Tom Wood Aviation - Indianapolis

Wed Sep 21, 2005 12:17 am

Thanks to the good offices of Tim Savage, and to the kindness of Duane Carroll,
I was privileged to visit today, Tom Woods' hangar at the Indianapolis International Airport.

Duane was very nice, extremely helpful not only with his time, but also by providing a ladder for high-angle shots; he certainly knows his warbirds, and talking with him was a great experience.

Tim, I saw the photos of your B-25 that were shot on y'alls way back from Columbia, IN and they are simply awesome!

The care and maintenance received by these airplanes, is of the highest standard, and it certainly shows in their well kept appearance.

The warbirds were:

NAA P-51D-20-NA
N6306T
44-74878

Grumman F8F-1
N2209
122095

NAA SNJ-5
N7055C
84895

NAA F-86F
NX-86F
52-5139

And these are but a few samples of the 54 shots from today:

Wed Sep 21, 2005 10:33 am

Wow! Lots 'o chrome on that T-6! Not only in the cockpit, but the gear legs as well.

Wed Sep 21, 2005 7:58 pm

Brandon:

Space and angles were limited, but this will give you an idea of how it looks like:

Saludos,

Tulio

Wed Sep 21, 2005 9:09 pm

What are you doing in Indy? There is a F-86 over by geist lake at the american legion with a sherman tank. If you were to drive to richmond Ind you would see signs for the wilbur Wright home and there they have a F-84. Also Ropkie had a PBR boat and some other type of attack boat when I was there.

Thu Sep 22, 2005 12:58 am

Thank you, BW!

I have visited the Ropkey Armor museum (near Crawfordsville) recently, and saw the PBR, indoors.

There is another boat outdoors, but it is not military. All the aircraft are stored -I was told- around the Indy area.

As soon as I can, I will go looking for the Geist Lake American Legion Post, and I will also drive to Richmond.

Thank you for the heads up!

Saludos,

Tulio

Thu Sep 22, 2005 7:01 am

Tulio- a trip to Columbus Indiana Municipal Airport (Formerly Bakalar Air Force Base) is a good thing. They have a nice museum that goes from ww2 to Vietnam. In World War 2 this base was Atterbury Army Air Field and trained c-47 and glider pilots, as well as Tuskegee Airmen on B-25's. Also Freemen Field in Seymour, Indiana.
PJ

Thu Sep 22, 2005 10:42 am

You better check of call first before going to columbus! they have weird hours or did and it seems like the place is seldom open. also there is a museum at camp Auterbury. the ware memorial down town has alot of neat stuff in it. A hiller helicopter is the only airframe! But you have got to go To Chanute AFB in Rantoul, IL it is great and they have a missle silo you can go in. that is the best place to go in that area. A must SEe

Thu Sep 22, 2005 1:31 pm

I have already been to Columbus and to Seymour, and their schedule is not compatible with my working hours. The museum in Seymour is open only on weekends, and since it is manned by volunteers, then this is also contingent on available volunteers.

I have also been to Chanute on at least a couple of opportunities, and I have seen the silo.

Reading about the 6 B-58s on another thread, I just realized that I have seen them all! : )

Thank you guys, for the suggestions!

Saludos,

Tulio

Thu Sep 22, 2005 3:07 pm

Try lawrenceville, Ill there is an old base there. although it is empty and there is no warbirds there is is an old WWII base and there is alot of neat stuff there. Tell the mechanic at the fbo Bibby chuck said hi. real neat place i always liked flying there. Just one of those airstrips that keep you coming back. I don't know why but it does for me.

Fri Sep 23, 2005 1:07 am

Chuck, looks like a neat stop on the way to Cinci one of these days, that is, if the gas prices do not become prohibitive.

Will keep you posted.

Saludos,

Tulio

Website · Thu Oct 13, 2005 7:04 pm

Tom Wood's SNJ and F8F-1 were at the Porter County Heritage Air Show in 2003. The SNJ was part of the Scream'n Rebels T-6 formation demo team, while the F8F took part in the simulated bomb runs.

Mike Prentiss

Thu Oct 13, 2005 11:42 pm

Hi Tulio,
I noticed your in Indy quite a bit. If you ever have some time your welcome to come by Danville, Illinois. Were an easy 1.25 hr drive from the INDY airport via I74 Westbound. We've got 3 51 projects in process a couple of L-19's. Consider this an invite!
Mike Vadeboncoeur

Fri Oct 14, 2005 12:11 am

Mike:

I will do my best to stop by nex time I am in Indy. Last Sunday, I left and I am now in NM.

It will be a real pleasure to say hello and meet you. I have admired your work with '51s for a very long time.

Best regards,

Tulio