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I got a call from him a few days ago. He has been on fires non stop for the past 4 weeks. After they wrapped up the Tehachapi fire, they waited because there were lightning storms and they anticipated more fires. Yup. About 30 he said, but only 5 took off. So they handled those right quick. When I spoke to him he was at camp waiting to get shipped off to another fire in the morning.
Dad just called. Hes back at the camp, they got released from the canyon fire today.
I'm headed north to Lompoc to pick up his paychecks because they cant get deposited with out his signature. So then I'm driving them up to Monterey where he is stationed so he can deposit them. I asked him "what day would be the best for me to be up there" his reply made me laugh..
"The sooner the better.. I'd like to get back out on another fire"
Steve and everyone please say a prayer for those involved in this tragedy. One of my buddies, "Clark" from high School and also flight academy, is one of the photographers on scene, he owns Air Show Productions Photography, they are the Photo company that covers the air races and air shows all over the USA. One of his photographers is still missing...
My Friend Clark just called to let me know his photographer will be ok, He said the right rear elevator trim tab abruptly seperated from the aircraft, causing an induced left roll! which was unrecoverable. The air craft was in a shallow dive at Approximately 450 knots..which is just under 500 miles per hour when the trim tab failed at 200 ft AGL ( Above Ground Level) , then climbed abruptly to about 600 ft AGL as it rolled to its left, and then descended at full speed into the ground next to the grand stands, at about an 80 degree angle! The Aircraft is Vintage P51 Mustang Modified for the open Gold Cup Class, It had a twin supercharged Merlin Engine producing about 2500 BHP The Fuselage Had been heavily modified to become much more streamlined... I will give you more info as I hear things!