[Milsurplus] Real radios in surplus airplanes B 24, PV 2 Harpoon

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On 4/17/06, Hue Miller <kargo_cult at msn.com> wrote:
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <boeing377 at aol.com>
> >   The all time greatest WW 2 flying radio setup I have ever seen was
> > Doug Laceys Lockheed PV 2 Harpoon....
> > Doug and a plane full of friends died when he stalled it
> > showing off with sharp pull-ups over Clear Lake CA.
>
> Mark, i saw the article in Air Classics ( i think it was ) with a photo
> of the inside of the  PV2. I was very impressed with his dedication
> to accuracy. But, i wonder about the rest of story. Do you know if
> the stunts he was performing, were within the capability of the plane,
> so it was pilot error (yes - the usual ), or some other aircraft failure?
> ( Just sent a friend a newspaper article from 6-14-05, titled "Just
> before dying, a thrill at 41,000 feet" - about 2 (forever) young
> Bombardier CRJ200 pilots who successfully tested the limits of the
> plane. )

Sad stuff. Jeff Ethell, well-known author and very skilled pilot with
loads of hours in a lot of different planes, was lost in a similar
manner (pilot error) while flying a restored P-38 out at Tillamook
(you must've seen a lot on this locally, Hue). Seems the fuel wasn't
topped up and he ran out while heading in for landing. Even though one
engine was still running, he didn't follow the correct procedures for
engine loss on the P-38 (no small feat in itself) and lost the plane
at fairly low altitude, along with his life. I remember reading the
accident report and thinking 'what a terrible waste' in every sense of
the word.

No idea if the original radio gear was in place, but it does give one
a deep appreciation of what's involved and at risk with these fine,
old aircraft.

In Randolph, VT there's a small plaque on a little dirt side road,
marking the spot where a B-17 being ferried overseas came down as a
result of sabotage. Seems someone put some type of filings into the
engines...

de Todd/'Boomer'  KA1KAQ