I sat on the fence for a long time where this aircraft is concerned. To be honest I never really cared for the paint scheme it had while Mr. Gardner owned it, but it was a flying P-38 and the former Lightning pilots I know loved to see her in the air. I decided that, if they could accept this “supermodel in an ugly dress”, so could I. I will also say again that the idea of the underside being covered with an LED display is, in my opinion, a bit much but if that is what it takes to have her in the skies again I can live with it. My previous post concerning the inclusion of the lights was more a knee-jerk reaction than anything else, I suppose worse things could be done…
I took a look at the aircraft’s website today and it would seem that he will now be able to retire comfortably with the money Red Bull paid him and the family seems to be happy that someone will be able to finish restoring her. I’m sure it was a tough decision to make after all the years of toil and work they put into the plane but, as Ladd Gardner stated: “As bad as we all wanted to see two five Yankee stay in the family and remain White Lightnin’, my parent’s quality of life through their golden years was still far more important.” Mr. Gardner gave alot to the warbird community and I think it’s quite alright that he be able to live out the rest of his life comfortably.
Now, on to two of the comments made earlier in this thread…
Mr. Rohr, what exactly is a “right paint scheme”? The one it left the factory with? The one it wore for the bulk of it’s existence? Some other scheme replicating a totally different aircraft with more historical significance or a more famous name? Frankly that is totally subjective, espcially where this aircraft is concerned and no matter what not everyone will be pleased with whatever is decided upon for any warbird.
I also have to disagree with your assertion that warbird owners have a responsibility to teach the general public about the aircraft they own. While many thankfully do use their aircraft, at least in part, as an educational tool there are no laws dictating anything except the aircraft must be safe to operate and the pilot must be qualified to fly it. Beyond that it is just like anything else they own and they can do with it as they please as it was their hard-earned money that they spent to own it. This includes international corporations.
I think everyone on this forum knows I believe that we all owe a huge debt to the great men and women who sacrificed so much so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have and thus we all have a duty to make sure said sacrifices are not forgotten. However, the fact that a corporation has painted an aircraft that they own in any livery doesn’t necessarily preclude this from happening. Even if painted lime green with neon orange polka dots (God forbid! 😮 ) it will still be out there where it can be seen by the general public and that is, when all is said and done, what is most important. The first warbirds I ever saw were not painted in 100% authentic markings but they still left an impression on me that has lasted a lifetime.
It’s up to us (meaning you and me and anyone else reading this who feels as we do) to take the time to make sure the historical significance of the aircraft and the men who originally flew them is not forgotten. That is a cause we are passionate about and one where there are almost endless means available for doing so; this is, after all, the Age of Information. The best most of us can do is put the information out there so it is available and I personally would rather use my time doing this than making some grass root stand against a corporation that probably could care less about what we think or quibbling over the petty details of a warbird’s markings.
By the same token we also have to face the reality that there will be a larger percentage of people out there who don’t give a d@mn about “old airplanes” than those who want to know more about them. The age old adage of leading a horse to water applies here. Red Bull is making the aircraft a little more attractive to that apathetic majority with the full knowledge that the passionate minority is still going to come to the airshows no matter what. It is a win-win situation all around as their product name is still in front of everyone and that is advertising dollars well spent… which equals more product sold and more warbirds in their inventory and more chances for us to make sure the historical facts are available to those who might have an interest.
That’s my two cents, feel free to make change.
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