Aircraft

Texas Lawdog · April 08, 2011, 06:30:11 PM

The Dornier was built as a commercial airliner to get around the fact that Germany was forbid to build war planes after WW1.

Texas Lawdog · April 10, 2011, 09:49:43 AM

I got an e-mail last night that the A-26 completed it's flight from Midland to Breckenridge without any hitches. I am planning on getting out there to take a look at it. We have to go to Waco and bring back spare parts stored at the old squadron HQ.

Arcey · April 10, 2011, 04:47:52 PM

Early Saturday mornin' it Roundup, I hadn't put my cowboy hat on. Was still wearin' my Corsair ball cap from Pungo. Ole fella noticed it. Turned out his momma 'n an aunt ferried aircraft from place to place here in the USA to points of departure for overseas deployment.

Wish we'd had more time ta talk.

Leo Tanner · April 10, 2011, 05:07:23 PM

Corsair was the first model I built with ma dad. His favorite war plane an a good friend/mentor of his flew it. Used ta talk about how strong the engine was an only so many guys in the USAAC had the strength ta control em.

Queasy Dillo · April 10, 2011, 06:00:09 PM

Breaking topic, but it's got wings so I figure it counts.

Dunno if anybody hereabouts is closet co Clayton, New Mexico, but I'm lurking in town for a couple of days before I get back to work. I was out running picking up lunch earlier when I noticed a pall of smoke north of town. Some kind of grass fire, I imagine.

Either way, I was sitting at the light when I first saw, and not but a couple of seconds later here comes a P-3 in AeroUnion colors, (which I may or may not have fueled back when I doing line service - didn't get a good enough look to catch the numbers on the tail). AeroUnion's are the birds painted up orange and white. Sort of looks like USCG colors, but not.

Anyhoo, I drove out to the edge of town and watched the fire suppression guys make their pass. Didn't stick around too long after the fact, but it was a pretty good show while it lasted.

This isn't my picture, but here's one of their birds on the ramp at TSTC, where I used to work.

I don't care much for the P-3 in general, but I'm inclined to admit it's a pretty slick bird in those colors.

Texas Lawdog · April 11, 2011, 08:25:09 AM

Clayton, New Mexico isn't the end of the world, but you can see it from there. Clayton is a couple of hours north of my hometown in the Texas Panhandle. Clayton is where they hanged "BlackJack Ketchum". The old Clayton Htel has a series of photos of the hanging in it's lobby. There's a lot of ranch land up there, and I am sure the grass is dry from lack of rain.

Queasy Dillo · April 11, 2011, 02:20:54 PM

Oddly, I much prefer Clayton to Waco. I do just fine on the edge of the world so long as I can drift back to civilization for a hot shower and an internet connection for a couple of days. I've about decided the modern world is fine and dandy, but for the most it's a distraction.

On the subject of air-attack birds, I'll have to keep an eye open when I'm out earlier. See if any of the airtanker companies are running their Neptunes out here.

Texas Lawdog · April 11, 2011, 05:12:56 PM

I've spent a lot of time in Waco also. My wife graduated from BU and I have been to the Ranger Museum.

Queasy Dillo · April 11, 2011, 05:24:03 PM

Ah, the Ranger Museum. Or more aptly, the Museum of Sharp Things and Guns.

Probably one of the better aspects of Waco.

Texas Lawdog · April 12, 2011, 05:31:11 PM

I can't forget "The Health Camp" cheeseburgers.

Steel Horse Bailey · April 13, 2011, 08:01:27 AM

Quote from: John Frederick Bell on April 11, 2011, 05:24:03 PM
Ah, the Ranger Museum. Or more aptly, the Museum of Sharp Things and Guns.

Probably one of the better aspects of Waco.

Mr. Bell, your description (above) is SOOO cool and apropos! I'm laughing as I type this and plan to steal the phrase to use myself - if it's OK with you. (It's probably not copywrited, but it's nicer to ask - LoL!)

I've never been to that particular museum, but I want to visit NOW!

Texas Lawdog · April 13, 2011, 01:28:44 PM

SHB, It is a great place to visit. I've been there many times. There a a few items belonging to Rangers thatr I had the pleasure to know. There was a bunch of those men that just happen to be members of the Craft.

Steel Horse Bailey · April 13, 2011, 10:48:12 PM

Cool!

Texas Lawdog · April 14, 2011, 09:41:26 PM

It's about a 100 mile drive down to Waco from here. I may have to make a trip down to Waco with the CAF to bring the A-26 parts that were left when the plane was returned to Midland after the Ranger Squadron was disbanded.

Queasy Dillo · April 15, 2011, 03:54:22 PM

By all means, steal it. I'm think I stole it from somebody else, and I'm pretty sure they stole it first.

Texas Lawdog · April 15, 2011, 04:37:27 PM

I've got a feeling that there won't be very many small parts to bring back.

Delmonico · April 16, 2011, 12:19:57 AM

Well I guess I'm not keeping up with local events:

http://journalstar.com/news/local/article_80c41cc3-802c-56bd-8644-d694b210ea51.html

Sad to think this may be their last reunion.

Texas Lawdog · April 16, 2011, 03:22:33 AM

Del, I was going to tell you about it last week, but I forgot.

Texas Lawdog · April 16, 2011, 10:01:57 AM

I got an e-mail from the Vintage Flight Museum this morning saying that "FIFI" would be staying with us for awhile. The airport at Addison is having some runways repaired. She should be at our Hangar, which is actually a B-29 hangar, sometime Sunday afternoon. I will try to get over there for that. I don't know whether Ol 927 will come over too or not.

Texas Lawdog · April 17, 2011, 10:26:32 AM

Well, "FIFI" should be landing at the Vintage Flight Museum in Fort Worth shortly. I over slept this morning. I will probably wait till next week to visit. They have a big Air Show at Carswell JRB today, which is near the VFM. I will try to take some pictures with my camera of FIFI, Ol 927, and anything else of interest.