[t6dpilot]

Yes, I believe that the P-40 that crashed in MN might have been Mr. Fagen's airplane - I think. Mr. Baranaskas' P-40 is not that one. That P-40 was restored to the absolute highest standard in very accurate flat (but durable) period correct olive drab. The restoration was completed in 1991 and was the best P-40 in the world. I think there were only 12 flying at the time. When I flew her, there were about 400 very well maintained hours on the clock and she flew every bit as good as she looked. I think even then there were only 19 airworthy examples.

P-40's have a problem with overheating when you are idling on the ground for extended periods of time. Airshows can be a real challenge and stressful with all the staging time and the risk of overheating. You see, the P-40 is water/glycol cooled and needs airflow over the coolers to keep temps in check. This one never had that problem. Always ran cool. The one that crashed in MN (again, I think that was the state) some years ago (Fagen's?) had very poor cooling capacity due to a poor system restoration (maybe?).

Last night, I had to watch some video shot during OSH 2005. I should post some of that on YouTube, I suppose. I will never forget the trip delivering the airplane to the Baranaskas' that following January. It was severe clear the whole way, I had 50 kt tail winds, flew over Manhattan just above the Class B airspace at 7,500', and could see all of Long Island and LI Sound. I will never forget flying that last low pass, pitching up to a perfect 3 point landing, and taxing up to Bob and his son Chris, who had huge smiles on thier faces. The next custodians of history... I really feel for Chris.