• Welcome to the CaliforniaSpecial.com forums! - You are currently viewing the forums as a GUEST. To take advantage of all our site features, please take a moment to join our community! It's fast, simple and absolutely free.

    If you have problems registering or can't log into your account, please contact Admin.

    Please Note: If you are an existing member and your password no longer works, click here to reset it.

Airplane lovers, sad day.

hookedtrout

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 28, 2003
Messages
1,929
Location
Idaho
A local collector, John Bagley, had to put his P51 Mustang down in the media between the freeway while out testing a newly rebuilt engine, Rolls I believe, he walked away with only a few bruises which was great news as he's a really great guy but the beautiful P51 didn't fair so well. He does have another P51, "Ole Yeller" but it sure was a shame to see this one in a pile. We watched both of his P51's fly during an air show this summer, and driving by the accident Thursday afternoon made me sick, they had 3 P51's at the show flying together it was an awesome site.

Here's the crash article

http://www.localnews8.com/news/local/4986806.html

Here's the plane prior to crashing.

http://www.mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/survivors/pages/67-22579.shtml

Cory
 

rvrtrash

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 25, 2003
Messages
3,649
That looks ugly Cory. It's a shame the plane was lost but at least he walked away from it ok.

Steve
 

sam

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 2, 2003
Messages
494
Boy you are right about the P51 being an awesome/respected fighter plane. There was a guy in Nashua that used to own one and he lived in my part of town. I used to go down to the airport to watch him take off and fly around. It was a real treat because he used to buzz the neighborhood and I'd love to hear that Rolls Royce engine howl.................nothing like it.
Too bad about the crash out your way, but glad the pilot and everyone else did not get hurt. I am a B-17 WW11 fanatic, and have followed that plane and war stories very closely. In fact I have a collectors plate that depicts B-17's on a mission and being escorted by a P-51 named Old Crow. If you are a P-51 fan, there is an awesome painting by Nicolas Trudgian titled Welcome Respite that shows a scene in England with P-51's coming back from a mission.
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays.
Sam
 

quicknick

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 20, 2002
Messages
344
Location
Michigan
That is a sad story indeed. My boss lost his P-51D (named Grim Reaper) a few years back. He crashed it at the Ontario (Canada) Air show while attempting a difficult manuver. He walked away with only a few broken bones, but the airplane lies in a million pieces here on our hangar floor. This was one of 2 planes lost in the past 15 yrs.
It will be repaired and restored again in the future.
Like our Mustangs, "everything can be fixed."
Cory, It's a blessing to see your pilot was not killed. I Worked as an aircraft mechanic at a local FBO from 1980 until 1995. We are affiliated with the Kalamazoo Air Zoo here in Kalamazoo Mi. Along with wrenching on the corporate stuff, I've had the pleasure of restoring many a war bird for the musium. These old planes have a special place in my heart. It saddens me to see one lost as your article states. Nicholas
 

Midnight Special

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 5, 2005
Messages
3,713
Location
Grass Valley, California
Boy, you guys...

...get near & dear to my heart when you start talking P-51 Mustangs - my original inspiration for wanting the four wheeled version in the first place ;-) It's always sad when one goes down, but like our "Mustangs", there are owners and shops dedicated to keeping these Merlined beauties flying. Thankfully; Mr. Bagely was able to walk away!

Cory, below is a pic of John's other Mustang "Ole Yeller" (with a Tiger on his tail;-) at Reno last year.

Something for you too Sam... My late great uncle flew 28 missions in a B-17 he named "Old Crow" where he was shot up perty badly on his last mission only to crash land in a field after crossing the white cliffs of Dover England upon return. Ironicly - The P-51 "Old Crow" was flown by nearby resident Col. C.E. Bud Anderson whereby he signed a number of prints which I was able to "gift" to the family... He too is a "gentlemans" gentleman! P-51 Ace, Chuck Yeager lives here too...

Sam, My mother attended my great uncle's (303rd BG 8th AF) reunion in Molesworth England on his belalf. When she returned, we "kids" treated her to a suprise flight aboard "Sentimental Journey" where she commented; "That was always something I wanted to do before I die"! ...She did a year later...

Sorry to ramble on here, but the driving weather sucks today! ;-))) Thank you for the topical post. Always nice to see others who are nostalgic of our greatest generation and their accomplishments! Have you hugged a Vet today?? :) Tim
 

Attachments

  • B17 .jpg
    B17 .jpg
    64.8 KB · Views: 23
  • re13.jpg
    re13.jpg
    52.8 KB · Views: 18
  • Old Crow.jpg
    Old Crow.jpg
    34.6 KB · Views: 16
  • two P-51e.jpg
    two P-51e.jpg
    91.9 KB · Views: 23

sam

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 2, 2003
Messages
494
Tim, thanks for sharing your story. I have the utmost respect for the pilots of WW11 who flew bombers, transports and fighters. You must feel honored that your Great Uncle flew the famed Flying Fortress for 28 missions. I believe there was about a 75% chance to be shot down during the war.

