CorkyJr seen in an unbroken 80th Headhunter 38!

[Guppy35]

While you guys have spent the day bickering about who has the biggest joystick, I was much more productive.  I got into a Mustang at age 14, a Spitfire at 25 a B24 at 35 and a P38 at 51!  Green trim on that baby too!

The Mrs. and my littlest Matthew went out to visit Warhawks LLC where Ruff Stuff, Twilight Tear, Sweet Revenge and two P40s are located.  Chatted with the owner who was out there with his grandson who he was taking up for a ride in his BT-13.  He then came back and took his P40E for a spin.  In the meantime we got the grand tour and I got into the 38L cockpit of "Ruff Stuff", and one of the A&P guys took Matthew into the cockpit of P51D "Sweet Revenge".  The Mrs. did the camera work.  The dazed look on the old man shouldn't need to be explained beyond getting into a real 38

Ruff Stuff, in 80th FS Markings of Lt. Norb Ruff


CorkyJr wondering if he can start it up and go, or at least auger it properly


38 cockpit.


Number 2 son saying forget the 38s, I see a Mustang!


Matthew on the wing of 2010 Oshkosh Grand Champion warbird, 78th FG combat vet "Twilight Tear"


Matthew in the cockpit of P51D "Sweet Revenge" in 334th FS, 4th FG markings


P40E in 325th FG "Checkertail Clan" markings just prior to start up and a test hop.  Oh that Allison sounded sweet!


P40K under restoration in the hanger.


Nothing like taking your boy to see some real life warbird.  Matthew in a vintage A-11 flying helmet with B-7 goggles.  When the P40 went up, the look on his face was about like this.  Awe.

[Masherbrum]

THAT is what this game is about.   Thank you for sharing Dan.   

[Shifty]

Cute son you have Dan. He's a lucky lil fella Mrs Guppy came along.
 

[PFactorDave]

Outstanding!  I'm jealous!

[Guppy35]

Cute son you have Dan. He's a lucky lil fella Mrs Guppy came along.
 

I'm sure the only way I got into that 38 was because of Matthew.  He charms everyone he meets.  They loved him.  The Owner of all those birds took to him right away, and he latched on to the A&P guy immediately.  Was fun to watch him carry Matthew out closer to the P40 when they started it up and the owner taxied out.  Matthew was signing the prop spinning and airplane.  Absolutely made my day.  Nothing better then sharing it with your kid.

[PFactorDave]

Have you had him flying Aces High yet?  My 8 year old daughter loves flying offline.  One of these days I'm going to turn her loose in the MA and see what happens.

[oakranger]

WTG!   

[1Boner]

Awesome!  Great shots!!!!

[Guppy35]

Have you had him flying Aces High yet?  My 8 year old daughter loves flying offline.  One of these days I'm going to turn her loose in the MA and see what happens.

My oldest son was an AH flyer back in the day.  Airwarrior before that.  Always a better stick too

[Karnak]

Very nice.  Thanks for sharing.  I bet your son had a great time.

How'd it feel to get into that P-38?

[B-17]

Have you had him flying Aces High yet?  My 8 year old daughter loves flying offline.  One of these days I'm going to turn her loose in the MA and see what happens.

She can fight (win) against me--> that's the only place I've ever really flown

[cactuskooler]

Ahh I wouldn't mind sitting in a real 38. Get to play with the yoke? How'd it feel?

[katanaso]

The pictures of Matthew are heartwarming.

What a tremendously awesome experience you just shared!

[Guppy35]

Ahh I wouldn't mind sitting in a real 38. Get to play with the yoke? How'd it feel?

In all honesty it felt familiar due to this silly game we play.  They've done a nice job on our 38s.  The cockpit was very comfortable with the controls easy to reach.  The view over the nose looked about the same as in game.  The thing is huge though.  Twilight Tear was right next to it, and it looked about half the size.  It makes you wonder what it was really like to have to muscle that thing around the sky, at least before the power assisted controls of the J-25 and L.  I didn't close the canopy so I don't know how the view left and right would have  been, but it seems like the edge of the side windows would have been close to eye height.

Apparently the plan is to restore it completely once they finish their P40K project.  That means restoring the gun bays, and everything else to stock.  Seeing the work they've done on their P40E and P51D "Twilight Tear", I can't wait to see what they do with the 38L. 

[Stogie]

Great Pictures!!  One question though.... Did you make airplane sounds while you were sitting in it?