OT - ME262 flies

Given that this group is at least as active with aircraft anoraks as with big-old-open-crank anoraks, here's a lead to follow.

Not just the CAA that will let u rebuild a wreck. The FAA are just the same. Next time you're bored to tears at Disneyland, jump in a cab a few miles down the road & visit Kissimee airport. Go to Tom Reilly's hangar.

Stellar place for anyone with the slightest affinity for those who work metal to recreate wonderful toys. Specialise in ww2 military a/c, but also rebuild other interesting aircraft.

Unlike most restoration workshops, this one is piled high with chaos -- mountains of cylinders, pistons, unidentified lumps of everything. You can wander anywhere, including the splendid scrap piles round the back -- Skyrays, big rotaries, machine guns etc etc.

The engineers will happily discuss what they are doing -- which was rebuilding a Fw190, a B17, a Corsair & others when I was last there. Their skill levels are amazing -- & you can go there for a holiday to be trained in aircraft restoration! Beats Disney.

So, back to the thread. In one dark corner is a red crunched up cube of aluminum (as our US friends would say). Demonic reggie-spotters can see a civil registration upon it (N..7496?) This cube is about 6ft square from memory. There are other sub-assemblies scattered around.

It is to be rebuilt. It is the mortal remains of a P-38 Lightning. It was being flown by UCLA (I think), as a weather research a/c. It iced up, & fell like a rather large hailstone. Almost impossible to identify, even for seriously-dedicated Lightning fans. These guys will recreate it, & have to use a minimum percentage of original metal to qualify as the original article. 20% rings a bell, but wouldn't guarantee that. If so, does that mean that you could have 5 "authentic" originals! Shades of certain Bugattis/ Bentleys/ Aston Martins......

When you've done with Reilly's, nip 25 miles down I-4 towards Tampa & visit Kermit Weeks Fantasy of Flight. Some lovely aircraft, 'tho sadly most often silent & earthbound. My favourites

- Stinson Trimotor, Lysander, Sandringham, King Cobra ....

Oh -- & if u plan your trip right, there are a couple of splendid local stationary events in 80 degrees, during our winter. Zoflo is excellent. Do remember that in the US show practice is different to here -- a 3-day show there is likely to be very quiet on Day 3 as everyone is heading home -- opposite to us. I got caught a few times before I twigged that .....

Colin

Have a look at the technical data for the power plants

Regards,

Kim Siddorn

Diplomacy done, plates spun, fires fought, maidens eaten - well, three out of four ain't bad