Oscar Ducks B25

I didn’t set out to buy an A-26 “Reno racer”…just seems that way! Fate perhaps???

No, I didn’t think so. At least now you have an A-26. Good luck with it downunder. No continent should be without one…! Did you guys make it to Reno with it? I mentioned to Bill Lear Jr. that he should warn his brother John that his old racer was on its way, but don’t know if he went up there!

T J

I didn’t set out to buy an A-26 “Reno racer”…just seems that way! Fate perhaps???

Hi TJ

It is not a “dodgy” trench coat – it is a Burbery one with real class and is very comfortable and has lots of nice big pockets for putting bits of aircraft in.

My most sincere and humble apologies to you then…. 😉
While you’re at it, why not drop by your own Australian War Memorial and snatch the 109 they have. Now that’s an aircraft which is screaming for a rebuild to flying condition. And besides, Oscar Duck needs an adversary to aim at with his Spitfire…. 😉 :p 😀
As for the Oscar, did that go to Jim Smith in Montana, or am I completely lost here?

T J

Hi TJ

Is it true that Setter has been seen around Tucson in a dodgy trenchcoat with the large suitcase, ready to “lift” another warbird from its country of origin…? Hmmm… Actually, it is good to see that the trend of warbirds being traded worldwide is still very much in effect. We have all gained by that!

It is not a “dodgy” trench coat – it is a Burbery one with real class and is very comfortable and has lots of nice big pockets for putting bits of aircraft in.

I used to get worried about all of the historic aircraft leaving Australia but now it doesn’t bother me and i think on balance these days we bat well above our weight in Warbirds. Only one export bothers me these days and that is the nearly complete Oscar now in the US. That aircraft is of huge importance to Australia. It is the only surviving complete aircraft to have attacked Australia and as such I cannot comprehend how it ever obtained an export permit – I would love to see the basis on which that was authorised.

TJ on balance however you are completely correct and all the movement of aircraft is very positive , Well said.

Regards
john P

Anybody like a bag of sweets ?

Re: The Collings A-26.

Yes she will fly again. She actually flew great and was very solid until her crash. That is an entirely different story though and one that gets me worked up quite a bit. As far as the restoration goes, it is extremely slow and complicated.

BTW, the serial number is 44-35696. She flew 100 missions in Korea with the 95th BS, 17th BG and was named “My Mary Lou”.

If anyone wants any other details as to the restoration or the crash, feel free to PM me. I’m better off not posting anything public.

Glad to hear that the 26 is going to fly again. Please PM me the crash story as well. Saw a segment of it on TV! I seem to remember something about the pilot being a Chino resident…?

So Oscar Duck tried to get one A-26 which has Reno race history, and now has bought another with racing merit. As there have been only three Invaders to compete there over the years, does this mean he’s looking to complete the scenario by going after Gary Abrams “Puss N’ Boots”? Is it true that Setter has been seen around Tucson in a dodgy trenchcoat with the large suitcase, ready to “lift” another warbird from its country of origin…? Hmmm… 😉 Actually, it is good to see that the trend of warbirds being traded worldwide is still very much in effect. We have all gained by that!

T J

I scanned this for Oscar Duck’s benefit but thought others might be interested as well. I shot it at Reno in Sept 1980.

Hi Ryan

Thanks for the post – I have heard versions of the crash – you can PM me yours – i would be interested .

How long before she flies again do you reckon ?

Regards
John p

Re: The Collings A-26.

Yes she will fly again. She actually flew great and was very solid until her crash. That is an entirely different story though and one that gets me worked up quite a bit. As far as the restoration goes, it is extremely slow and complicated.

BTW, the serial number is 44-35696. She flew 100 missions in Korea with the 95th BS, 17th BG and was named “My Mary Lou”.

If anyone wants any other details as to the restoration or the crash, feel free to PM me. I’m better off not posting anything public.

Cees

Many thanks – yes something to get into indeed – That museum has a mostly restored USAAC B25 from the Tanami Desert there as well so they would be a logical home for the stuff – Already have aroused a lot of interest here .

Thanks
John

John,

The airframe sections ended up with Aviation Heritage Centre, Darwin. According to the book the sections were recovered by request of the Aviation Historical Society of the Northern Territory and the Australian Army.

In addition the following wreckage of N5-139 was also recovered during 1972 also by the Army and the work was haphazard as parts were sawn off and dragged away using winches destroying the otherwise complete and in good condition airframe. Nose section, dorsal turret, both outer wings and the tailsection. The remains were later recovered together with N5-133. The earlier recovered parts are reported to be in poor condition but also at Darwin. Something for you to get your teeth into?

Cheers

Cees

Ooo ooo ooo! Did someone say Walrus? I wonder whose?

Couldn’t find any registration markings on this one James, so I haven’t got a clue!

James

Calm down and take some more of the yellow pills – A Walrus is indeed a fine aircraft but you need to keep life in perspective – it isn’t a Beaufighter after all OOOOOOOHHHH AHHHHHGGGG

Regards
John P

… for two days before being rescued by a Walrus

Ooo ooo ooo! Did someone say Walrus? I wonder whose?

TJ

The Collings foundation mainly flys their aircraft so I guess they are restoring her to fly

Archer

Thanks for the translation – so where is all this stuff now ??
I will have to go searching – very interesting aircraft

Regards
john p

My Dutch is no good – any chance of getting a translation ?

Setter, that photo shows the recovery of the centre section of N5-133 (41-29713) in 1991. This aircraft was attacked by Zeros on 30th March 1943 and crash landed on Melville Island near Point Jaheel. The crew camped next to the aircraft for two days before being rescued by a Walrus.
The other aircraft mentioned on that page is 41-12442, Dutch markings unknown but thought to be N5-141. After brief service with a Dutch detachment, it was passed on to the USAAF(?) and used by 13Sqdn and 499 B.S. as ‘Feather Marchant’ (?). Remains of this aircraft were found at a dump on New Guinea in 1974 and using parts of 41-30074 the restored aircraft is now at a Highschool in Tadji. Other remains of this aircraft might still be around in New Guinea.

Quick and dirty translation by me, so any mistakes are all mine! 😉

It is the one now flying with Collings Foundation>>> Used to be called “Cotton Jenny”…

Does any of the forumites know if this Invader will fly again? According to the warbird registry the plane is undergoing a restoration to static condition only?

T J

Hi Oscar

Thanks for the information

regards
John p

It is the one now flying with Collings Foundation>>> Used to be called “Cotton Jenny”…

Hi Oscar

Do you remember which A26 you were going after at the time you brought the B25 over?

Regards
John P

My A-26 44-35898 was around the 100th last one made and as yet I don’t have any details of her service history – I would like it. She has spent the past 30+ years in the care of Air Spray in Canada and is in excellent airworthy condition. We’ve just dne an extensive inspection and renewed hoses etc etc.