Got an e-mail from a friend over here in which he said it was a shame about the CAF’s P-51C Mustang and the pilot, and how he hoped the Mustang could be repaired soon and flying again….I immediately asked him what had happened, but have yet to hear back….anyone know anything?
Mark
By: Swiss Mustangs - 1st June 2004 at 11:33
Hi all
copied from the P-51 Board:
quote:
Posted: Sun May 30, 2004 7:44 pm Post subject:
——————————————————————————–
All,
I will give a brief update, I can’t spend a bunch of time here. It was a terrible loss. I was flying the B-25 landing and Don said he was losing the engine, Larry Lumpkin was on the ground in the Gunfighter and told Don to turn on the boost pump, I said get the prop back, Don said, that is all done. Larry said, Fly it to the ground Don, Fly it to the ground.”
That is exactly what he did.
The airplane landed in a wings level low speed low angle condition, as survivable as it could be. He hit one tree which took off one wing, and then another which spun him around and the airplane came to rest on it right side with both wings severed.
The Crash crews were there with in 4 minutes. Larry took off imeadiately to locate the wreckage incase the crash crews could not find it, and by the time he was overhead they were there.
Gerry Beck came down this morning and went with the FAA to the wreckage. Early indications are that the V drive which powers the cam failed. Both cams would quit turning and there was nothing that Don could have done but fly it to the ground. He did that.
Your thoughts and prayer for his family are appreciated. Don would never forgive us if we let this setback stop the Redtail project which he gave the last 10 years, and ultimately his life for. With a million bucks and 18 months we could be flying again. Don would want that. Wish us luck.
_________________
Tailwinds,
Doug Rozendaal
unquote
Cheers
Martin / Swiss Mustangs
By: Paul Rix - 1st June 2004 at 11:25
^Maybe it “can” be rebuilt.. but personally I don’t think it “should” be. Of course, we have discussed this before on this forum and it turned ugly. Little point in going over it all again.
By: Corsair166b - 1st June 2004 at 05:43
Followed up my own post with the details gleaned from the WRG site…the pilot, Don Hinz, died from his injuries after the engine on the Mustang failed over Bay City, Wisconsin…he brought the plane in almost level with the ground but a tree sheared off one wing and spun the plane around…apparently the V drive in the engine failed (via **** Phillips talking to Gerry Beck) and that caused the failure.
Condolences to pilot’s family.
Apparently the plane CAN be rebuilt.
Mark
By: Arm Waver - 1st June 2004 at 05:39
See this earlier thread with all the details…
http://forum.airforces.info/showthread.php?t=26267
Sadly the pilot didn’t make it. Thoughts as always with the family…
OAW
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June 1, 2004 at 5:30 am