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Hey Brandon, about your Warbird sightings......(O/T)

Posted by Steven M Dennis on Fri Dec 05, 2003 09:00:39 AM

In reply top Need warbird viewing travel advice- Memphis or Huntsville? posted by bdk on Thu Dec 04, 2003 04:22:57 PM

Do you remember your posting on the F9F sitting at a farm along I-90 in Southeast Minnesota?

Well, I followed up on your sighting, and made the three and a half hour drive South to see if I could find this bird, and your directions were right on. I did take some photos, but unfortunately, it was pouring rain by the time I got down there, so they aren't the greatest, but I would be happy to send them to you if you would like.

The owner does not live there, but the fellow who is renting the property let me take a pretty good look around her. There isn't a data tag ANYWHERE, but after checking around at the local airport, I found out the owner is Mr. Roger Christgau, who lives in the Minneapolis/St.Paul area (I'm thinking it was in Edina). Many of our Midwest area Wixer's will know him as the owner of The P-51D "Sierra Sue/Gul Kalle" (N1751D S/N 44-63675). Anyway, the locals say that Mr. Christgau has had MANY people ask if he would sell, and the answer is always "No".

After checking in my handy dandy Warbirds Directory (4th Edition), I find an F9F-5 registered to Mr. Christgau (N1332F BuNo 125434), so maybe this is the I.D. for the "tagless" bird at the farm.

She is pretty complete. I didn't see a rudder anywhere around it, but the wings, and the rest of the stuff are there, (even a towbar). And there are two cans sitting outside the enclosure that have a couple of engines in them. The cockpit however is gutted, no seat, instruments, canopy, etc. Lots of "hangar", (or should that be "barn") rash. But definitely something to be saved! Too bad it's canopy is missing, because the cockpit was definitely filling up with water in all of that rain that day, and who knows how long it sits in there before it drains out?

Maybe our inside man, Mr. B Darnell can give us more info, as I know he frequents the Twin Cities Warbird happenings, and maybe even knows Mr. Christgau....

Have a GREAT weekend everybody!

Steve :o)


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