Awesome P-51 video!

Very nice. I've been in a little bit of a funk since the loss of Gerry Beck, who in my opinion was one of the top contributors in the warbird movement, and probably one of the most approachable P-51/Corsair pilots ever. This video is a bit of a reminder of why people keep these old birds flying.

I'm sitting in a WorldClubs lounge in an airport at 9:00 on a Friday night after a long week of meetings. I could work an easy 9 to 5, but I tell myself that if I keep plugging away, I can have a P-51 someday, if only for a short time. It's been my goal for almost 2/3 of my life. Hope my kids don't expect an inheritance!

I did some math a while back, and it looks like the cost of ownership of a P-51 is only slightly higher than an Eclipse 500 (if you fly it enough).
 
That is absolutely amazing!!

Can you imagine being a 18/19 y/o kid getting into one of those in WWII fully loaded with fuel and as much ammo as you can fit inside and heading off across the English channel flying into the heart of Germany? You would be doing some similar low passes, only instead of a 'low pass' down the length of a runway, it would be down a railroad yard strafing loaded cargo cars. Yeah, it's nice to think that it would be "Cool" and "fun", but when you're getting shot at and your a thousand miles away from anyone 'friendly', it puts a little more reality into the situation.

While the video makes me appreciate the PLANE a little more, it also brings out even more appreciation for the people that flew them and used them to their potential - and beyond.

Hey Matt -- If you get that P-51, I'll go in on a 1/64th share. ;)
 
Yes Chris, I think about that a lot. When I was at Sun N Fun this past April, there was a P-51 painted in the markings of WDC, the Mustang flown by Col. Don Blakeslee the CO of the 4th Fighter group during WWII. I was reminded of a story in 1000 Destroyed, The Life and Times of the 4th Fighter Group by Grover C. Hall. In this story, he tells of the first "shuttle" mission when the group, led by Col Blakeslee, escorted B-17's across Germany and on into Russia. There has been an ongoing difference of opinion between Blakeslee and "Deacon" Hively as to whether the group was one minute late, or exactly on time when they landed in Russia.
 
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Great video, but too soon for me to watch. Crying again damn it ................... I'm such a girl.
 
I finally got to see the video. Talk about a beautiful and graceful flight. I'd love to be sitting in the seat with that camera's view.
 
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