Bardahl Special

[xmh53wrench]

Ok, guys and gals, dust off the cobwebs. Looking for some detailing info on Race #8 Bardahl Special N2869D. Circ. 1964 or 65.

This photo courtesy of Sledge39 was dated as 1964...


So I am making the assumption that the photos with "Bardahl Special" all in black was 1965.

I am also making the assumption that the yellow is the same "canary/primrose" yellow used on the decals.

What I am needing is some info on the cockpit and engine compartment colors. Also engine colors, including valve covers, coolant and header tanks. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Also for you modelers out there, if anybody has any extra 1/48 or 1/32 P-51D rear canopies they wouldn't mind parting with, PM me.

Thanks folks

[Big_Jim]

Re: Bardahl Special

Check your PM's...and yes, I think I have a spare Hasegawa canopy in 1/32 you can have.

[sledge39]

Re: Bardahl Special

... more from Reno '64 ...

... at SKYRANCH after the cross-county race from St. Petersburgh, FL ...

... Lyford taxing out for an engine run at RNO...

[BuckyD]

Re: Bardahl Special

Awesome historic color photography, as usual, Sledge!

Many thanks for sharing your great stuff fm the vaults.



DBD

[Reever]

Re: Bardahl Special

I wonder what kind of range the takes gave him? Looks cool even with the tanks.

[xmh53wrench]

Re: Bardahl Special

Sledge39, those photos are amazing!!!! Thank you so very much!!!!
That is the perfect shot of the engine compartment. Another example of the attention to detail that these race planes receive that I am sure is understated to the general public nowadays. That airplane looks so crisp, clean and detailed (barring the exhaust trail....which is just cool).

I also notice there is alot of flat black around the cockpit, really makes me wonder what the rest of the cockpit looked like. Also did this plane have a jump seat?

Also if somebody has a pic of a P-51 cockpit with a jumpseat, I would greatly appreciate it.

I am also being told the yellow on the graphics is more of a goldenrod color.

Love the coveralls, BTW!!!!

Thanks again....wow

[Arctic Cat]

Re: Bardahl Special

Is that the original Super Tug in the background of the second pic?

[Big_Jim]

Re: Bardahl Special

I believe that's Dixon Smith in the coveralls...thin, wirey, and in Converse.

[tele1]

Re: Bardahl Special

The Bardahl Special is one of the best looking Mustangs EVER.
Great photos.

[Big_Jim]

Re: Bardahl Special

The Bardahl Special is one of the best looking Mustangs EVER.
Great photos.

It looked really sharp as "Challenger" in 1966 too.

[xmh53wrench]

Re: Bardahl Special

It looked really sharp as "Challenger" in 1966 too.

TEASE!!!

[CarolinaChuck]

Re: Bardahl Special

Wrench,

Don't know if this helps:

http://www.airliners.net/photo/North-American-P-51D/0030642/M/

I think it is a photo of the cockpit in 1996?

Chuck

[mouse_man_2]

Re: Bardahl Special -"The Doc"

This is the plane that started it all for "The Doc"

I was 12 years old when Dwight talked about stopping by to look over this fine piece.

If I remember right, Dwight was working at Boeing on night shift at plant 2. Spotted the Mustang on the east side and had to check it out.
(He was relatively fresh out of A&P school).

He struck up a conversation with Chuck.
Chuck needed some one to work on the Mustang.
The historic life began.

Thanks for posting.
Sure brings back some great memories.
I wish I had paid closer attention to the events that were unfolding.

All I wanted to do was drive the tug around the hanger rows at Paine field.

Thanks again,
Dwight's little brother
Mark

[Big_Jim]

Re: Bardahl Special

I believe that's Dixon Smith in the coveralls...thin, wirey, and in Converse.

Chuck and I were laughing about the photos the other day (thanks Sledge!) and he seemed to think that the guy in the engine run-up photo is actually DAVID Smith, Dixon's brother. Of course, both David, Dixon, AND their father all played on the Miss Bardahl hydroplane team, so it makes sense that they would all play with Chuck's plane too!

[xmh53wrench]

Re: Bardahl Special

Thanks for chiming in Mark, I had just re-read Chuck's portion in "Wet Wings & Drop Tanks" yesterday, and his recalling of your brother.