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Re: Scat VII Questions...Long

Posted by JimH on Mon Feb 24, 2003 07:08:45 PM

In reply top Re: Scat VII Questions posted by Richard Allnutt on Mon Feb 24, 2003 03:57:29 PM

this airframe went from service in the USAAF (Robin Olds) to Air Material Command here in the states...in 1958 it start its journey through several civilian owners until ending up with David Lindsay...of Cavalier Aircraft...and as Paul Coggan wrote it is believed this airframe was stored in crates until ending up with Gordon Plaskett. The airframe was eventually purchased by Fort Wayne Air Service and this is where my confusion enters. Many Reno books have stated that this airframe was modified into the Lear Mustang racing hybrid "Vandetta". After the forced landing of Vandetta, Jim S. stepped into to the picture and had her restored to her partially stock TF version.

I am with Rob...I too am a died in the wool keep em flying kind of guy...but this airframe deserved to be preserved at the USAF Museum next to Robin Olds' F-4 Phantom. This is a tragedy not only for the Shuttleworths, to whom my heartfelt thoughts are with, but to the preservation of history. I remember seeing Jim and Scat at Geneseo in 1993...he was enthusiastic about sharing his bird and its history. It was almost electrifying to touch this airplane...knowing it had "been there"...and to see her fly is now a very precious memory.

I am sure that this Mustang won't "die"...metal has a funny way of being reincarnated these days. Flying is inherently dangerous and events like these are unavoidable...our lives are fragile enough and times like these allow us to reflect on the appreciation that Jim shared with us through his aircraft. I have no doubt that Scat VII will live again, with new skin, for the memory of Robin and in the memory of Jim Shuttleworth.

JimH

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