Gateway Fighter & Aircraft

[Tulio]

Barnstormers has had a few ads for “Gateway Fighters” in the last year or so, looking for F-105 parts:

F-105 THUNDERCHIEF PARTS • WANTED FOR PURCHASE • Will buy F-105 parts: need main landing gear wheels; struts; tail hook; wing tanks & any other doors, panels, etc. for static display. • Contact Daniel W. Bissell - GATEWAY FIGHTER & AIRCRAFT, End User - located St Louis, MO USA • Telephone: 3148653030 . 3145676509 • Fax: 3148653033 • Posted April 2, 2011

From previous stays in St. Louis, I know that this address, is almost likely the same place for the Gateway Fighters, given that the telephone number matches 100%.

Bisell Auto & Body Co.
3000 Chouteau
St. Louis, MO 63103
(314) 865-3030

For those who keep track of coordinates for warbirds, these will take you there:

38º 37' 25.24" N
90º 13' 37.83" N

My guess would be, that sooner or later these airframes will become exhibits and I am looking forward to see them up close. For now, these distant shots will have to do for me.

DISCLAIMER:

I have been taking pictures of these aircraft since 2002. Only once, did I attempt to go in and asked for permission to take pictures of the airplanes. I was told that I could not go in.

The aircraft however, are visible from the streets around the business, although last year I noticed that there are trucks and containers blocking the view from the main thoroughfare [Choteau] All my photos have been shot from the street, and over the top of the fence.

Saludos,


Tulio

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[Tulio]

Second group.

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[Tulio]

Third group:

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[Tulio]

Last:

The other F-105 fuselage.

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[viking73]

Fascinating photos Tulio, thanks for posting them!

This looks like a very interesting place. So Gateway is a static restoration shop of some sort? Too bad they wouldn't let you in for a closer close and to get more photos.

Can you I.D. the Thud that is up on her wheels by the artwork?

Keep us posted on this place please.

-Derek

[K5DH]

They seem to have some interesting stuff stashed away there. I'd like to see that Piasecki "Flying Banana" restored and on display!

[John Kerr]

The F-105D with art work is: Rebel Rider, 149TFS VA ANG, 60-0452

[John Kerr]

Found a photo of the F-105D nose art in its better days:

[12XU2A3X3]

the important thing is, they OWN those birds

[Tulio]

Fascinating photos Tulio...

This looks like a very interesting place. So Gateway is a static restoration shop of some sort?

-Derek

The place is a truck repair shop / sales lot / state inspection station. My guess is, that the guy is preparing the aircraft for a museum (his?) in the St. Louis area.

The first airplane I ever saw back in 2002, was an F-86 (an "L" I believe) and there were also a couple of fuselages, wings, etc. for Polish-bult MiG-21s.

I am truly glad that the guy has saved these airframes there. It takes me but a short drive from downtown whenever I am there, to get my warbird fix.

Saludos,


Tulio

[tom d. friedman]

tulio, glad to see you posting again!!!

[Tulio]

Thank you, Tom. As time allows, I will upload a few more shots here and there.

Take care!


Tulio

[Tulio]

I didn't have my camera with me today, so I shot these with my telephone's camera.

A Sikorsky HH-3 fuselage and what I believe to be an OV-1 Mohawk's nose section and wings, have joined the other aircraft, since I last saw them in January 2011.

The F-105 now seems to be standing on the main gear, and has a long silver underbelly fuel tank installed.

Saludos,


Tulio

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[viking73]

No camera with you?! Man...

Thanks for the update Tulio. Looking forward to seeing more photos from this interesting place from you.

-Derek

[Tulio]

The plan was, to go get some chinese food from a great place at the Grove area, and because it was raining, I decided to leave the Canon at the hotel.... Fortunately, the Crackberry has a somewhat decent lens on it.


Saludos!


Tulio