"Cripes A' Mighty, Then and Now" - Released! (Payware)

[Bomber_12th]

Thank you for these ideas! One of the things I want to focus on, however, is unique examples that would be far better off getting new models and textures, rather than those that could be just as easily and accurately reproduced through a repaint of one of the existing models from prior products. In the case of Bud Anderson's "Old Crow", I would personally just love to see a repaint of that aircraft applied to one of the "Little Friends I" aircraft (the Millie G model, to be exact), and I'd be willing to do it myself to help ensure quality. Regarding Glamorous Glenn, however, as suggested, it could be quite a can of worms - I don't even know if I would feel comfortable just making a repaint depicting that aircraft - it seems there has been a 'witch hunt' over the last several years, rumored to be led by Yeager's current wife, claiming that the use of the name and related artwork is copy-right protected (all to try and get more $).

There are some unique qualities like the Spitfire mirrors on "Cripes A' Mighty (IV)", as reproduced in this product, which meant that a repaint of a prior model just wouldn't cut it for me. There will definitely be a "Twilight Tear, Then and Now", a project that is also very exciting to me, as I was able to get some great access to the real aircraft (which I think is now one of the top two, if not the single-most, authentic P-51D restorations on the planet - it's really that incredible). There will also be a "Hardwick Mustangs" product, focusing attention of the restored "Marinell" and "Janie", which will be exact reproductions of the modern aircraft. These are all 'back-burner' projects, keeping me busy while working on other things, but they are also not that easy to produce in a reasonable amount of time. This latest product required several weeks of testing and revising after the product was already looking very solid/ready for release.

As mentioned elsewhere, I've gotten the impression that a post-war ANG and USAF F-51D would be highly desired. I would also love to cover a couple of the stripped-down stock Cleveland-racers of the late 40's. I don't know how well received it might be, but I would also like to re-issue some of the unique and individual Mustangs from both of the Restored Part 1 and Part 2 products, so that those who don't have those products, but would like to have one or two of the examples from either, could go ahead and just have those, without having to spend more for more Mustangs that one might otherwise not be interested in. These would be updated versions, and for those who already have the aircraft through owning either the Restored Part 1 or Part 2 products, will also get the updates free-of-charge - this idea, however, still needs to be worked out.

[fsxar177]

...I would also love to cover a couple of the stripped-down stock Cleveland-racers of the late 40's...

YES, YES, YES
Did I mention my support for this idea??

That would be awesome.

Joseph

[Thunderbolt]

I have some Old Crow Pics on the open day in Weeze Airport. This P-51 has an signature from Bud.

[Bomber_12th]

Oh, I see what you're talking about, Thunderbolt - modern and period versions of "Old Crow". I'm sure you know, with that particular example, Bud actually flew it (by himself in the cockpit) over his former wartime airfield, Leiston, a number of years back. A few photos of this event are proudly displayed at the top of the Bud Anderson website, as part of the slide show: http://www.cebudanderson.com/

There is also the silver-"Old Crow" P-51D here in the U.S., owned by Jim Hagedorn (president of Scotts), which Budd has also flown as pilot in command a number of times (though I think he has retired from the Mustang in recent years - though he still flies other aircraft).

(BTW, note the wheels/brakes installed on the P-51D pictured in Thunderbolts post. These are not stock P-51 wheels/brakes, but are actually P-63 wheels/brakes. This became quite a common modification in the 70's, 80's, 90's. Not only because they were available, and they fit to a Mustang just fine (and the same tire is used), but also because they provide better, longer-lasting braking, with the brake pad being much heftier than the stock/original type used on the P-51. You can always identify this the quickest, by counting the numbers of spokes, which are less on the P-63 wheels than that on the stock P-51 wheels (and the brake discs are also quite a bit bigger). Although they do provide better braking, experienced P-51 pilots will tell you that the extra braking power that they provide should never be needed, as long as you are operating the aircraft as it should, and landing at the correct airspeeds.)

[Bomber_12th]

For those interested, here is one of the pieces of resource material for the new fixed-reticle for the K-14.

It's not every day that you can look through a working K-14 gun sight, on a fully-armed and loaded P-51D (packing the real guns!)...oh, and it's summer of 2011! I'm told it was loud.

(As mentioned briefly a few post back, this aircraft is the subject matter of one of the next forth-coming projects.)







The same gun sight reticle as reproduced for the "Cripes A' Mighty, Then and Now" product.

[Thunderbolt]

Yes John "then and now" like. And for now I have good link with Pics. http://www.flugzeugbilder.de/search4...ch=N167F&tr=85

[Thunderbolt]

For those interested, here is one of the pieces of resource material for the new fixed-reticle for the K-14.

It's not every day that you can look through a working K-14 gun sight, on a fully-armed and loaded P-51D (packing the real guns!)...oh, and it's summer of 2011! I'm told it was loud.

(As mentioned briefly a few post back, this aircraft is the subject matter of one of the next forth-coming projects.)


The same gun sight reticle as reproduced for the "Cripes A' Mighty, Then and Now" product.

Awesome work !

[crashaz]

Geez Bomber... just bought Little Friends 2 and now this one.... an instant classic!!! So much detail... it is mind boggling!

[hairyspin]

Beautiful, beautiful work and glorious attention to detail! You should be really pleased with these!

[Bomber_12th]

Thank you gentlemen!

If anyone would be interested in some in-depth photos of the restoration of the real-life "Cripes A' Mighty", please see here: http://midwestaero.com/site/Photo_Ga..._A_Mighty.html

[Bomber_12th]

One of the fun spots to fly this aircraft, is at Reno, and although the real aircraft doesn't compete in the races, it has been in attendance several times (as part of the vintage/warbird showing - and lately, because the current owner of the aircraft also owns the F2G Super Corsair Race 74). I love this first shot, which really displays those true lines of the P-51.

[jp]

Gorgeous, as a North Carolinian, I'll be buying this for sure.

[Roger]

[Bomber_12th]

I know some are quite particular, or at least interested, in flying an aircraft like this from the locations it actually does.

- The aircraft was restored, and then test flown, at the Vermillion County KDNV airport in Danville, IL.

- I 'believe' that it is based at Downing Airport I40, in Coshocton, Ohio, and possibly also at Hector Intl. KFAR in Fargo, ND, during the summer months, and can be seen at some air shows in North Dakota and Minnesota and other locations in the Midwest.

- For the last few years, the aircraft has spent the winter months at Falcon Field KFFZ, in Mesa, AZ, arriving after going to the Reno Air Races. It is housed during this time in the CAF Arizona Wing's hangar. It also can seen at several Arizona-area air shows during this time, such as at Chandler and Phoenix.

- This past year, the aircraft spent some time at Ellington Field KEFD, in Houston, TX, with the Texas Flying Legends Museum.

So it certainly gets around! This was also one of the Mustangs that was part of the "Last Roundup" in 2007 at the Rickenbacker Intl. airport in Columbus, OH.

[LCBORDEN]

John, you've really done a great job on this one....Outstanding in every aspect....congratulations, I know you have a lot of emotion wrapped up in this one product. You nailed it.

Ol'Jarhead