Switch to full style
This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
Post a reply

Pope AFB gate guard pictures

Wed Dec 27, 2006 9:31 pm

We visited our daughter at Ft Bragg over Christmas and swung through Pope AFB since it is so close. I took pictures of the gate guards that I didn't know were there. We also visited the Airborne and Special OP's museum which has a C-47 hanging from the ceiling (I didn't have my camera with me for a pic).
David

Image
Image
Image

Wed Dec 27, 2006 9:36 pm

Is that a real P-40?

Wed Dec 27, 2006 9:38 pm

Image
Image
Image
Image

Wed Dec 27, 2006 9:41 pm

About the P-40, I'm not sure. I looked it over closely and can see what looks like pop rivets on the lower wing skins and metalized controls. Much of the airplane looks very real and there was no data plate to be found.
Hope some other WiX members can answer the same question.
David

Wed Dec 27, 2006 10:46 pm

Nathan - I believe the P-40 is 42-105702.

There also is a P-40 on a pole at Dobbins ARB in Marietta, GA. Does anyone know the serial on this one?

p-40 at dobbins

Thu Dec 28, 2006 12:15 am

The p-40 was,is in front of 14th Air force hq.I think it was traded out to the Airforce academy for the tp-40n that was out there.The TP-40 is now at warner robbins south of macon and has been converted to a single seat bird.(crime).When is the last time you saw the one at dobbins? The one at pope seems to be an ex-Tallichet recovery from png.I could be wrong.The 42 serial number is wrong for a shot tail a/c but it could be an N-1 made into an E. Very easy if you know how.

Thu Dec 28, 2006 12:39 am

How accessible are these aircraft to the public?

Mike

Thu Dec 28, 2006 7:11 am

The airplanes are located between Ft Bragg and Pope AFB. They aren't by a gate that the public can view unless you are on either one of the bases.
David

Thu Dec 28, 2006 10:48 am

mrhenniger wrote:How accessible are these aircraft to the public?

Mike


The last time I saw them (last year), you needed to go through a security checkpoint to get to them. Ft. Bragg and Pope are closing down alot of public access to the bases.

Shame that it's a real P-40 exposed to the elements. I hope sometime in the future some funding will emerge to replace it with a fiberglass replica. But at least the pole is tall enough to keep it out of reach of any vandals.

Thu Dec 28, 2006 10:58 am

They seem to be upkept pretty good at least. We ahd two F-4's used as gate guards at wright pat, and the decision was made to replace them with an F-15, and an f-16. The F-4's had been maintained in airworthy status(I had heard) but I was interested in how well they were kept up. Before taking them down, they hooked up a GPU to them, opend the canopies, lowered teh landing gear, and towed them away! I was shocked to say the least.

Thu Dec 28, 2006 2:23 pm

Great pictures. I thought the P-40 was a fiberglass fake?

You didn't take a picture of the Herc? :cry:

Thu Dec 28, 2006 2:36 pm

Notice how none of the aircraft are sitting on the ground? they are all on those stands that support the gear. That is a good thing for sure.

Thu Dec 28, 2006 5:44 pm

As a matter of fact, I do have a picture of the Herc

Image

Thu Dec 28, 2006 9:09 pm

Sabremech - Really good pictures. Thanks for sharing.

hang the expense - I believe the Pope P-40 is an N model. Looks like it was shortened at some point. I haven't seen the Dobbins P-40 in a long time, probably around 1990. Thanks for the update on it.

Thu Dec 28, 2006 10:19 pm

It's kind of funny in the fact that as soon as I saw these planes I knew I needed to take photos for WIX. I tried to study the P-40 closely and wanted to get some good close-ups, but being on the pedestal kept me from the photos I wanted. They all seemed to be in very good shape despite being outdoors. I'd have to say the F-105's paint was weathered the most, but not too bad. I know now to have my old digital camera at hand when I travel as I never know what I'll stumble across.
David
Post a reply