Desert Rat Visit 7/29/2011 & Chicago's JU-87

[Sgt13Echo]

I have seen other posts here about visits to see the Desert Rat just outside Chicago, Ill. So, I thought that I would add pictures from our visit last weekend. We were on our way to Chicago for a wedding, then Oshkosh. There was NO WAY I was not going to stop by and Visit Mike Kellner and his enormous project. When we got there he greeted us very kindly and let us admire what he and his skilled team of volunteers are doing. When I asked him how much longer it will take for him to have her flying, he said "Thursday" If you get a chance to visit or support his project please do so. It would be great to see a B-17E in the air, especially in the midwest.














P.S. I also stopped at the musuem in Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry to get a picture of their JU-87



Keep'em Flyin'

[cwmc]

Is that Invader the old Cotton Ginny that was wrecked in Kankakee?
Chris...

[Sgt13Echo]

Is that Invader the old Cotton Ginny that was wrecked in Kankakee?
Chris...

Yes, I believe it is. I think Mike was hoping to use them for trades to help finance the Desert Rat.

[Chappie]

Wow, an F9F-8P?! What's the story with that? Did you get a shot of the BuNo?

Cool to see some recent shots of Desert Rat. Looks like progress is a little slow.


Chappie

[Sgt13Echo]

Wow, an F9F-8P?! What's the story with that? Did you get a shot of the BuNo?

Cool to see some recent shots of Desert Rat. Looks like progress is a little slow.


Chappie

I'm sorry that I didn't get any info on the F9F, but here is Mike's contact info. I am sure he would answer your questions.
http://www.aerovintage.com/rat-5.htm

[mrhenniger]

One day I will get you guys trained.



So I went to the Locator...
Aerial Visuals - Locator
...and enter F9F in the type category and Illinois in the region category and got these search results...
Aerial Visuals Locator Search - F9Fs in Illinois

I then followed the link into the location dossier to find the airframes listed with serials...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Marengo Metal Works - A-26, C-108, F-9

If anyone would like to upload the latest pics of these airframes please feel free to do so (hint hint hint). You will find links the upload tool for each airframe in the location dossier listing.

Mike

[Sgt13Echo]

If anyone would like to upload the latest pics of these airframes please feel free to do so (hint hint hint). You will find links the upload tool for each airframe in the location dossier listing.

Mike

Mike
I uploaded my pic of the F-9F-8P and the B-26B.
Thanks,
Mike

Last edited by Sgt13Echo on Thu Aug 04, 2011 9:03 am, edited 2 times in total.

[Chris Brame]

Has anyone ever photographed the actual Desert Rat name they found on the nose? Was it just simple writing, or more "nose art" style?

[Enemy Ace]

I think that F9 used to be at the lafayette Ga. airport?

[Sgt13Echo]

Has anyone ever photographed the actual Desert Rat name they found on the nose? Was it just simple writing, or more "nose art" style?

Yes, I took a photo of it and will try to remember to upload it. Just to give you an idea it's yellowish orange text and not very large.

[Rocketeer]

Is the black A-26 Invader the Collings Foundation's My Mary Lou?

[T-28mike]

Is the black A-26 Invader the Collings Foundation's My Mary Lou?

To the best of my memory, yes. I was involved with her in the Cotton Jenny" days, sure is sad to see her that way.

[Chappie]

Any updates on the Desert Rat?


Chappie

[Scott Rose]

Hey Sarge, Mind if I use the pictures for the registry?

[mustangdriver]

Is the black A-26 Invader the Collings Foundation's My Mary Lou?

To the best of my memory, yes. I was involved with her in the Cotton Jenny" days, sure is sad to see her that way.

What the heck did they do to it? I mean I know it had the accident, but they just dumped it off?