Interesting rural Canadian P-51 story.

Sigarms · Feb 4, 2019

fried1765 said:
Without a doubt:......the "Texas Flying Legends Museum"....... has a reputation far and wide, for posting phony stuff.

You didn't answer the first two questions.

If the "Texas Flying Legends Museum" posted a story, I'm certain they validated the story. Can you at least mention how, or was it just from a face book page?

I don't mean to put you on the spot, but the thing about the internet is anyone can post anything, and for some reason the general public tends to believe it.

Although the P-51 story about Jimmy Steward is possible (as he did own a P-51), general rule, if something sounds too good to be true, it normally is. It's a feel good story, I get it. I just don't think it ever happened.

You would think if Jimmy Stewart flew a P-51 at a public air show, it would be newsworthy somewhere. After various searches, I can't find anything. What info do you have on the topic that you can share other than the Texas Flying Legends Museum?

fried1765 · Feb 4, 2019

Sigarms said:
You didn't answer the first two questions.

If the "Texas Flying Legends Museum" posted a story, I'm certain they validated the story. Can you at least mention how, or was it just from a face book page?

I don't mean to put you on the spot, but the thing about the internet is anyone can post anything, and for some reason the general public tends to believe it.

Although the P-51 story about Jimmy Steward is possible (as he did own a P-51), general rule, if something sounds too good to be true, it normally is. It's a feel good story, I get it. I just don't think it ever happened.

Maybe read post #9

Sigarms · Feb 4, 2019

fried1765 said:
Maybe read post #9

Sincere question, and please don't take this the wrong way...

Do you believe every story you read on the internet?

I only ask because post #9 wasn't made by you, but somone else. You posted your source as the "Texas Flying.....", which I questioned, because it's a facebook post (as far as what I could find) and Facebook isn't a reliable source IMO.

The reason why I ask is have you done any research on Lea MacDonald? Let me know what you find please on this part time columnist. I can't find much on this columist to boot. Not saying the story was made up, but the story could of well be made up

Mr. Stewart was an accomplished pilot who also flew his own private planes, but again, I couldn't find any news story/source about Mr. Stewart flying in ANY air show in a P-51 at any time. Although Mr. Stewart kept a low profile on his flying and military service, you can't help but think that if Jimmy Stewart shows up at an air show flying an airplane (let alone a P-51), it would make the news somehow.

cqaigy2 · Feb 4, 2019

There is a P-51 that shows up in the summer, at the Olympia air museum. They sure are fun looking machines. They had a B-17 one year, when my dad was still alive and i took him out to see it. I was surprised how small it was, not many of my porky generation would be able to navigate inside. :laughing:

Sigarms · Feb 4, 2019

cqaigy2 said:
There is a P-51 that shows up in the summer, at the Olympia air museum. They sure are fun looking machines. They had a B-17 one year, when my dad was still alive and i took him out to see it. I was surprised how small it was, not many of my porky generation would be able to navigate inside. :laughing:

One of the best Christmas presents I ever got my father. He came down to visit and the timing was perfect when he was in town and I couldn't pass it up (only he went up LOL).

That's Pilot mountain (AKA Mt. Pilot in the Andy Griffith Show) in the back ground.

Liberty Belle...NTSB: Fuel Leak Caused B-17 'Liberty Belle' Fire | Flying Magazine

fried1765 · Feb 4, 2019

Sigarms said:
Sincere question, and please don't take this the wrong way...

Do you believe every story you read on the internet?

I only ask because post #9 wasn't made by you, but somone else. You posted your source as the "Texas Flying.....", which I questioned, because it's a facebook post (as far as what I could find) and Facebook isn't a reliable source IMO.

The reason why I ask is have you done any research on Lea MacDonald? Let me know what you find please on this part time columnist. I can't find much on this columist to boot. Not saying the story was made up, but the story could of well be made up

Mr. Stewart was an accomplished pilot who also flew his own private planes, but again, I couldn't find any news story/source about Mr. Stewart flying in ANY air show in a P-51 at any time. Although Mr. Stewart kept a low profile on his flying and military service, you can't help but think that if Jimmy Stewart shows up at an air show flying an airplane (let alone a P-51), it would make the news somehow.

Since you have serious doubt about the authenticity of the story, it might be best for you to pose your question directly to an aviation legends authority.

The website is: www.texasflyinglegends.org

They have a contact page, and I am certain that they will respond.

I am just a messenger,...not the authority.

Please post the response.

Garandman · Feb 4, 2019

Texas Flying Legends posted a repost of a repost of a repost. They have little credibility. They properly should have asked the author’s permission and verified the source. That doesn’t mean the story is false, just that they cut corners. The GML2007 site did a better job.

Is someone claiming it might have been Jimmy Stewart? It is possible but extremely unlikely. Stewart graduated Princeton in 1932 and took private flying lessons. He eventually became a licensed commercial pilot and had flown across the country before enlisting in early 1941. He was a Bomber Pilot. After the war, he remained in the reserves and was promoted to Brigadier General in 1959. He stayed current on USAF bombers and flew a mission as an observer on a B52 Arc Light raid in Vietnam in 1968.

He flew single engine planes before the war, so it is conceivable he was checked out on a P51. But as a reserve officer it seems very unlikely. And he was famous enough that he would have been recognized anywhere. He was 59 years old in 1967.

k0ua · Feb 5, 2019

I don't know about the story, but I do know this, I will never forget the first time I saw and heard a P-51 on the runway, and then that magnificent takeoff and climb into the clouds. Wow! Not something you will soon forget. The sound is just unreal.

ultrarunner · Feb 5, 2019

No P51 stories but my friend was a high decorated WWII Fighter Ace in a Day flying Grumman F6F Hellcat...

He said there was quite a rivalry between the Service branches and their planes.

Jim Shooz · Feb 5, 2019

Wakey said:
I once lived in the flightpath (half mile) of an uncontrolled airstrip. While cutting grass i was practically knocked over by what appeared to be a Mustang. He was tree topping his way in for touch and gos.

I have never heard such a racket, a beautiful one indeed. The closest noise I can compare it to is about 50 Harley's with pegged throttles.

This went on for about 20 minutes. Each time he passed over I was jumping up and down like a child :laughing:

I had met the old man that owned the airport so I dropped by to ask about the plane. He said it was a replica but it sounded like the real deal, to my ear at least.