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When Hollywood Ruled The Skies - Volumes 1 through 4 by Bruce Oriss


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PostPosted: Sat Oct 10, 2015 10:45 am 
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A chap I have been conversing with on Facebook has acquired an F-86F for which he is seeking drawings and potentially some parts for his static restoration.

I have also asked for the serial # for airframe history research.

Any steer on these items welcome from WIX'ers!

Looks to be in pretty good shape....can't wait to see how it turns out...

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... 215&type=3

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Favorite quote from Wind, Sand & Stars - A. St. Exupuery "friends are like trees...when they are gone we miss their shade"


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PostPosted: Sat Oct 10, 2015 2:19 pm 
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I'm sure I posted this recently, but here is the aircraft's history I have:

It's an F-86F-25 (Columbus-built) s/n 52-5303 and c/n 193-32.

It was assigned to USAFE and further to 406th FIW/513th FIS at Manston, England.

In 1955 it was flown back to the US and sent to Warner Robins Air Materiel Area for overhaul.

From there it went to Sacramento Air Materiel Area on 5th December 1955 for storage.

Routed via Pacific Airmotive at Chino on 24th June 1957, its next USAF assignment was to 3525th Combat Crew Training wing (CCTW) at Williams AFB 24th February 1958.

The F-86 was then assigned to 4530th CCTW at Williams AFB on 1st July 1958. On that date 4530th CCTW took over 65 F-86F-25s and 97 F-86F-30 aircraft from 3525th CCTW. The 4530th CCTW was assigned directly to 12th AF control and Sabre student training was undertaken by 4532nd and 4533rd Combat Crew Training Squadrons (CCTS). Pilot students included those from the Colombian and Argentine Air Forces. The film, "The Hunters" was shot during this period, so your machine may well be a film star!

Next move was to 4510th CCTW at Luke AFB on 28th July 1960. The first F-86Fs for 4510th CCTW were assigned on 28th July 1960: all came from 4530th CCTW. Like its predecessor, the 4510th CCTW was assigned at Subcommand level to 12th AF and at Command level to TAC. All the Wing’s F-86Fs appear to have been assigned to 4517th CCTS at Luke. Military Assistance Program (MAP) students by this point came from Iran, Pakistan and Thailand, reflecting how many of these countries were still in the process of converting onto F-86Fs (these were by now the last USAF F-86Fs)

It suffered an accident at Luke AFB on 17th August 1961 after the right main undercarriage failed to extend on landing. The aircraft landed on its drop tank and wingtip, and aviation cadet Nosratellah Abullahi-Fard (Imperial Iranian AF) was uninjured. The aircraft was repaired.

Final assignment was to 4520th CCTW at Nellis AFB on 8th September 1962: 4521st CCTS was the only squadron within the wing to operate the type. 4520th CCTW began with an inventory of just 20 Sabres, made up of 12 F-86F-25s and 8 F-86F-30s. Four more of the type were gained from late 1962, but inevitably aircraft had also been lost in flying accidents by this time.

On most of the unit’s aircraft, all traces of dayglo high-visibility markings were removed, but 4521st CCTS Sabres retained the yellow lightning bolt and TAC shield on their tail fins.

Training of Imperial Iranian Air Force pilots continued with 4520th CCTW, along with MAP pilots from Pakistan and at least one Indian Air Force officer (though India never received any Sabres). The final F-86F sortie from 4520th CCTW was completed on 27th June 1966.

52-5303 was flown to Davis Monthan 1st July 1966 and given the park code FC276 - it was declared excess there on 13th April 1972. '303 was moved to the Aberdeen Proving Ground ranges, MD with ‘131’ painted on it and not seen for some time thereafter.

The fwd fuselage was next noted on a flatbed at Kent County DE in 1994, and moved to Anoka County Airport MN owned by Roger Johnson.

It was sold to Walt Powell and restored in Titusville FL, then moved to a new museum site near Slippery Rock, PA.

I'm sure Walt told me he'd used the rear fuselage of an ex-FSI Sabre 5 drone, but I'd have to check photos.

Photos to follow!


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PostPosted: Sat Oct 10, 2015 2:45 pm 
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Here goes. Kent Co .94:

Image

Next, at Anoka (other two were rescued by others):

Image

Then, a couple shortly after recovery by Walt:

Image

Image

I have a couple of '303 at Manston circa '54/55, but they're a bit further in deep storage: I'll try to haul them out soon as I can.


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PostPosted: Sat Oct 10, 2015 3:23 pm 
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PM sent.


Rauhbatz wrote:
A chap I have been conversing with on Facebook has acquired an F-86F for which he is seeking drawings and potentially some parts for his static restoration.

I have also asked for the serial # for airframe history research.

Any steer on these items welcome from WIX'ers!

Looks to be in pretty good shape....can't wait to see how it turns out...

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... 215&type=3

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Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Lake Dallas, Republic of Texas


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PostPosted: Sat Oct 10, 2015 3:47 pm 
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OK, some good, some bad. I can't find the side-view photo I have of '303 at Manston, but here are a few to start:

First is Lt Walt Gutman in the cockpit of '303 at Manston, circa 1954.
Image

This is a side view I did some years ago, to show Walt Powell what Walt Gutman's machine looked like. I'd always hoped that Walt P would paint '303 to reflect Walt G's aircraft. I did meet Walt Gutman a couple of times but I don't know if he's still around.
Image

This shows the 513th FIS pilots who'd have flown 52-5303 at Manston (though Walt Gutman's name was on the canopy rail, he rarely flew it!):
Image

1. unk
2. Roy Shellhous (killed in F-89)
3. Clifford Nelson
4. Glen Mackey
5. Bill Swanson
6. Dan Dopsovic
7. George Woodfin
8. Lou Raleigh (killed Vietnam)
9. Bob Hill
10. unk
11. unk
12. Walt Gutman
13. Art Grothouse
14. Jack Owens (Commander, 513th FIS)
15. Bill Plunk
16. Mac Bulger (killed Myrtle Beach).

Finally, the only one I could find of '303 with what looks like the red/orange QF-86E (ex-FSI Sabre 5) tail. Walt Powell in front. Photo taken in Florida:
Image


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PostPosted: Sun Oct 11, 2015 9:37 am 
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The WIX Board never ceases to amaze me! Thanks for all of the feedback...

And to find out that this bird was built in my current home town of Columbus Oh...

Will get all of this to Ben...many thanks!

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Rauhbatz
Commemorative Air Force
CAF Ohio Wing/Airbase Georgia Member
PT-19/26, T-34 CAF Pilot


Favorite quote from Wind, Sand & Stars - A. St. Exupuery "friends are like trees...when they are gone we miss their shade"


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PostPosted: Sun Oct 11, 2015 7:50 pm 
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Ping me with parts needs. I know a guy who knows a guy...

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