P-39 almost ready

[gumbyk]

The P-39 that's been worked on down here for the last few years at Pioneer Aero has had its first full engine runs yesterday. Can't be too far away from flying.

 

[Gnomey]

Very cool!

 

[warbird51]

The P-39 that's been worked on down here for the last few years at Pioneer Aero has had its first full engine runs yesterday. Can't be too far away from flying.

Outstanding!!!

 

[P-39 Expert]

NZ warbirds, is that New Zealand? Anybody know the model? An L, M, N or Q without wing guns? What's in the nose? Batteries?

That is a fine looking example. Can't wait to see it fly.

 

[gumbyk]

NZ warbirds, is that New Zealand? Anybody know the model? An L, M, N or Q without wing guns? What's in the nose? Batteries?

That is a fine looking example. Can't wait to see it fly.

Yep, being restored in NZ for Jerry Yagen.
It's a Q model. Ex Soviet Airforce, recovered circa 1995 being restored to fly as USAAC 220341.

There's a bucket-load of lead in the nose, as you can see in this video:

 

[GrauGeist]

That's fantastic!

I imagine the lead weights are installed to compensate for the Oldsmobile 37mm cannon, then.

 

[Greyman]

Not to mention the two .50s and 400 rounds of ammo ...

 

[P-39 Expert]

The one down in San Marcos, TX has a big coolant tank there in the nose where the guns were.

 

[gumbyk]

Annnnd it's flown...

 

[CORSNING]

I want to be there when the ghost of Mr. Yeager gets tears in
his eyes watching that beautiful P-39Q-5 make a flyby.

Thank you Gumbyk for all the great videos. There is just something
real special about watching a prop appear to move backwards. To me it is
mesmerizing. .......................Thanks man.

 

[P-39 Expert]

Beautiful.

 

[nuuumannn]

Sweet! Looks like a trip to Akl might be in order now our national carrier is offering cheap domestic flights.

 

[michael rauls]

That's awesome. I love to see old warbids being brought back to life. I only wish there were more.

 

[gumbyk]

Sweet! Looks like a trip to Akl might be in order now our national carrier is offering cheap domestic flights.

Better be quick. From what I've heard, as soon as the test flying is done, its being shipped out.
We'd hoped that they'd have some delays...

 

[P-39 Expert]

Better be quick. From what I've heard, as soon as the test flying is done, its being shipped out.
We'd hoped that they'd have some delays...

Any idea where it's going?

 

[gumbyk]

Any idea where it's going?

Jerry Yagen's collection in Virginia. The plan is apparently for it to debut at the airshow in May, everything going well.