An Amazing Racing Plane Consumed By Fire

One of the most intriguing aircraft to populate the Reno Sport Class racing circuit is no more. 'Blue Thunder,' John Parker's amazing Thunder Mustang was involved in a take-off accident that put the aircraft off the runway, where a fire ensured, destroying the aircraft.

According to industry sources, the aircraft was involved in a high-speed abort that put it off the runway where hot brakes are suspected in having ignited a one-acre brushfire that took the airplane with it.

The accident took place, Monday, at the Reno-Stead (NV) airport, at approximately 1710 local time. The Thunder Mustang came to grief on the southwest side of the airport and Pilot John Parker is reported "OK."

Parker is a notable sport class participant and particularly visible proponent of the Thunder Mustang design series that has been out of serial production for several years. Parker got involved in the aircraft racing business in 1967 while flying for American Airlines. According to his web site, Parker is "an aeronautical engineer, airline captain on DC-10s, test pilot, air race pilot, experimental aircraft builder, and A&P mechanic."

Blue Thunder was an all composite, kit-built P-51 replica, powered by a Falconer V-12 engine and originally offered to the aviation industry as the "Thunder Mustang." Despite being a 3/4 scale version of the World War II era North American P-51D Mustang, Blue Thunder (which took 3 years to build) is reportedly as fast as the actual WWII legend.

FMI: www.bluethunderairracing.com