Fighter Squadrons

Previously: Chris returned—taking a remarkably short time changing—and grinning ear-to-ear, “Perfect, Lar, just like that last outfit. You ever think about a career as a tailor?”

“That’s wat I did before fixin’ mechanical stuff,” Farkleberry laughed, “An’ afor that I was a master chef.”

“Why does this not surprise me?” Chris grinned, “Y’know, little Mandy is gonna need a lot of new clothes…”

“I’m already on it, Doctor Sandy already talked to me. I otter have ‘em done b’fore school starts,” Farkleberry replied, “Now—kin we take a look at them airplanes? I done a buncha work on ‘em, per Boomer’s instructions.”

“Yeah, let’s get to the airplanes—it’s why we’re here—right?” Boomer concluded this episode.

Season Eleven—Adventure 3.5—Historic Air Force—Episode 4: Medlar Farkleberry will now give our GENTLE READERS a tour of our airplanes…

P51B Mustang, Pilot Jay Cooper

Mustang Fighter Squadron: 1 P-51B & 1 Mustang MKIII: Length 32.25′, Height 13.67′, Wingspan 37.04′, Weight – empty 6985 lbs, Weight – normal T.O. 9,800 lbs, Weight – max G.W. 11,800 lbs, Crew: Pilot & 1 Passenger*, Power Plant: Packard (Rolls Royce) “Merlin” V-1650-3, Horsepower – 1490, Max Speed – 439 mph at 25k feet Service altitude – 41,800 feet, Fuel Capacity – 269 gallons, Drop Tanks – 2x 75 gallons  or 2x 108 gallons, Range – 1,180 and 1,900 miles w/Drop Tanks, Armament – 4x .50 cal.

P38J Lightning, Pilot Sarah Cooper

Lightning Fighter Squadron: 2 P-38J: Length: 37′ 10″, Wingspan: 52′, Height: 9′ 10″, Max Weight: 20,300 lb, Service Ceiling: 44,000 ft. Power Plant: 2-1,425hp turbo-charged Allison V-1710 12-cylinder liquid-cooled engines, Crew: 1 Pilot & 1 Passenger*, Range: 1350 miles, Maximum Speed: 402 mph Armament: Four 0.50-cal machine guns & one 20mm cannon.

P-38L “Droop Snoot” Pathfinder variant: Length: 37′ 10″, Wingspan: 52′, Height: 9′ 10″, Empty Weight: 12,780 lbs. Loaded Weight: 17,500 lbs. Crew: 1 Pilot & 2 Passengers*, Power Plant: 2 x Allison V-1710-111/113 liquid-cooled turbo-supercharged V-12, 1,725 hp, Range: 1,300 miles, Max Speed: 443 mph, Service altitude: 44,000 ft. Armament: None.

P-38L “Droop Snoot” Pathfinder

P-38N Night Lightning (radar-equipped)- Length: 37′ 10″, Wingspan: 52′, Height: 9′ 10″, Empty Weight: 12,780 lbs. Loaded Weight: 17,500 lbs. Crew: 2, Power Plant: 2 x Allison V-1710-111/113 liquid-cooled turbo-supercharged V-12, 1,725 hp, Range: 1,300 miles, Max Speed: 443 mph, Service altitude: 44,000 ft. Armament: Four 0.50-cal machine guns & one 20mm cannon.

P38N Night Lightning

Having covered the aircraft owned by the museum—it is time to set-up the mission our heroes will become involved in.

78 year old Cap Sezevich set out from the Port of Danger Bay for a day of fishing on a pre-dawn morning—he was anticipating a quiet day of fishing…

78 year old Cap Sezevich set out from the Port of Danger Bay for a day of fishing

*Passenger seating added by Historic Air Force.

To be continued…