Ace-Garageguy

Parts is parts.

I made this mount from sheet styrene to pick up where this early Olds OHV V8 engine's mount is in reality. Notice how it clears the fuel pump...

Four, because counting is hard.

The causes can only be one of these: 1) Mechanical failure of something in the flight control system of the P-63. Since aircraft parts are subject to rigorous inspection, they don't just "break", so a failure would come down to human error during restoration or maintenance. Not a frequent occurrence, but it happens. I've worked with a few A&Ps I wouldn't let put gas in a lawnmower. I know of a fatal King Air crash, shortly after takeoff, where an "A&P" with a bogus license failed to properly reconnect the ailerons during a 100-hour inspection. 2) A massive medical issue experienced by the P-63 pilot, causing him to lose consciousness and control of the aircraft. This has been known to happen. 3) Absolute incompetence on the part of the P-63 pilot, or unfamiliarity with the aircraft. Possible, but not likely. 4) Deliberate collision. Extremely unlikely. 5) B-17 being in the 'wrong place' according to planned maneuvers during the show, but it would still be the responsibility of the P-63 pilot to not fly into it. It will be interesting to see the NHTSA/FAA findings from the investigation.

More info halfway down this page:

Right.

Aw hell. If it's the 17 I think it was, I probably know some of the crew members.

Thanks. I tried. I really really tried.

Thanks to all you guys for your interest and comments.

They can't figure out how to turn on the rakes and brooms.

Me too...but much as I love the P-51, I'd opt to fly a P-47, the original "Thunderbolt" if I could go back... Like its namesake A-10, it could take a lot of punishment and get its pilot home, and was an effective close-air-support platform.