Lefty Gardner Gone West

[Ruidoso Ron]

CAF Co-Founder, Former Chief Check Pilot Was 87
Aero-News has received word of the passing of a legendary aviator and Reno air racer. Lefty Gardner, whose P-38 "White Lightnin" was a staple at Reno as well as at air shows throughout the country, passed away on Christmas Eve at the age of 87.



According to his obituary in the Kerrville (TX) Daily Times, Gardner began flying in the Army Air Corps at the age of 21, flying B-17s and B-24s on a combined 34 bombing missions over Europe during World War II. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters for those efforts... and when his tour was over, Gardner returned to action flying nighttime relief operations in support of POWs and the underground movement Sweden.

Following the war, Gardner earned a degree in agriculture from Texas A&M, and with his brother started an Ag flying business in Crystal City. With a friend, he developed a method of controlling mesquite and other brush weeds common in West Texas.

Gardner retired from his business after 35 years... which gave him more time to pursue his true calling in aviation, and in particular aerial racing. Already widely recognized for his stunning 1976 Unlimited Gold Race victory at Reno, at the controls of his P-51 Mustang "Thunderbird," Gardner honed his flying skill at the controls of "White Lightnin"... racing the modified P-38 at Reno for over 25 years.

Lefty was also one of the founding members of the Confederate (now Commemorative) Air Force, which grew from a ragtag group of surplus warbirds into one of the leading aircraft preservationist groups in the world. Gardner served as the first procurement officer for CAF, as well as Chief Check Pilot.

"Lefty had many passions in life — his faith in God, his family and flying," reads his obituary. "He was the happiest when surrounded by his family and friends. There was never a dull moment with him as he created fun and laughter with his mischief and practical jokes. Lefty's patriotism was obvious in all that he did. He was a loving husband, father and friend. We will miss him forever."

Though we lament Lefty's passing, perhaps we may also rejoice in knowing the aircraft most commonly associated with the man will live on for years to come... and frankly, despite some monumental odds.

As ANN reported in June, P-38 November-Two-Five-Yankee took to the skies once again this year. Four years after the aircraft was damaged in a forced landing, in 2005 the Gardner family sold "White Lightnin" to energy drink manufacturer Red Bull, and the plane was transported to Ezell Aviation for an extensive restoration.

Technicians at the Breckenridge, TX facility completely rehabilitated the aircraft, keeping the racing modifications that gave the P-38 engine cowlings a distinctive look. The plane was narrowly spared extensive damage when a tornado struck several hangars at Stephens County Airport (BKD) this past April.

FMI: www.ezellaviation.com, www.p38whitelightnin.com, www.flyingbulls.at

[joecub]

I loved to watch Leftys aerobatic routine in the P-38..... that guy could really fly!. I see his P-38 has been rebuilt by Red Bull and is stunningly beautiful! I don't think I'll see it doing low level aerobatics like Lefty though!!
Thanks for the memories Lefty!

[Steve Pierce]

Nelson flew Lefty's P38 in the Missing Man formation at the service yesterday. RIP Lefty.

[scout88305]

What remarkable achievements in aviation Lefty had. Rest in Peace brother.

I found this very nice video on Lefty and White lightning
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PQfAWFHHFA

[Scruffdog]

Lefty was a real gentleman. Met him and talked with him several times at the Reno Air Races over the years. He used to come down to the Warlock pit and have a cold drink with us now and then. Blue Skies Lefty! :angel:

[kevin]

I remember seeing Lefty and the White Lightnin' at Reno. He was so silky smooth. I put him in the same category as Bob Hoover.

[stevensonjr]

In the late 70's, I was the finance officer of the Cajun wing of the CAF. Lefty flew into LFT with "White Lightning" for an airshow we were putting on. Paul Fournet, also a WWII P-38 pilot introduced me to Lefty. The CAF crew from Harlingen brought in a Wild Cat, a P-51, a C-47, and a B-17 in addition to Lefty's P-38. The day before the airshow they all went out to "beat up" Revis Sirmon's home on the bayou near Abbeville. Revis was another old P-38 pilot who was under the weather so they thought he would appreciate the" practice" airshow. Lefty asked me if I wanted to go with them on the "beat up". You Bet! Thinking I would be in the C-47 I started that way till Lefty said "you are with me". I curled up in the fetal position on the radio shelf behind the pilot's seat with my 35mm camera and my head on someones old boat cushion leaning on the back of Lefty's seat. When he closed the canopy, the Plexiglas was just touching my shoulder, and I had no belts, straps or any kind of restraints. I started second guessing my decision to go when Lefty said "I don't guess we'll push any negative G's today. We went out and did a full airshow routine with the rest of the planes and my shoulder never pushed against the canopy once. He was so smooth and gentle with that Plane it was like it was a part of him. He kept asking if I was alright even when we were upside down in the middle of a maneuver. What a great guy, I have photos of that day that I treasure. Bill

[Grizzly 1]

CAF Co-Founder, Former Chief Check Pilot Was 87
Aero-News has received word of the passing of a legendary aviator and Reno air racer. Lefty Gardner, whose P-38 "White Lightnin" was a staple at Reno as well as at air shows throughout the country, passed away on Christmas Eve at the age of 87.



According to his obituary in the Kerrville (TX) Daily Times, Gardner began flying in the Army Air Corps at the age of 21, flying B-17s and B-24s on a combined 34 bombing missions over Europe during World War II. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters for those efforts... and when his tour was over, Gardner returned to action flying nighttime relief operations in support of POWs and the underground movement Sweden.

