P-38 The Lost Squadr0n
 

Thought I'd mention that I was planning to attend the virgin flight of the P-38 Lightning that was retrieved from 268' under the ice in Greenland in 1992(was there since 1947? ).
A gentleman in Middlesboro, KY led the expedition to retrieve it, and has been restoring it to new condition since they got it out in 1992, there has been 2 History Channel Specials about it, and they will be there for the first flight also.

Enough rambling, The time and place is 2:00pm EST 10/26/02(this Sat., which is Sommer's 14th B-day), at the Middlesboro Airport.
Middlesboro is at the intersection of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia, also know for the Cumberland Gap.

Thought some of you in the neighborhood might want to check it out, maybe a mini meet in the Cumberland Mountains.

Not sure I’ll be in the SVX, just depends on how many of my kids want to go, as the SVX only holds 4, and Carol, Me and 3 Girls make 5, so if everybody wants to go, we’ll be in the Outback Sport.

Post here if you think you might go and I’ll look for you there.

The Web site for the Lost Squadron is:
http://www.thelostsquadron.com/museum4.html

I thinkthat the Lockheed P-38 Lightning was the first big sucess for Kelly Johnson and the Skunk Works team.

Yeah, the Lightning is a beautiful plane; I’ve been over to see it a couple times in the last couple years, to see the progress on the restoration, and I’m always impressed with it.

They have a mini-museum in the hanger with it, and they show the History Channel Programs for visitors, and sell P-38 memorabilia to help offset the costs(I think they said about 8 million so far!) They also raffle off different items, I think they’re raffling off either a 2003 Harley or a 1934? Bentley your choice only offering 500 tickets at $100 each.

Haven’t seen much response here, but maybe a few will show up.
:)

Hiya, Huck. Just a note to let you know that if I could be there to see what you're about to enjoy, I'd do it. I hope the kids can appreciate what they're about to experience.

Ron.

Hey Ron,
We really enjoyed it!:cool:
Wished you could have been there. :(
Only my wife and oldest daughter went and it was Sommer's 14th birthday, I told her not many people get to witness a piece of history on their birthday.:)

there was another WWII era fighter plane there that went up and flew with the P-38, I'm not sure of the model.
We were in a field at the end of the runway, so they took off right over us! and made some low passes, probably with-in 40' of the ground above us!

It was definitely a sight to behold! :cool:

I believe their web-site said the History Channel will air the special on it in March, so you’ll have to catch it then, I shot some video, but didn’t take a camera.

On another note, since just 3 of us went, we got to take the SVX for the trip over. :D
It was a beautiful trip though the Cumberland Mountains, with all the foliage in bright colors, probably the perfect time to go, and made for a magnificent drive.:) ;) :D