Post by coachharry on May 3, 2021 16:05:36 GMT -5
Hello fellow Sim-Aviators!
Since my last Thread showed our works on Reno-Racers, we thought like: "Hold on... there were other Races too, setting Milestones of its own!"
Maybe the most famous of those was the Bendix Trophy Air Race, first performed by Propeller driven Aircraft, later transfered to Jets. We thought we should do some Repaints of Racers of that time, racing from different locations to Cleveland (except 2 years, where the target destination was changed), later changed to Los Angeles. For now... let´s get started:
Bendix-Racer #13
This remarkable Plane was owned by famous Jackie Cochran and participated to the Bendix Trophy in the years 1946 to 1948. In the first Race in 1946 this Airplane carried two P-38-Droptanks, due to not being modified to carry more fuel in the wings on time. While dropping the Tanks, they did not release freely, damaging the Trailing edge of the Wings, causing additional drag leading to a 2nd Place. The following year wasn´t any more lucky. Problems with the Pprop-Gouvanour limited her Airspeed so she could only finish 4th. In 1948 she finished 3rd, but faith was ready to beat her again. After her last Race, Jackie asked a friend, Sampson Held, to fly #13 back home. Sadly, the Plane crashed on the way. Whitnesses reported a Wing coming loose, followed by an Explosion. Pilot and Plane were lost
Here she is, #13, in its "Lucky-Strike-Green"
Registrations N28388 were applied vertically on the Rudder...
... on the top right wing...
... and on the lowwer left Wing. The top shows a white "13", like on both sides of the fuselage
Bendix Racer #46
This P-51C, registered NX1204, was able to win the Bendix Trophy three times, set a new Transcontinental Record in both directions and several Speed Records flying from City to City. Owned and flown by Paul Mantz this #42 was the most successful Bird in the Post-WWII-Aera. She started racing the Bedix Race in 1948, but could not finish due to engine problems. The following year brought her first win. This Plane survived until today, her Red Dress was taken off (but not completely as it seems), still registered NX1204, now named "Ina the Macon Belle", owned by Kermit Weeks, "Fantasy of Flight", Polk City, Florida, USA
At least the #46 was a little more colourful, showing a white Stripe on both sides
All Markings and Tags were applied in White on Bright-Red
On the Port Side a Signature of Paul Mantz can be read, in front of the "Experimaental"-Tag under the Canopy. Behind that all effords and Records can be seen
This Plane was assembled from parts of several planes, so even North American Aviation did not have a Serial-Production-Number. Because of that it is not sure if it is a B-or a C-model of the P-51. It was owned by James "Jimmy" Steward, who later became a famous Actor in Hollywood, but back in these days he was a retired U.S. Army Air Corps-Pilot. In most Races in wich the "Thunderbolt participated, Joe DeBona flew, with James Steward still being the owner. The Machine was sold and re-sold several times. Owners were (next to others) Jackie Cochran, again James Steward and Joe DeBona. In 1954, when it was Mrs. Cochran´s Plane, it was repainted in Black and Yellow and renamed "Mr. Alex", honoring Mr. Steward´s father. But sadly, one year later in 1955, Pilot and Owner James Cook was forced to bail out and escape by Parachute because of a Landig Gear Malfunction resulting in a crash where the Airplane got destroyed.
But good News are on the way: Aircorps Aviation (who allready restored the famous P-51C "Lope´s Hope 3rd" in 2018) annouced plans to build a new "Thunderbird"! Restoration Progress is yet not far enough to show some visible Images, but we are curious, we´ll hang on there!
Here you can see the whole Crew-Names, the "Experimental"-state-tag and the Main Sponsor "Pegasus". And yes: Our Pilots wear Hawaii-Shirts!!
I really like the combination of that deep Blue and Golden-Yellow appliances
Those bright colours and oversized Registrations were chosen for an easier Identification if something should happen during the long distance Races. These Colours simply made them easier to find in difficult Terrains
So... yet again I hope you like what I felt like showing here. A short reply would be very much appreciated...
... maybe here or even there: www.facebook.com/VirtualAircraftRestoration
Stay curious for more to come!
