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To: agent_delta
He wasn’t seasoned.

I just happened to read the NTSB report on that one a few minutes before hitting this thread. It was the pilot's first solo in the P-51, which was a two seater. The instructor had landed with him, got out and told the tower it would be an initial solo. The pilot made a circuit, touched down and started a touch-and-go takeoff when it went on its back.

It's interesting to note that the final production P-51H was built with a much taller fin and rudder in an attempt to provide a better means of handling the torque roll problem.

55 posted on 07/28/2007 3:34:45 PM PDT by 19th LA Inf
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To: 19th LA Inf

Several of the earlier models have been retrofitted to include the larger tail as well.

I knew the pilot and the instructor and my heart breaks for both. The instructor is an amazing guy with a spectacular resume.

He would be the first guy I’d call if the lottery fairy drops a P-51 in my lap.


57 posted on 07/28/2007 3:38:07 PM PDT by agent_delta (Have you ever imagined a world with no hypothetical situations?)
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