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Re: I salute the man

Posted by Jim Bates on Mon Jan 27, 2003 07:53:58 PM

In reply top I salute the man posted by Rob Mears on Sun Jan 26, 2003 01:44:22 PM

: MacGuire is the only man I've heard about who's salvaged a
: cache of this type of aircraft. I wonder what the story
: is behind their recovery?

The story I was told by his chief mechanic was they bought so many (I thinking 8 to 10) so that they would have enough parts to get one flying. With that many airframes, they reasoned that they would have one good or restorable part and not have to scrounge or build new parts. (Nice way to restore things if you can afford it!) I can't remember the story of how they got the TU-2s, but I think some were stored in a cave at one point.

Btw, Mr. McGuire also bought quite a few P-51Ds and MiG-15s. (Six or more of each of those.) I assume it was similar thinking to the TU-2 project.

I always thought Mr. McGuire was an interesting guy. I have met many at War Eagles, but was never able to meet Mr. McGuire.

Jim

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