Coach Harry
Since my last Thread showed our works on Reno-Racers, we thought like: "Hold on... there were other Races too, setting Milestones of its own!"
Maybe the most famous of those was the Bendix Trophy Air Race, first performed by Propeller driven Aircraft, later transfered to Jets. We thought we should do some Repaints of Racers of that time, racing from different locations to Cleveland (except 2 years, where the target destination was changed), later changed to Los Angeles. For now... let´s get started:
Bendix-Racer #13
This remarkable Plane was owned by famous Jackie Cochran and participated to the Bendix Trophy in the years 1946 to 1948. In the first Race in 1946 this Airplane carried two P-38-Droptanks, due to not being modified to carry more fuel in the wings on time. While dropping the Tanks, they did not release freely, damaging the Trailing edge of the Wings, causing additional drag leading to a 2nd Place. The following year wasn´t any more lucky. Problems with the Pprop-Gouvanour limited her Airspeed so she could only finish 4th. In 1948 she finished 3rd, but faith was ready to beat her again. After her last Race, Jackie asked a friend, Sampson Held, to fly #13 back home. Sadly, the Plane crashed on the way. Whitnesses reported a Wing coming loose, followed by an Explosion. Pilot and Plane were lost
Here she is, #13, in its "Lucky-Strike-Green"
Registrations N28388 were applied vertically on the Rudder...
... on the top right wing...
... and on the lowwer left Wing. The top shows a white "13", like on both sides of the fuselage
Bendix Racer #46
This P-51C, registered NX1204, was able to win the Bendix Trophy three times, set a new Transcontinental Record in both directions and several Speed Records flying from City to City. Owned and flown by Paul Mantz this #42 was the most successful Bird in the Post-WWII-Aera. She started racing the Bedix Race in 1948, but could not finish due to engine problems. The following year brought her first win. This Plane survived until today, her Red Dress was taken off (but not completely as it seems), still registered NX1204, now named "Ina the Macon Belle", owned by Kermit Weeks, "Fantasy of Flight", Polk City, Florida, USA
At least the #46 was a little more colourful, showing a white Stripe on both sides
All Markings and Tags were applied in White on Bright-Red
On the Port Side a Signature of Paul Mantz can be read, in front of the "Experimaental"-Tag under the Canopy. Behind that all effords and Records can be seen
Bendix Racer #90: "Thunderbird"
This Plane was assembled from parts of several planes, so even North American Aviation did not have a Serial-Production-Number. Because of that it is not sure if it is a B-or a C-model of the P-51. It was owned by James "Jimmy" Steward, who later became a famous Actor in Hollywood, but back in these days he was a retired U.S. Army Air Corps-Pilot. In most Races in wich the "Thunderbolt participated, Joe DeBona flew, with James Steward still being the owner. The Machine was sold and re-sold several times. Owners were (next to others) Jackie Cochran, again James Steward and Joe DeBona. In 1954, when it was Mrs. Cochran´s Plane, it was repainted in Black and Yellow and renamed "Mr. Alex", honoring Mr. Steward´s father. But sadly, one year later in 1955, Pilot and Owner James Cook was forced to bail out and escape by Parachute because of a Landig Gear Malfunction resulting in a crash where the Airplane got destroyed.
But good News are on the way: Aircorps Aviation (who allready restored the famous P-51C "Lope´s Hope 3rd" in 2018) annouced plans to build a new "Thunderbird"! Restoration Progress is yet not far enough to show some visible Images, but we are curious, we´ll hang on there!
Here you can see the whole Crew-Names, the "Experimental"-state-tag and the Main Sponsor "Pegasus". And yes: Our Pilots wear Hawaii-Shirts!!
I really like the combination of that deep Blue and Golden-Yellow appliances
Those bright colours and oversized Registrations were chosen for an easier Identification if something should happen during the long distance Races. These Colours simply made them easier to find in difficult Terrains
So... yet again I hope you like what I felt like showing here. A short reply would be very much appreciated...
... maybe here or even there: www.facebook.com/VirtualAircraftRestoration
Stay curious for more to come!
Coach Harry
