A visit to the Ala Doble Flying Collection near Esparto, California, offers a rare glimpse into one of the most thoughtfully curated and actively flown private aircraft collections in the United States. Originally established in the 1980s by renowned airshow pilot Verne Dallman, the Ala Doble Flying Ranch served as both a home and repository for his impressive collection of aircraft. Following Dallman’s passing in 1998 and that of his wife in 2016, the future of the property was uncertain, with plans nearly finalized to convert the land into a cannabis farm. That trajectory changed when noted aviation historians Walt and Carlene Bowe intervened, preserving the site and transforming it into their residence and the home of what is now known as the Ala Doble Flying Collection.
Today, the collection reflects both historical depth and operational excellence. It is particularly notable for its blend of immaculately restored Golden Age aircraft from the 1920s and 1930s alongside a growing group of WWII-era warbirds—all maintained in flying condition. Among the more recent additions are two Curtiss fighters: a P-40N-5 Warhawk named Suzy and a P-36C Hawk. The latter holds the distinction of being the only airworthy example of its type in the United States. During his visit, photographer Brent Mosbrook described the collection as “a phenomenal collection of airplanes… equal parts extremely rare specimens, gorgeous works of art, and best of all—maintained in mint flying condition.”
Mosbrook spent time with Walt Bowe to better understand the motivation behind acquiring these Curtiss fighters. While the collection already featured strong Curtiss lineage—including a 1932 Curtiss-Wright Travel Air B-14-B and multiple JN-4 “Jenny” trainers—Bowe explained that the additions were not part of a rigid plan. Rather, “it was more serendipity,” he noted, reflecting how both aircraft came into the collection through timing and opportunity.
The P-36C (s/n 38-210), built in 1939, carries an extraordinary operational history. Delivered to Selfridge Field, Michigan, it participated in the 1939 Cleveland Air Races wearing experimental camouflage before joining the Maxwell Field War Games later that year. After testing at Wright Field and assignments with East Coast squadrons, it was retired in 1942 and eventually became a technical training aid. Decades later, following civilian ownership in Canada and the United States, the aircraft was acquired by The Fighter Collection in the United Kingdom. Under the direction of Matt Nightingale, the Hawk underwent a meticulous restoration that returned it to flight in 2015, with legendary pilot Steve Hinton conducting the initial flights and public debut at the Planes of Fame Airshow. In 2025, Bowe acquired the aircraft for Ala Doble, ensuring that the last-built P-36C continues to fly in the United States. Mosbrook followed the aircraft’s journey from England to California, documenting its reassembly at Ala Doble. Thanks to detailed preparation by The Fighter Collection and the direct involvement of Nightingale himself, the aircraft was returned to the air in remarkably short order. As Bowe explained, having Nightingale on hand was something of a “cheat code,” given his intimate knowledge of “every bolt” and the proper assembly sequence.
The acquisition of the P-40N-5 Suzy (s/n 42-105861) followed a separate but equally meaningful path. Bowe noted that he had previously owned a P-40E, saying “I always regretted selling it,” making the opportunity to bring another Warhawk into the collection particularly significant. This aircraft’s story begins with its WWII service in the 5th Air Force before it was abandoned at Dumpu Airfield in May 1944. Left exposed for decades, the stripped remains—consisting primarily of the wing section and forward fuselage—were recovered in 1974 by Monty Armstrong on behalf of David Tallichet’s Yesterday’s Air Force. After years in storage at Chino Airport, restoration began in 1996 and was later passed to John Fallis, who undertook a comprehensive rebuild incorporating components from multiple P-40 airframes. Fallis once remarked, “I own P-40N serial number 42-105861 and am restoring it… all major sheet metal work is done and the engine is ready to send off for rebuild,” reflecting the long and meticulous nature of the project. The aircraft was registered as N49FG in 2003 and returned to flight on March 1, 2008. After later ownership by Gary B. Peters, it was acquired by the Ala Doble Flying Collection in 2025. Today, it carries a distinctive scheme featuring a white tail with the serial “2105861,” the registration N49FG, nose number “19,” and the name Suzy in white lettering.
Flying the two Curtiss fighters offers a vivid illustration of rapid design evolution in the late 1930s. Bowe noted that operating the P-36 during takeoff is particularly demanding, describing the process as “very busy for the pilot,” with manual systems such as cowl flaps and landing gear requiring constant attention. By comparison, the P-40 benefits from more refined systems and improved ergonomics. Once airborne, Bowe observed that “the P-40 gains and holds energy better,” while the P-36 can more easily lose airspeed, particularly during dive recovery.
These differences extend to stability and handling, with the P-40 exhibiting greater stability in yaw, while the P-36 requires more active rudder input throughout flight. Aerodynamically, the contrast is equally striking: the P-36’s shorter radial-engine nose reflects its Pratt & Whitney R-1830 powerplant, while the P-40’s liquid-cooled Allison V-1710—with its distinctive chin radiator—offers improved streamlining and performance.
The visit culminated in a late afternoon air-to-air photography session, with Walt Bowe and Bernie Vasquez flying the two Curtiss fighters in formation. Captured in their natural element, the P-36C and P-40N represent not only the evolution of American fighter design, but also the enduring commitment of the Ala Doble Flying Collection to preserving—and flying—aviation history. For more information about the Ala Doble Flying Collection, visit www.aladobleflyingcollection.org.
