Static Display planes at Dyess AFB (pics)

[John Kerr]

Here are three photos of A-26C, N303WC, 44-35913.
Photo 1 prior to going to Dyess, 10-79, Tim Gann

Photo 2 at Dyess, 6-86, John Ker

Photo 3 at Dyess 6-86, John Kerr

[John Kerr]

Here are 4 shots of B-17G 44-85599 at Dyess.
Photo 1: 7-67 Lee Bracken
Photos 2, 3, 4 6-86 John Ker
2.

3.

4.

[John Kerr]

Here are 3 shots of the EB-47L, 52-0412.
1. 5-84 John Kerr

2 and 3. 7-85 John Kerr
2.

3.

[John Kerr]

Two close up of names on the B-52D, 56-0686
1. Bob's Buff - 5-84 John Kerr

2. Glo-Worm - 6-86 John Kerr

[John Kerr]

Three of the EB-57E. All photos by John Kerr
1. 6-86

2. 5-90

3. 5-92

[John Kerr]

Two of the RB-66B, 53-0466 in its better days.
1. At Bergstrom AFB, TX prior to moving to Dyess after Bergstrom closed.
2-91 John Kerr

2. 5-95 at Dyess, Craig Parchman


If people still want t see some more in the old paint, etc, let me know and I will post more tomorrow.

[Brad]

I swung through Dyess on my way home today. I didn't get many pictures because I was in a hurry and I had to use my phone. I left the camera in Midland.

The B-66 is still sitting out back in the weeds, rotting away.



A bunch of planes were recently painted and spruced up for the airshow in May. The C-97 looks real nice.




The Flying Fortress was painted as well but this has got to be the most awful paint job I've seen on a static display B-17. I would think that with the research capability of the Air Force Museum they could at least get OD green right. My pictures don't show the color very well. It's so dark that it's dang near black. The KC-135 was painted in the "Shamu" scheme using same color.

[hurk130]

Bradley! I go around and around with Doc about that. I really wanted to be there so I could have some influence on getting it done just a little correct. But you know where I am at the moment. I hope the B-17 fades out to the right color in time. The nose pexi was going to be redone by the base MX guys but they didn't get it done in time so the old one got put back on. I cringe everytime I drive on base and see it. Doc said as soon as they get their funding for another pad, the RB-66 will be displayed. Don't hold your breath. Kel

[RickH]

Also, it seems a little odd to have all these, some of which are fairly rare-ish, and to have them property of the NMUSAF, but they're basically for military personnel's viewing only. I understand why but given the budget constraints it doesn't make a whole lot of sense....

The man is absolutely right ! They should be auctioned off to the highest bidder so that the taxpayer gets a return, and... we get more rare warbirds back into the air where they belong !!

Now what is the opening bid for the B-1 ! ?

[mustangdriver]

It is time to get at the very least the WWII and Korea era airframes indoors. I don't mean that to sound like I am speaking against the volunteers that went out and busted their butts painting the planes. I am not. they did a great job.

[k5083]

Too bad about those B-17 colors. The underside gray looks much too light, as well. The irony, referencing your earlier post earlier about having to use paint from the local Sherwin-Williams store, is that any paint store can custom mix the correct color from a paint chip at no extra cost. All they needed to do was go to a hobby shop, buy little bottles of Testors in the correct shades, spill them on pieces of cardboard, then go to the paint store and say "match this" and they'd have the right colors. The guys who make giant scale RC models use household paints in this way all the time, with outstanding results. Oh well, maybe in another 25 years!

August

[Second Air Force]

Too bad about those B-17 colors. All they needed to do was go to a hobby shop, buy little bottles of Testors in the correct shades, spill them on pieces of cardboard, then go to the paint store and say "match this" and they'd have the right colors. The guys who make giant scale RC models use household paints in this way all the time, with outstanding results.

August

I agree, August--I've seen a couple of military vehicles that were painted with an airless sprayer and custom mixed housepaint, and it looks just fine! I'm sure the long term durability won't be the best, but it looks great today.

The KC-97 looks pretty darned good!
Scott

[viking73]

Hi,

I just wanted to post a few more pics of the F-4D at the Dyess Elementary School. I snapped these this past Friday. The choice of paint is horrible of course and the burner cans appear to be too short but she appears to be in good shape for a pole dancer. The photos are a little dark as it was the last bird I took photos of that day as the sun was setting:












I want to thank Kelly (aka hurk130 here on WIX) for taking the time to meet me and get me inside the gate to shoot photos of all the planes on display there. Such a nice collection, it's too bad that it's not open to the public.

We looked for the RB-66 but it wasn't where it was supposed to be so needless to say, I didn't get any photos of her. Her current location seems to be a bit of a mystery. Hopefully Kelly can find out from Doc where she's located...

-Derek

[eze240]

my how things have changed! I was at Dyess from about '84 to '90.....the planes were grouped much differently then.
I remember when the F-4 showed up, I think it was '89 or '90....They gutted it and put it on that pole, but at least the paint was right back then, it even had a mig kill.......If anyones wants to see them, I think I still have pics from back then.....Hmmm,now where did I put those?!