AIRLINES

Air Classics, Apr 2005

TWO-SEAT MUSTANG

Really enjoyed the article on the TP-51C Mustang built by John Muszala for Max Chapman. A most unique aircraft and truly a work of art. I agree that the overall red scheme is pretty spectacular but I can certainly understand why Mr. Chapman picked the more conservative color scheme. I went through my Mustang files and found a wartime photograph of the plane in the same scheme and I thought readers might enjoy seeing the picture. By the way, I certainly had never seen the overall yellow two-seater that was in the March "Airlines." It just shows that you never know what is out there!

Alan Brooks

Wheeling, IL

CAPTURED LIGHTNING

I just finished reading the September 2004 issue and found the article on the captured Lightning to be of much interest. On page 16, you show a photograph of a "triumphant American soldier" standing on the horizontal stabilizer. The man is 1st Lt. Roland Wright of the 364th Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force. Although a late comer to the group, Wright shot down a Bf 109 and had the distinction of adding an Me 262 to his score in the closing days of the war. In later years, he was commander of the Utah Air National Guard and is now retired Maj. Gen. Wright. I have attached another photo, this time of Wright sitting in the cockpit. On page 14, you say the aircraft bears the Lockheed factory code 3725 on the nose. I believe this is actually the last four of the USAAF serial 44-23725. Thanks for solving the mystery of this Lightning.

Merle C. Olmsted

Historian, 357th Fighter Group

Via e-mail

BIPLANE FLY-IN

The Florida Antique Biplane Association (FABA) will be flying into Fantasy of Flight on Saturday 26 March. Dozens of vintage aircraft will be flying in during the morning to spend the day while members tour the museum.

FABA started in March 1996 with five Stearmans and one N3N. As a result, the Florida Stearman Owners' Group was born. This initial hard-core group of air beast drivers, as the describe themselves, continued to meet at various airport restaurants and the private airstrips owned by members. The group underwent a metamorphosis and became the Florida Stearman-Antique Biplane Owners Group as attendance swelled and more non-Stearman owners became interested in joining the gatherings. The Antique Aircraft Association took the fledgling group under their wing and they became a chapter of the national organization. Today, FABA has over 70 airworthy biplanes of all types.

We are inviting readers to come see the biplanes and visit the museum. Only FABA members will be allowed to fly in to the museum on 26 March. For more information check out www.fantasyofflight.com.

KT Budde-Jones

Fantasy of Flight

Polk City, FL

ONTOS

Noticed that the former Hawkins &. Powers Fairchild C-82 Packet is up for sale by Mark Clark in Rockford, Illinois. What an historic machine! I am sure your readers realize this is the last flying example. I am hoping it goes to a good home where it is kept in flying shape. Probably fewer readers realize that this plane was owned by many years by TWA and based in Europe to move spare engines between airports. It was named Ontos which is Greek for "The Tiling." It would really be neat if it was painted in its vintage TWA markings. I have enclosed a photo of the plane during its TWA days.

Fred Roberts

Ft. Worth, TX