Following the war, Gardner earned a degree in agriculture from Texas A&M, and with his brother started an Ag flying business in Crystal City. With a friend, he developed a method of controlling mesquite and other brush weeds common in West Texas.

Gardner retired from his business after 35 years... which gave him more time to pursue his true calling in aviation, and in particular aerial racing. Already widely recognized for his stunning 1976 Unlimited Gold Race victory at Reno, at the controls of his P-51 Mustang "Thunderbird," Gardner honed his flying skill at the controls of "White Lightnin"... racing the modified P-38 at Reno for over 25 years.

Lefty was also one of the founding members of the Confederate (now Commemorative) Air Force, which grew from a ragtag group of surplus warbirds into one of the leading aircraft preservationist groups in the world. Gardner served as the first procurement officer for CAF, as well as Chief Check Pilot.

"Lefty had many passions in life — his faith in God, his family and flying," reads his obituary. "He was the happiest when surrounded by his family and friends. There was never a dull moment with him as he created fun and laughter with his mischief and practical jokes. Lefty's patriotism was obvious in all that he did. He was a loving husband, father and friend. We will miss him forever."

Though we lament Lefty's passing, perhaps we may also rejoice in knowing the aircraft most commonly associated with the man will live on for years to come... and frankly, despite some monumental odds.

As ANN reported in June, P-38 November-Two-Five-Yankee took to the skies once again this year. Four years after the aircraft was damaged in a forced landing, in 2005 the Gardner family sold "White Lightnin" to energy drink manufacturer Red Bull, and the plane was transported to Ezell Aviation for an extensive restoration.

Technicians at the Breckenridge, TX facility completely rehabilitated the aircraft, keeping the racing modifications that gave the P-38 engine cowlings a distinctive look. The plane was narrowly spared extensive damage when a tornado struck several hangars at Stephens County Airport (BKD) this past April.

FMI: www.ezellaviation.com, www.p38whitelightnin.com, www.flyingbulls.at

Burro, Lefty.
Grizzly 1
QB

[Ruidoso Ron]

Burro to you also Grizzly 1!
Ron, QB
FTW Hangar

[Bob Breeden]

Burro,

To those QB's Gone West, a Silent Toast.

Bob Breeden, QB
W66 Warrenton Hangar

[skagwaypilot]

We'll raise a glass to Lefty at the next FTW QB meeting..

Last month, we toasted Red Woolsey - he was shot down over China - both legs were broken - the Chinese helped helped him to escape by putting him in a cart and covering him in 'fecal material'. The Japanese were looking for him and stopped the cart twice during his painful journey to safety but they never found him.

The skill and courage of these men gave us the freedom that we enjoy today. They will be missed.

Burro..

Chuck Boedeker - FTW QB

[aktango58]

Bill,

Would you post a photo or two?

That is the stuff legends are made of!

[stevensonjr]

The photos are prints from 35mm film. I'll see if I can scan or figure out how to make them digital. This is assuming I can find them in my albums. They ought to be shared. Bill

http://www.supercub.org/photopost/data/968/P-38_1_sm.jpg

http://www.supercub.org/photopost/data/968/P-38_4_sm.jpg

Check out the airspeed!

http://www.supercub.org/photopost/data/968/P-38_6_sm.jpg

http://www.supercub.org/photopost/data/968/P-38_3_sm.jpg

http://www.supercub.org/photopost/data/968/P-38_10_sm.jpg

[behindpropellers]

I added a few pics to Bill's post.

The rest of the pics are here (http://www.supercub.org/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=968&ppuser=477)

[Ruidoso Ron]

Neat stuff Bill!
When I was about 18 years-old, a friend of my dad's, Jim Cook started a new venture in Dallas. The airlines were just about then being required to have weather radar on board, but most of the pilots (WWII vintage) had never flown with radar. I helped install a 16mm movie camera inside the cockpit of Jim's P-38, pointed at the radar in the panel, and simultaneously, out of the windscreen. His airplane was a one-holer, and the only place to mount the camera was to the back of his seat, looking over his shoulder. Jim would then proceed to go out and look for T-storms to fly into, so he could show what they looked like, both on the radar, and out the window. He would then sell the film, with narration, to the airlines. He was fearless, and it is amazing that he died of old age in his bed. But prior to that he ran the 38 out of fuel, and plowed into a neighborhood off of the approach end of Love Field.

[Steve Pierce]

Cool pictures. I have fond memeories of Red Nose and the FM2 Wildcat ya'll were flying with. Lots of busted knucles on both. :D

[SteveE]

Guys,,, Dont want to hijack the thread,,, but thought you might be interested in a couple photos I found in my grandfathers pile of stuff.. since you are talking about P-38's and their pilots.

Written on the back of the P-38 photo is Lt. Chas Noble,, Van Nuys, Ca..
Don't know where the pic was taken,, but my Grandfather was stationed in the Philippines after they ran the Japanese off. Maybe somebody has heard of him.



http://www.supercub.org/photopost/data//500/medium/Lt_Chas_Noble_Van_Nuys_Ca.jpg


This other photo was in his collection.... Loaded Carriers... guessing somewhere near the Philippines..

http://www.supercub.org/photopost/data//500/medium/carriers_loaded.jpg

I have sent both these to the EAA Warbirds for their collection... I have a bunch of others I am in the process of scanning... Go to my photo gallery and you can blow them up bigger and let us know what is on the carriers..
I believe that is the Puget Sound escort carrier #113.