Mitsubishi MU-2 (N895MA)

I haven't seen this kind of small plane for a long time.✈

I worked line service for many years and had the opportunity to fuel and tow a number of MU-2s. Those Garrett engines are CRAZY loud on the ramp. You definitely need hearing protection when you're working around them!

I didn't know they named the airport for Mr Paul. An old friend of my Dad's and an nice man to his friends & customers, but a hard man to work for if you were a slacker. Last time I saw him was in the mid 70s.
And yeah, I worked line service too in New Orleans and it was LOUD!

Gorgeous MU-2 Marquise! Great Shot!!

Thank you!

...man, this Mits' photo brings back some memories...long sigh and smile...great AC!
Nice shot Ron...

I used to fly one out of bwi in the late 80's. required formal training and skill, but a true hotrod.

Sooooooo loud!

The "big" rice rocket was a delight to fly. Responsive flight controls, less susceptible to Dutch roll because of the longer fuselage, fast, and with the F-104 landing gear you could drop in anywhere. Yes they licensed the Lockheed design.

I worked on a ramp back in the 1970/80's and was around a number of these aircraft. I agree with all the other posts that these were very loud, but so were Merlin's back then too. One time the pilot/owner parked his MU2 Marquis and left, forgetting to close the cross-feed valve. over a period of three days all the fuel gravity fed to the right wing and tilted the aircraft onto its wing tip. We put old tires under it to keep it from being damaged and waited for the owner to return. He was pissed that we even touched his aircraft. no good deed....

I too worked the line in the early 80s. Learned an important life lesson on a MU-2. Supervisor instructed that to fuel the tip tanks no more than 50 gallons could be placed at a time. So I went to the right tip, climbed the ladder and put 50 in. Walked around to left with ladder and hose, another 50, then walked back to the right tip and started - supervisor yelled - do the math dummy - fist tip is 50, next one you can do 100 gallons. Don't walk around a plane all day. Lesson - do the math.

About 1970, I watched a freshly-refueled Mitsu take off from ICT-Mid Continent. As he rotated, apparently the fuel cap from the right tank came off, and fuel immediately started streaming out. Someone (tower?) must have told him about it, and he flew a very tight right hand circuit to get it back on the ground OK. But it sure looked like it was 'tipping' pretty bad as he taxied off!

This aircraft brings back lots of memories. I worked at the plant in San Angelo TX from 1982-1986, and also worked at the Corporate office in Dallas TX from 1977-1982. Started as Mail-clerk/Telex Operator before moving to computers in 1979. I was always welcome to fly in them on the evening's mail-run from Dallas to San Angelo and back to Dallas.

I also worked the line at an FBO in the 70's and learned to really like the MU-2. But as previously stated, you had to be very careful when you fueled them. Here is another explanation that I found at : https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2011/may/01/mitsubishi-mu-2-addictive-performance

"Fuel is delivered from the 90-gallon (each) tip tanks inboard to the 154-gallon central main tank via bleed air pressure. ...

"With 600 pounds of fuel at each wing tip on an airframe with a narrow-track landing gear, the MU–2 leans quite a bit to the heavy side. The drill is to fill the main and outer tanks first, then put 45 gallons in one tip, go to the other tip and fill it, and finally return and top off the first tip. Many well-intentioned rampers have placed a stepladder underneath a tip tank, filled it up, and found themselves unable to remove the ladder—with resulting tank damage."

After you filled the first tank half full it had dropped a few feet. So, when you went to fill the second one it had risen a few feet and could be pretty tricky to get to if you didn't have a tall enough ladder. Anyway, they were fun! ;-)