To All Pony Lovers

[Psyco]

Well, if you're a lover of P51s you can join me in being envious of my Dad "SE" of the Braunco Mustangs... A very close friend of ours in Chicago is somewhat of a War Bird collector/restorer and in addition to the two ponies linked below which SE is getting rides in this June, he has a Sea Fury about 90% completed, from the rubber-up, an AT6 Texan, Grummon Widgeon, Grummon Goose and a Grummon Albatros. Of interest to collectors, note Geraldine was restored by Chuck 'original' with fully functional armament (yes, functional). I tried to get SE to let me make the 16 hour drive to join him, but he hasn't replied, do you think he wants the ponies all to himself?? My Dad got Chuck started in flying 20+ years ago and the guy does an incredible job of restoring these birds. He tears them down and rebuilds them from the rubber up, every single piece is checked and if required rebuilt to spec in his Tool & Die business. The test pilot is also his full-time mechanic who's job is to restore, test fly, and fly to keep them in 110% shape for Chuck. When we went fly-in fishing a couple of years ago up here in Chuck's Grummon Goose he let me fly right-seat the entire trip, I got about 3 hours flight time that weekend..... At times leaving the nest is not a good thing. Oh well, back to reality aka, my desk.... POOF

Psyco


Geraldine Lou IV

[Pongo]

Going fishing in a goose. Sounds like a blast

[Psyco]

Yep, it was an incredible experience to say the least. Wildest part was on take-off (water), with the high mounted radials, until you got air over the stab you plow water and it literally flows over the nose into the windscreen, I swore we were in a sub diving. EXTREMELY noisy however, we had to wear headsets and use intercom at all times while the engines were running. When seated up-front the props are right at your 3 & 9 o'clock positions even with your ears, and these props are on the front of a pair of 450 hp P&W R-985 SERIES radials!

Psyco

[slimm50]

Psycho, I'm green with envy  Thanks for sharing!

[Widewing]

Originally posted by Psyco
Grummon Widgeon, Grummon Goose and a Grummon Albatros.

I loved our old Grumman HU-16 Albatrosses, we had the last two active in the USN down in Guantanamo.

I managed to log about 120 hours in them before they were finally retired 1976, although the Coasties flew HU-16s for a few years afterward.

There's nothing quite like an old amphibian or flying boat.

My regards,

Widewing

[aSTAR]

HEY PSYCO don't tell them too much, I may be checked out
this June, I know the T6 will be flying under my control, but
the P51D ride is a little different as time progresses;)

Will info you as to schedual & flights, I hope Chuck is
waxing those A/C I like a shiny A/C glittering in the Sun
in a Split S

se

[gofaster]

Originally posted by Psyco
When seated up-front the props are right at your 3 & 9 o'clock positions even with your ears, and these props are on the front of a pair of 450 hp P&W R-985 SERIES radials!

Psyco

I'd be scared to death to sit in that seat, out of fear of the engines throwing a prop!

[Psyco]

Originally posted by s-eagle
HEY PSYCO don't tell them too much, I may be checked out
this June, I know the T6 will be flying under my control, but
the P51D ride is a little different as time progresses;)

Will info you as to schedual & flights, I hope Chuck is
waxing those A/C I like a shiny A/C glittering in the Sun
in a Split S

se

Oh sure, now you're going to taunt me in the forum! Remember Pop, I'll be the one hanging onto the tail wheel.... I really think you and Chuck should come here to Winnipeg on one of your hops, at the P51's cruise of 325@10k it would only be 2.5 hours and 188 galons of fuel one-way! What is avgas now, $4.00 per gallon? That would only be $1,500 round trip to get your favorite #1 son a ride in a P51.. Come-on pleeeease Daddy? (don't tell anyone I'm 47) hehe.. It's not like I'm asking to get a ride in LOU IV and Geraldine...

Psyco:D

yes, no shame here