MGM Studios Warbirds

[Rob Mears]

I'd be interested in learning any and everything known about the type, number, and exact location of the warbirds retired from the MGM lot back in the 1950s/60s.

Wasn't there a photo taken of the lot showing a PBY and a few others? I can't believe how little info survives concerning these planes, especially since they were associated with a high-visibility production facility.

[Steve T]

Rob--

Can't supply precise info off the top of my head, but I do remember seeing stuff about the infamous MGM backlot cleanup in one or more old Air Classics circa, I think, 1969-71. I too remember a shot showing a PBY hull. That I know of, there was at least one P-38H (scrapped!), the PBY, a B-17 hulk (which memory says was rescued by Ed Maloney?) and, possibly at a different location, no fewer than six A-24 Dauntlesses that had been used as wind machines! If I have time I'll trawl through the old AC issues I have and hunt down the relevant piece...

S.

[TimAPNY]

One of the SBD (if not more) is being restored in Ohio; they have the B-26 also. Sorry mind is not working right now. As I recall from their web site they have to build a new tail because it was chopped off, and the rest was used as a wind machine.

[bdk]

One of the SBD (if not more) is being restored in Ohio

Tallichet used to have the wind machine SBD's at Chino. I think they were used in orchards.

The Planes of Fame SBD came from MGM as I recall.

[SaxMan]

There's a shot of the MGM warbirds in the movie "That's Entertainment". At one point in the movie the have a scene where they show a lot where the airplanes were stored. I distinctly recall seeing a P-47 in there among others.

[AirJimL2]

There were six SBD/A-24 wind machines I know about:

Mystery bird under restoration at MAPS
s/n 42-54593 under restoration with Kevin Smith
s/n 42-54643 formerly at MAPS
s/n 42-54643 in storage with Kermit Weeks
BuNo. 28536 flying with POF
BuNo. 10518 flying with Yanks

Jim

[RMAllnutt]

Very interesting. I had always wondered which the sixth SBD was... I had no idea it was the mystery ship at MAPS. Incidentally, work is being carried out on parts of Kermit's A-24 as Kevin Smith and he have been sharing some of the NRE at Aero Trader on the wings and control surfaces.

Cheers,
Richard

[bdk]

There were six SBD/A-24 wind machines I know about:

...BuNo. 28536 flying with POF

I remember when this SBD was being restored ('82-'83?). We recovered a bunch of spent .30-06 ammo and links that were encrusted in mud in the bottom of the fuselage. Still got some!

As I recall the aircraft had been used by the RNZAF at one point in its career.

http://www.warbirdregistry.org/sbdregistry/sbd-28536.html