Chino Happenings August 09

Fri Aug 14, 2009 7:34 pm

Took a day trip to Chino today. Went to Yanks and POF. Here are a couple of things I saw "happen'n":

The Yank's Air Museum Hellcat is making nice progress

The Helldiver is now on it's gear!

The original true blue TBF waits its turn in the restoration shop.

On to the Planes of Fame, here is "Picadilly Lilly 2" under restoration

A new F8F Bearcat restoration is being worked on by Fighter Rebuilders, no ID on this one

A "Judy" dive bomber tail section under restoration

The newly repainted P-40N was having an engine change

The Ryan Fireball looked nice with a new "Test" paint job

Fri Aug 14, 2009 8:17 pm

Awesome pictures! Are they really starting the restoration of the Judy in earnest, or is it just a "sprucing up" for display purposes. I last saw the Judy back in '92 shortly after it arrived in the States from Babo. From what I remember, it looked like quite a daunting task to restore!

What are the plans for the Judy?

Thanks.

Fri Aug 14, 2009 8:37 pm

That Bearcat fuselage was built from scratch by Ezell Aviation. It is the former Gulfhawk Bearcat.

Gary

Fri Aug 14, 2009 8:44 pm

retroaviation wrote:That Bearcat fuselage was built from scratch by Ezell Aviation. It is the former Gulfhawk Bearcat.

Gary

Ah, so who owns Elmer Ward's old Bearcat now?

Sat Aug 15, 2009 5:02 am

do you know if the helldiver is going to be an airworthy or static airplane? either way good to see her getting the work.

Sat Aug 15, 2009 8:26 am

warbird1 wrote:
retroaviation wrote:That Bearcat fuselage was built from scratch by Ezell Aviation. It is the former Gulfhawk Bearcat.

Gary

Ah, so who owns Elmer Ward's old Bearcat now?

Mr. Grey from England...... :wink:

Lynn

Sat Aug 15, 2009 10:10 am

tex-fan wrote:do you know if the helldiver is going to be an airworthy or static airplane? either way good to see her getting the work.

Since it is a Yanks plane, it will be airworthy, but rarely, if ever flown.

Sat Aug 15, 2009 10:26 am

Great update. The B-17 looks nice as does the Ryan Fireball.

Sat Aug 15, 2009 10:39 am

does anyone really know how chino became such a big warbird center? i was there in 2007 and if you like warbirbs, you have to stop by chino AT LEAST once. i hope to get back there someday.

Sat Aug 15, 2009 10:50 am

tex-fan wrote:does anyone really know how chino became such a big warbird center? i was there in 2007 and if you like warbirbs, you have to stop by chino AT LEAST once. i hope to get back there someday.

There's some good info on Chino's past in this Steve Hinton article:

http://www.warbirdaeropress.com/article ... ers/FR.htm

Sat Aug 15, 2009 11:19 am

tex-fan wrote:does anyone really know how chino became such a big warbird center? i was there in 2007 and if you like warbirbs, you have to stop by chino AT LEAST once. i hope to get back there someday.

Chino was an airport that was low key, no tower, with lots of room in the sixty's and early seventy's. Aircraft that were loud, dripped oil and not so modern were not so welcome at the city airports.
The Air Museum, Fighter Imports, Unlimited Aircraft and Aero Sport were some of the occupants in that time period.
Frank Sanders moved in in the mid 70s and there has been a flourishing assortment of long term and short term Warbird types since.
Rich

Sat Aug 15, 2009 11:56 am

thanks for the replys, but, one more question. what are they going to do with the saab's that are there?

Sat Aug 15, 2009 2:27 pm

I like the choice of paint on the P-40N.
Amazing Ron Fagen's is also a "Checkertail"!
In my book, there can never be enough aircraft in the 325th FG markings!
Jerry

Sun Aug 16, 2009 12:07 am

The TBF in the restoration hangar, is this the one that Steve Hinton flew in the Roaring Glory TBM DVD? I'm enjoying the TBM that I'm helping to restore.

Sun Aug 16, 2009 9:03 am

Great work. Where would I look for info on that Helldiver airframe? Looking forward to seeing more on the Judy.