors and put that bird back in a military paint job". This airplane has entered a new era in its' life and I think a new finish is a great idea. OK, I've got my flak jacket on, fire away!

Well, ownership trumps all else in my opinion. The owner can do whatever they want, we're just talking personal preferences.

Me, I would love to see N25Y always stay "White Lightnin'" in red white and blue. After all, that particular airframe has been a racer/performer 99.9% of its life, and ALL the other P-38s left in the world are in one military scheme or another. Air racing is as much (more, if you count by the calendar) of the history of warbirds as the war was.

[tex-fan]

Re: Red Bull's P-38 update

I thought everyone would like to see the new pics, Check out Red Bulls P-38 on ezell's web site, http://www.ezellaviation.com/index.htm , i got to get over there SOON and see it in person.

[AAFO_WSagar]

Re: Red Bull's P-38 update

I thought everyone would like to see the new pics, Check out Red Bulls P-38 on ezell's web site, http://www.ezellaviation.com/index.htm , i got to get over there SOON and see it in person.

Hey Tex.. thanks for keeping us up to date!

Though I'd have loved to see the $$ lavished on the airplane and see it kept in Lefty's hands... Lefty's got a comfy retirement (hopefully) now and all's good.

That there is $$ around to see these birds back to their glory is pretty special. I just hope that the rich history of this particular bird is not lost in the "remanufacturing" of a Lockheed treasure..

Wayne

[Bill Marsh]

Re: Red Bull's P-38 update

Good looking ladies, who radiate self confidence look good in any clothes


..... or none at all!


BM

[WARPT]

Re: Red Bull's P-38 update

Last update for 2006 of "White Lightning" on the Ezell Aviation site.
Looks like she is coming along nicely!!!

http://www.ezellaviation.com/index.htm

I'm sure you all know this....click on the "P-38 UPDATE" button for lots more pictures of left wing installation.

[allison111]

Re: Red Bull's P-38 update

A bit of trivia concerning the color scheme of "White Lightnin". I helped crew the airplane for Lefty for 13 years. In the early 90's some museum group contacted Lefty and wanted to paint the airplane in the colors of either Tommy McGuire or Dick Bong, I am not sure which. They would have paid for the paint job and would have maintained it. Lefty asked the crew to make the decision. We opted to leave it in the "White Lightnin" colors as it had been a racing and show airplane much longer than it had been a miltary aircraft.

[jabbott]

Re: Red Bull's P-38 update

Conerning comments about the nose with no guns, this Lockheed Lightning is really an F-5G-6-LO Photo-Recon version, so no guns would be appropriate.

[MikeS]

Re: Red Bull's P-38 update

Found this picture of the Red Bull P-38 yesterday.

http://flytoanothertime.blogspot.com/2008/06/p38-flies.html

[AirDOGGe]

Re: Red Bull's P-38 update

She looks awesome, but strange that there's no mention of her completion on the Ezell Aviation site. Thre last report just discusses the tornado and the minor damage to the lightning.

I guess they just got too busy to update. The tornado certainly created lots of work for them, including rebuilding their own business.

[Victor Archer]

Re: Red Bull's P-38 update

She looks awesome, but strange that there's no mention of her completion on the Ezell Aviation site.

Looks like there getting ready to post images from the first three days of flight testing The date on he heading is wrong, the last couple pix were taken June 2

http://www.ezellaviation.com/Past%20Pages/P38/1stdayflight.html

[AirDOGGe]

Re: Red Bull's P-38 update

I spoke too soon by a matter of hours...lol.

[Victor Archer]

Re: Red Bull's P-38 update

The photo gallery has been updated!!!