Sad sight at Oshkosh

[thewrap]

Holy crap...............

[dangerboy]

Let me clarify a couple of details on this one, as the original post isn't quite correct. It was not a father and son team, and the "son" didn't die. Dan Odegaard (24), son of esteemed warbird pilot Bob Odegaard (he operates the museum out in Fargo, ND. and owns a beautiful red and white Super Corsair) was making a formation landing with Gerald Beck (Gerry), who was flying wing in a P-51A named Precious Metal II, not to be confused with Run Buccarelli's RR Griffon powered, counter-rotating propped mustang of Reno fame. Gerry is the one who was killed, Dan was able to extricate himself and get away from the aircraft. Gerry Beck was a staple in the warbird scene, particularly among Mustang drivers. He owned one of the few fuselage jigs available for setting up, truing, and rigging a Mustang. Just a quick story related to me by Stu Eberhardt, also of Reno fame, regarding Gerry and Stu's mustang, Merlin's Magic. Last year at Reno, a lineman inadvertently tried to use a high pressure O2 tank on Stu's mustang (virtually all classic warbirds have low-pressure systems, in the area of 400-450 psi). When 2000 psi hit the bottle, which is mounted aft of the scoop on the right side of the empanage, it literally exploded, almost cutting the plane in two. The tailwheel collapsed dropping the rudder to the ground. Here are some pics:

As you can see, the damage was extensive, and potentially a death sentence for Stu's baby. Gerry called Stu and told him to get the wings off it, crate it up, and ship it to him ASAP. Meanwhile, the mustang that Gerry was working on was pulled out of the jig, and put in the corner. When Stu's bird showed up, it was immediately put into the jig and Gerry put a crew of 9 on it. Long story short, Merlin's Magic made it's next flight only 4 months after the explosion. That's the kind of guy he was. He will be SORELY missed in the classic warbird community, as he was truly one of the great ones. I was talking to a friend of mine, Chuck Hall, that owns a mustang called "Six Shooter" and he made the comment that there are probably only a small handful of mustangs in the U.S. that HAVEN'T been worked on, restored, or repaired by Gerry.

[yakwrecker]

I apologize for that mistake that was the word that i was hearing around oshkosh, I guess I heard he was somebodys son who was there and thats how it got brought up. Nun the less its a sad scene and i hope i never have to see a crash again.

[rcflyer54]

sad

[3D-Seth]

Best wishes to all family and friends.

[sprice50]

That really sucks. It looks like his right wing clipped the leftstab of the aircraft in front as he pulled up causing him to roll over, and also causing the damage to the left stab on the other mustang.

Wish they had have landed one after the other.

I think this also highlights how or hobby can be potentially life threatening with the big gassers and we should all be vigilent.

[jack01]

Man, I hate to see anything like this happen.... It's horrible that we've lost a warbird lover of this caliber. Hopefully someone will be able to take over in his place.

Not to sound cold, but I do have one question: Does it look like they will be able to repair the Mustang that nosed over? It seems like getting one of the birds flying again might be a good tribute to Gerry.

[RCER123]

Wow..that would be the definition of a sad sight!! That guy must feel very lucky he didnt end up like the lost one!! My heart goes out to all!!

[TazmanianDevil]

My condolences to the families and friends.