Speaking of Bud Anderson, I saw him recount some of his adventures on the History Channel a few weeks back. We are certainly more indedbted to our Vets everywhere.
Sam
 
OP
OP
hookedtrout

hookedtrout

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 28, 2003
Messages
1,929
Location
Idaho
Hey Tim that's a great shot of John's "Ole Yeller" I see him fly over off and on all summer long, he and Danny Summers chasing each other out playing, it sure looks like a lot of fun. Danny has two War Birds both are Sky Raiders and they are really nice too but I like the P-51's best.

So are they really fixable? Be interesting to see if he rebuilds it.

Cory
 

quicknick

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 20, 2002
Messages
344
Location
Michigan
Also Sam, I failed to mention in my post that my great uncle flew during the war as well. Athough not a B-29, he and his B-26 Martin Marauder (named "Lucy-Quipment" with full blown naked pinup painted on the fuse) flew 30 successful missions over Italy and the surrounding Mediterranean. He has since past away. But my aunt still has a large photo of him, his crew and his aircraft hanging on her wall. Everytime I see it, it stirs up memories of all the wild war stories he told me as a kid. (most of them embelished I'm sure), but I didn't care. He was a man's man and hero's hero. I've always loved ww2 fighter pilot and bomber stories.
Next time I get out to my Aunt's house, I'll try to talk her into letting me scan that great pic so I can post it.
 

Midnight Special

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 5, 2005
Messages
3,713
Location
Grass Valley, California
hookedtrout said:
Hey Tim that's a great shot of John's "Ole Yeller" I see him fly over off and on all summer long, he and Danny Summers chasing each other out playing, it sure looks like a lot of fun. Danny has two War Birds both are Sky Raiders and they are really nice too but I like the P-51's best.

So are they really fixable? Be interesting to see if he rebuilds it.

Cory

...Yes Cory. More P-51s are airworthy today than ever because of specialized airframe builders and abundance of Merlin engines after the hydroplaners went to jets. They're tooled such that all you need is a good data plate and alot of $$$. I've seen many crashed P-51s plus alot of corroded "ramp rats" emerge as better than "factory". Namely places like "Fighter Rebuilders", "Sanders Aircraft" and "Aero Traders" to name a few...

While cleaning out our warehouse at Litton in 1994, I stumbled on a huge cache of WWII a/c parts to include instruments, gunsights, turbo-superchargers, gun turret drives, B-17 hatches, radios, hydraulic parts, engines, pistons... you name it that were left over from turning WWII bombers into air tankers here during the '50s. My boss was going to have it hauled to the dump and I said WHOOAAA! I contacted Carl Scholl of Aero Traders who flew up here with Dennis Sanders. They bought the whole lot and had two big semi's haul it away... I got a nice bonus that year ;-)

One example of what was thought of as a "totalled" P-51 is shown below... A rare "A" model that was found crashed in Alaska while on its way to Russia as part of Lend-Lease. Vitually every component was re-created from the original pieces or factory drawings! ...I think people like "PFSlim" can relate ;-)

It's a poor shot, but I'll edit w/ a better one when I bring my camera chip in next. Another pic of Bagely's "Ole Yeller" too...
 

Attachments

  • re12.jpg
    re12.jpg
    46.9 KB · Views: 22
  • re2.jpg
    re2.jpg
    47.7 KB · Views: 21

Midnight Special

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 5, 2005
Messages
3,713
Location
Grass Valley, California
quicknick said:
HHHMMM....... That second pic looks like our F7F Tigercat.

...That it does - but it's actually Mike Brown's and is based at Ione, CA. It is the most "perfect" remaining F7F because it was never converted into an air tanker (not to take anything away from Kalamazoo's:)

Now, Don't get me started on F7Fs!!!!!!!! ;-))

P.S. Thanks guys for the "posting" pleasure... MERRY CHRISTMAS!
 

