N151G Race 75

[Thomas Giboney]

For anyone interested in information or pictures of "Rapid Travel" George Giboney's Thunder Mustang Race 75, I'm the new guy (brother), and I may be able to answer your questions.

[T.F.]

Re: N151G Race 75

Was this TM built/modified specificlly for racing, or is it stock compared to Blue Thunder?
Does this craft have long term plans for Reno or just this year?
Good luck to your team this year. Alot of folks will be happy to see you there.

[Thomas Giboney]

Re: N151G Race 75

When George started this project, I believe he had it in the back of his mind to race it at Reno. The plane has been modified specifically for racing, twin superchargers, intake modifications, cooling system modifications, it has been fully dyno'd and tested...tuned for maximum horsepower and torque...it is fast!! Don't know yet if he is thinking about next year...I believe that his thoughts are on the here and now and doing the best he can this year!

[wingman]

Re: N151G Race 75

Here's a shot of #175 -- a lovely bird! Looking forward to seeing it in September...

[wingman]

Re: N151G Race 75

A couple more...

Note the odd wxhaust stack -- something about test instrumentation.

Neal

[Thomas Giboney]

Re: N151G Race 75

Here are a couple of shots taken by Crew Chief Harry Nelson from his Harmon Rocket on July 28, 2008. Tom

[Thomas Giboney]

Re: N151G Race 75

If you will note, in the photos from Harry Nelson, the extended exhaust manifold had been removed and it was replaced with the stock manifold(s). Also note that the Race number is 75 not 175. At PRS there was a mixup on the registration and two participants had been issued number 75, so George had to improvise with 175. The other participant with 75 DNQ'd and Rapid Travel was officially issued Race 75. Tom

[SCEPTER]

Re: N151G Race 75

I like your paint scheme. Good luck this year and look foward to seeing the TM on the course.

[Lowell]

Re: N151G Race 75

Note also the new belly scoop from the July 28 photos. This is a first on any Thunder Mustang. This was a pleasant surprise when I saw George with it at the Northwest Antique Fly-In at McMinnville, OR on August 16, next to two other Thunder Mustangs!

[thunderstangfan]

Re: N151G Race 75

what about the stock propeller? wasnt there some issues raised about them flexing at higher hp and thats why blue ran the three blade?

[T. Adams]

Re: N151G Race 75

Nice shots Neal, very photogenic plane, and a paint job the AF systems like.

[Thomas Giboney]

Re: N151G Race 75

So far the prop has been able to handle the added torque and HP safely and a new one is not in the program for this year's race. I can tell you that the TM is very fast, even with this prop. We will see just how fast following qualification runs in a couple of weeks!

[W J Pearce]

Re: N151G Race 75

Hello Thomas,

Welcome to AAFO.com. I have been associated with John Parker and Blue Thunder for many years now and as a result, I have hung out with George one week out of the year for the past few years. I hope you will be at Reno and I'm looking forward to meeting you. George is a great guy.

what about the stock propeller? wasnt there some issues raised about them flexing at higher hp and thats why blue ran the three blade?

The 4-blade prop's origins are from the Thunder Mustang being a 3/4 scale of the P-51D. Parker and Hartzell thought 3 wider blades would provide more efficiency and equal bite. When the 4-blade was damaged in a landing accident in 2001, that made the switch to the 3-blade easy. I do not recall Parker or anyone else, having issues with flexing with the MT composite 4 blade. All other TM have run the 4 blade.