Author Topic: Aircraft (Read 774564 times)

Texas Lawdog · « **Reply #1040 on:** June 16, 2010, 03:41:47 AM »

The folks out at the Planes of Fame are doing another restoration job. They have a P59 Bell Airacomet, the first US jet fighter, built in 1942. It is to be a complete job and to make airworthy again.

Texas Lawdog · « **Reply #1041 on:** June 16, 2010, 02:05:30 PM »

There is a story about the testing of the P59s at Edwards AFB. Some P38 pilots reported that they saw a fighter plane without a propeller fly past them. They said the pilot of this strange aircraft was wearing a Gorilla mask and a Derby hat, and smoking a cigar. The testing was supposed to be top secret. They put a wooden prop on the front of the jet and threw a tarp over it when it was towed to the runway for take off.

Steel Horse Bailey · « **Reply #1042 on:** June 16, 2010, 07:06:54 PM »

I've seen photos of the plane half-tarped and with the wooden props attached. Interesting.

I think the gorilla suit/derby/cigar thing is real - I've heard it from many sources. But I doubt it'd be in any official records!

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Texas Lawdog · « **Reply #1043 on:** June 16, 2010, 07:13:21 PM »

The group of guys at POF Museum that are working on the project have Derby's that they wear.

Steel Horse Bailey · « **Reply #1044 on:** June 16, 2010, 11:24:13 PM »

No cee-gars or gorilla suits?

Four-Eyed Buck · « **Reply #1045 on:** June 17, 2010, 07:19:30 AM »

The gorilla suits are probably too warm

Texas Lawdog · « **Reply #1046 on:** June 17, 2010, 08:27:57 AM »

The picture of the volunteers that I saw, they appeared to be in their 70s and 80s. They probably don't need to be smoking cigars.

Steel Horse Bailey · « **Reply #1047 on:** June 17, 2010, 09:48:58 AM »

Indeed!

Queasy Dillo · « **Reply #1048 on:** June 23, 2010, 09:10:00 PM »

Not too terribly long ago I hit the Pueblo-Weisbrod Museum. Spent two or three hours roaming the grounds and taking pictures. They had a decent number of aircraft and vehicles inside, most of them in pretty good condition though few - if any - are airworthy as far as I know. Some of their fleet's outside awaiting restoration work, including several of particular interest to me (the Flying Banana, an HC-131 in USCG colors, and a USMC C-119).

I really wanted some detail pictures of that -119, but...no dice.

Lots of good stuff otherwise, though. Most of their displays are aviation paraphernalia; uniforms, weapons, all manner of odds and ends. Also, they have a goodly amount on the B-24 Liberator in general and the Ploesti raid in particular. No actual B-24s on hand, though.

Our tour guide was a retired USAF light colonel. Schultz, I think, or something similiar.

It was a worthwhile six bucks.

Texas Lawdog · « **Reply #1049 on:** June 24, 2010, 07:15:44 AM »

I am a member of the B29/B24 Squadron of the CAF. I received an e-mail from the HQ that the new engines on "FIFI" have been tested sucessfully and she should be airborne for the 4th of July. She will be hangared at the Cavanaugh Museum of Flight in Addison, Tx., along with the B24, "Ol 927" formally known as "Diamond Lil".

theirishguard · « **Reply #1050 on:** June 24, 2010, 10:45:59 AM »

speaking of the Skyraider...one friend while in the Navy flew Skyraiders his whole career, even with atomic bombs on the racks another friend had a completely restored Skyraider he flew in the movie " flight of the Intruder".

Tom

Four-Eyed Buck · « **Reply #1051 on:** June 24, 2010, 11:02:37 AM »

Ah yes, the old "Spad".............

Queasy Dillo · « **Reply #1052 on:** June 24, 2010, 12:48:51 PM »

Mmm...Skyraider.

We have one that crops up now and again on the airshow circuit. Done up in USAF colors I think, but I'd have to check my pictures again to be sure.

On the matter of B-24s, I got to see the Collings tour last time it came around. They brought their B-17/B-24 pairing along with two Mustangs (one of them razorbacked) and an H-model Huey. Lots of good picture opportunities on the Liberator. Especially since I mean to build one someday.

litl rooster · « **Reply #1053 on:** June 25, 2010, 12:26:04 PM »

Here's a virtual tour of Evergreen's...there's some good shots of the Hugh's H4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKbQSYcHNjo&feature=related

Texas Lawdog · « **Reply #1054 on:** June 25, 2010, 04:49:41 PM »

I got to take a tour of the Spruce Goose when it was still in Long Beach, Calif., in a dome hangar next to the Queen Mary. I have also been to the Evergreen Museum to see it again about 10 or 11 years ago. They also have a collection of WW1 fighter planes.

Texas Lawdog · « **Reply #1055 on:** June 25, 2010, 06:06:27 PM »

I just received an e-mail from our squadron Public Information Officer that "FIFI's first flight test is scheduled for Tuesday the 29th at CAF HQ in Midland, Tx. Hopefully things will go okay.

Texas Lawdog · « **Reply #1056 on:** July 01, 2010, 05:17:34 PM »

The flight test for "FIFI" has been postponed. The FAA folks had to reschedule their visit. I hope to get further info next week. This may mean that she may not fly on July 4th.

Steel Horse Bailey · « **Reply #1057 on:** July 02, 2010, 01:04:02 AM »

Too bad - but better safe than sorry.

Texas Lawdog · « **Reply #1058 on:** July 03, 2010, 01:29:29 PM »

They lost the only flying B26 Marauder on a test flight near Midland a few years ago and a crew of 6.

Steel Horse Bailey · « **Reply #1059 on:** July 03, 2010, 11:26:50 PM »

Quote from: Texas Lawdog on July 03, 2010, 01:29:29 PM

They lost the only flying B26 Marauder on a test flight near Midland a few years ago and a crew of 6.

The Widowmaker ... or the Playtex: no visible means of support.

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Author Topic: Aircraft (Read 774564 times)

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