Reno Air Races 2008

For those that have not been before, Thursday is a really good day. Not much in the way of crowds so you can see and get good pictures. Also the owners and crews have not answered the same dumb questions 400 times yet so asking questions will often result in better responses. I always thought Thursday and Sunday afternoon were the best times to be there.

 

You don't answer my emails. Hows the Sparkster doing? When is it going to make noise again?

Or are you still looking for a few more 7-11's to knock over for the new pistons?

Speaking of pistons I have one for you.

 

Reminds me of some of the banter that we used with the announcer at the Abottsford Air Show. When we couldn't get the clown plane running we told the announcer that the starter didn't start, generator didn't gen, the carburetor didn't carb, and the pistons didn't .....work either. Maybe Sparky ain't sparking.

 

And there's no gloves in the glove box.

 

Been mighty cold in the 40x50 tin shed the past month and will more than likely remain that way until the Feb thaw. We were going to 'top' the big red engine and install new Jack Roush kriptonite pistons and cirmachrome liners to the tune of 30k. The kid lost his day job and we have decided to save our 51 money until things change. Have new eng mount rubbers and will get the thing back together when aforsaid Feb thaw occors. Should crackle in April.
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That engine is a veritable piece of art...as is the rest of the airplane.

 

OH....The engine is a veritable piece of art......thought you were refering to me.....Hope you Northwesties survived the thousand year flood ok. See the kid has a new boat to comute back and forth to Boeing with.
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Thanks Sparky! On my calendar. BTW, there's a retired Judge North on the eastern shore of MD with a Rolls Royce Merlin engine sitting in the barn w/his Bugatti and other pricey toys. I never asked him why he has the engine stored in the barn.

 

A Merlin in a garrage...sure wish it was in my hanger. Ask him if he would like to trade it for an Allison V-12 out of a P-40.

 

GEEZE ! Alpo, what kind of Bugatti????

 

There ya go Alpo...Bob will take the Bug and I'l take the Merlin. Package deal. Make him an offer he cant refuse.

 

NO NO ! I was going to put the Merlin in the Bugatti. Ever hear of a MERBUGATTILIN?

 

Or a Merlin in a 57 Chevy.
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Probably the same reason some wackos I know have Allisons laying around.

 

ALLIGATI

 

I would make a wild ass guess that any good F mech would have a spare TR eng for his cherry TR laying around the back room. Perhaps 2. Perhaps mo. How about an Allison in a TR? You do the enginering and supply the car and I'l supply the Allison. Would that be an engine out the bottom or out the top for a major? Morning Brian.
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Hi guys,

I remember last year an Allison showed up on E-Bay. Was quite reasonable as I recall. Maybe 15-20 grand. I thought about it but then thought better of it. Hoping it would go to the right place. I know it was on F-Chat. I think that's how it came to my attention. I also got word to Darryl Bond, the owner of Lady Jo, which I had a chance to fly.

I also remember a car that was available about six years ago. It was advertised as a RR Speedwagon. It was a 32 Roller with a, you guessed it, Merlin out of a Spit.
It was available for $250K. After much debate and delay I said "To hell with it. I'm going to do it. I don't care if it's not practicle. I will have the wildest car in the town." Well it was sold when I called. Later I heard it went to Jay Leno.

I think Jay is having too much fun with his tank car at the moment, but I'd bet he is working on the Speedwagon. Maybe he'll bring it to Reno some day.

 

The car had what was termed a "burstproof" Allison transmission. Was reported to make 1,000 hp. Looked just like those big old Aero engined cars of the past.

Man, I might have got an invite to Goodwood with that thing.

Drat!!!

 

Crall will like this pix. Bob sold the F2G and it may not be back at Reno this year. Will miss the Odegard family ant their mount.
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I would love to see this in person someday, the sound must be great.

 

Thats a shame. I like a lot of warbirds but the Corsair was always my favorite. I read so many stories about trying to tame those things when they were new and the exploits of Ike Kepford and Pappy Boyington.