P-39 First Run

[GregP]

This is back from October 26, 2004. Here are Steve Hinton (in cockpit) and Kevin Eldridge starting up a Bell P-39 (Brooklyn Bum) for the first time.

View attachment 221853

 

[MikeGazdik]

Awesome photo!! Any video???

 

[syscom3]

Was this the P39 that was on display for decades? I think it was next to the Betty?

 

[GregP]

I don't have any video and this is not the P-39 that was displayed for years. We still have that one and it probably won't ever fly again due to wing spar corrosion. This one, Brooklyn Bum, was sold to Stephen Gray in the UK and then went to Rod Lewis in Texas, U.S.A., where it is today. We overhauled the Allison and it runs just fine these days.

We found the main bearings to be a bit tight and were reasonably sure taht if they had flown it for more than about 1/2 hour, it would have overheated and had a problem. I wonder why everyone doesn't fit the mains properly. It doesn't take that much to do it and, if you are overhauling old WWII engines, you SHOULD have the equipment. All's well that ends well and it runs just fine now, as I said.

 

[michaelmaltby]

Beautiful ... interesting to see it in that state ... in color ... in 2013

MM

 

[Balljoint]

you SHOULD have the equipment. All's well that ends well and it runs just fine now, as I said.

Regarding important equipment, use of ear protection would be good too –says the guy who didn't.

 

[vikingBerserker]

What a beautiful plane.

 

[Geedee]

Here she is at Duxford during 2007 to when she was dismantled and shipped over the Pond in 2009. Awesome shape in the circuit !!

 

[J dog]

what a beauty! Nice to see it thank you!

 

[Gnomey]

Cool stuff guys!

 

[Micdrow]

Cool, would love to see that at the EAA this year.

 

[GregP]

Don't know if Rod Lewis will fly it or Glacier Girl, one of his Tigercats, his P-51, the P-39, etc. to that one ... but Brooklyn Bum is ready to go when he is.

 

[Micdrow]

Don't know if Rod Lweis will fly it or Glacier Girl or one of his Tigercats to that one ... but Brooklyn Bum is ready to go when he is.

Im betting Glacier Girl as if I remeber right they said it would be back again this year. Its been back for the last 3 or 4 years if I rember right.

 

[GregP]

It now has the original engines installed in it thath it crashed with in WWII, both overhaulked by Joe Yancey.

 

[Micdrow]

It now has the original engines installed in it thath it crashed with in WWII, both overhaulked by Joe Yancey.

Now thats pretty cool. Thanks for the info Greg!!!

 

[Aozora]

So when is that P-39 coming to NZ?? I demand that it come to NZ!!!! PLEEEAAASSSEEE!!!! okay...I'll...calm....down


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tST2Jz7TxM

That just looks and sounds so right...thanks for sharing.