Attachments

  • te.jpg
    te.jpg
    47 KB · Views: 21
Last edited:

quicknick

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 20, 2002
Messages
344
Location
Michigan
Midnight Special said:
...That it does - but it's actually Mike Brown's and is based at Ione, CA. It is the most "perfect" remaining F7F because it was never converted into an air tanker (not to take anything away from Kalamazoo's:)

Now, Don't get me started on F7Fs!!!!!!!! ;-))

P.S. Thanks guys for the "posting" pleasure... MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Outstanding pic. I remember now, we had this Tigercat conversation before.
Hope you guys have a great Holiday. Nick
 

Midnight Special

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 5, 2005
Messages
3,713
Location
Grass Valley, California
Midnight Special said:
...Yes Cory. More P-51s are airworthy today than ever because of specialized airframe builders and abundance of Merlin engines after the hydroplaners went to jets. They're tooled such that all you need is a good data plate and alot of $$$. I've seen many crashed P-51s plus alot of corroded "ramp rats" emerge as better than "factory". Namely places like "Fighter Rebuilders", "Sanders Aircraft" and "Aero Traders" to name a few...

One example of what was thought of as a "totalled" P-51 is shown below... A rare "A" model that was found crashed in Alaska while on its way to Russia as part of Lend-Lease. Vitually every component was re-created from the original pieces or factory drawings! ...I think people like "PFSlim" can relate ;-)

It's a poor shot, but I'll edit w/ a better one when I bring my camera chip in next....

...Here ya' go Cory...
 

Attachments

  • DSC_0160.JPG
    DSC_0160.JPG
    60.2 KB · Views: 22
  • DSC_0147.JPG
    DSC_0147.JPG
    64.3 KB · Views: 20
  • DSC_0161.JPG
    DSC_0161.JPG
    68.6 KB · Views: 22
OP
OP
hookedtrout

hookedtrout

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 28, 2003
Messages
1,929
Location
Idaho
Midnight Special said:
...Here ya' go Cory...

Beautiful aren't they!

I'll keep you posted on what happens to John's P51, he actually owns an airplane museum that we frequent and I'll ask what the plan is and keep you posted. I'm hearing that he only insured them when he raced at the Reno races but he has money so that may not be a big deal.

Cory
 
OP
OP
hookedtrout

hookedtrout

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 28, 2003
Messages
1,929
Location
Idaho
From the local paper Thursday.

REXBURG - The owner of the P-51 Mustang that crashed Dec. 21 on Highway 20 plans to rebuild the historic aircraft. Although pilot John Bagley was able to walk away from the crash of his P-51, the aircraft was badly damaged. "We'll rebuild the aircraft," Bagley said. " It's too important a part of history not to. It'll take two to three years to get it back together." The crash occurred while Bagley was doing a test flight of the aircraft and the engine quit running. He said he is unsure why the engine quit. "I don't know that we'll ever know. The most important thing to me is that no one was hurt on the road. That's the thing I'm most grateful for," he said. The site of the crash was on Highway 20 just north of the center Rexburg interchange. The aircraft came to a rest in the median with the fuselage on its side and the wing section partially separated from the fuselage. Bagley said there is a company in North Dakota that will rebuild the aircraft. He said that some components of the engine are salvageable. The P-51 which is called the "Mormon Mustang" was part of the collection at the Legacy Flight Museum at the Rexburg Airport. According to the Web site www.mustangsmustangs.com/p-51/p51.shtml, the P-51 is a World War II era fighter plane that was built by North American Aviation and saw service in numerous wartime theaters throughout the world. There are around 151 of the aircraft that are still in flyable condition. Bagley said he doesn't know the World War II history of the plane, but after the war it was flown by the Bolivian Air Force. Although he has been in two other plane crashes, Bagley said, " Do I think flying is safe? Yes, I do. My son flies, and I will continue to fly." In one of the other incidents, he landed the plane without damage, in the other he was burned and the plane was a total loss.
 

Midnight Special

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 5, 2005
Messages
3,713
Location
Grass Valley, California
hookedtrout said:
Beautiful aren't they!

I'll keep you posted on what happens to John's P51, he actually owns an airplane museum that we frequent and I'll ask what the plan is and keep you posted. I'm hearing that he only insured them when he raced at the Reno races but he has money so that may not be a big deal.

Cory

...Found a couple more pics of Mr. Bagely racing his stock P-51 "Ole Yeller" at Reno last Sept. Included is a picture of "Precious Metal" to show some of the extremes owners go thru to get just a few more MPHs...

...A tad bit more than a hidden "stroker" and racing slicks!...
;-)
 

Attachments

  • DSC_0300.jpg
    DSC_0300.jpg
    51.5 KB · Views: 21
  • DSC_0294.jpg
    DSC_0294.jpg
    60.1 KB · Views: 22
  • DSC_0296.jpg
    DSC_0296.jpg
    58.2 KB · Views: 17
OP
OP
hookedtrout

hookedtrout

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 28, 2003
Messages
1,929
Location
Idaho
Nice! Wish I was in there right now instead of couped up in the house waiting for spring to spring.

Cory
 
Top