I understand completely the argument concerning the flying of such a rare
bird. It's true that things can go wrong and an airplane like this could be
lost. It's a judgment call really, and each owner or association involved
with these airplanes must make this judgment carefully. You can make the
argument either way.
It's wonderful to see these airplanes in the air of course, but as they get
down to the nitty gritty of the last ones in the world, the desire to see
them in flight weighs more heavily on those entrusted with their care and
safe keeping.
I flew my Mustang, but I would respect another pilots decision not to fly
their warbird. It's a tough call!! :-)
Dudley

"Vicente Vazquez" wrote in message
om...
"Dudley Henriques" wrote in message
thlink.net...
Hi Vicente;
That's a great shot, and a great airplane. That padlock would be one of
the
ways to secure the canopy on a 47; that's for sure!
My friend Vlado Lenoch has recently just flown a beautifully restored
Jug (a
D.. I believe). There aren't too many left out there. This one looks
like it
will be a great restoration when finished.

Hi Dudley,

That aircraft's restoration was actually completed in 1999 (IIRC).
It's the only P-47 Thunderbolt in airworthy condition in Brazil,
though our Air Force forbade the museum to fly the aircraft, under the
argument that such rare aircraft shouldn't be put under the risk of
being lost in an accident. The engine is turned on and the a/c taxis
every once in a while, but it isn't flown (at least not while there's
someone watching :-)) Actually, it was flown briefly and
"unnoficially" several times, during tests. As the Museum belongs to
our Air Force, I guess it must be the last airworthy P-47 in the world
to still be "officially owned" by an Air Force. :-)

Some more pics:

http://www.aviacaomilitar.com.br/webkits/b4_musal_1.jpg
http://www.aviacaomilitar.com.br/webkits/b4_musal_2.jpg
http://www.aviacaomilitar.com.br/webkits/b4_musal_3.jpg

(Pictures taken from airliners.net website)

It is a post-war aircraft (P-47D-40-RA s/n 45-49151, former FAB 4184),
received in 1953, and it is painted in the colors and markings of the
aircraft flown by Lt. Luiz Lopes Dornelles (P-47D-25-RE s/n 42-26766),
the last Brazilian pilot to be KIA in italy.

There are four other P-47's preserved in Brazil (42-26757, 42-26760,
42-26762 and 44-19663) and though they are not airworthy, they have a
much more important historical value (at least for us) as these four
aircraft are all "combat veterans" from our 1st FS in Italy.

Cheers,

Vicente

(v dot vazquez at terra dot com dot br)