AT-11s in Rantoul, KS

[L. Thompson]

Does anyone know whatever became of the Beechcraft AT-11 Kansans up at Rantoul, KS? I went out there in early 1974 and I recall Dempsey had two AT-11 derelicts sitting there near the North American O-47. I went there to photograph the O-47 but the Kansans and the T-6 basket cases and other treasures was real frosting on the cake. I took some pictures that day that I think were published in the Air Classics May 1974 edition "Warbird Report." Of course my negatives were never seen again despite sending a SASE.

It was raining hard that day and my two KU buddies and I had to hide out in the one AT-11 for about 20 minutes and play "bomber crew" until the rain subsided.

I have often wondered if the two old AT-11's and the T-6 fuselages (at least two with single seat duster canopies) were ever used for restorations.

Lowell

[Wolverine]

Where are the aircraft at Rantoul? It's only a few minute detour for me when I go to Kansas City. I'd love to go. Phone numbers anyone?

Whatever happened to the O-47? Is this the one at the Combat Air Museum in Topeka? I've been looking for the serial number of the aircraft in Topeka. (well, actually for all surviving O-47s...it's frustrating to know I'm within 30 minutes of an O-47A ARGHHHHHH!!!!!)

[L. Thompson]

The O-47B is the same one at Topeka. Air Classics, November 1982, did a pretty good photo story (by Gene Smith) of the long trip by road that the old bird made out of Rantoul.

It was N73716 with a c/n of 51-1011. Johan M. Larsen, of Minneapolis still was registered owner of O-47B, 51-1025, N73722 in January 1974 as well.

The Rantoul O-47 belonged to William A. Dempsey, and his D & D Aero Spray on 2192 Vermont Rd. In 1974 you couldn't miss it because Rantoul was only a cross road with no stores, gas station, or anythying I recall. Maybe a one horse fire station. Dempsey's grass strip was above road level but if you were looking you'd see an old Harpoon or Ventura in 1974 near the roadside. I found my May 1974 Air Classics and on pages 10-11 you'll see two shots of the O-47 and one of the single seat T-6, N9522C BuAer 26912, which was still in decent shape in those days. Another single seat T-6 or two were in the graveyard of hulks at the strip. One of those may have been SNJ-4, N7008C, BuAer 51402, 88-13784.

The photo of the T-6 on pge 11 also shows, if you look close, the two old AT-11s in the background.

Here were some other D & D Aero Spray aircraft still found in a web search but there were many:

N3753N 44-77272 DOUGLAS C-47

N43941 53-7801 CONVAIR C-131B

555H 2013 LOCKHEED 18-56

61673 75-3171 BOEING A75N1(PT17)

One of the things I best remember that day were a set of great looking TBM bombay doors and a turret or two.

Lowell

[Wolverine]

Neat.

What was the US Military Serial Number?

I'm assuming it was 38-*** or 39-***.

[L. Thompson]

N73716 is 39-098

N73722 is 39-112

NASM has O-47A 37-279

The Air Museum's O-47A, N4725V, lost in June 1982 was 38-284

The O-47A recovered from a NC swamp in 1978 is 38-295.

There were five O-47s operated by a Tulsa photo outfit in the early 60's. Dempsey paid $800 for his out of there. He flew it home, and made one test hop after that, but it never flew again. He thought in the 1982 AC article that it was a low time airframe.

N73716 was delivered to the USAAC on 29 December 1939. Initially assigned to Roberson Field in Missouri in January 1940.

[Wolverine]

THANK YOU!

[Tulio]

When I visited Rantoul in October 2004, the AT-11 was inside one of the hangars and according to the gentleman there, it was being restored for the owner, who lived in California.

Too dark for photos, no flash, hence, I have no photos of the AT-11. The T-6s were not there , but there was a C-47 with faded U.N. markings and four C-54s in tanker configuration, as well as a Lockheed twin.

Saludos,


Tulio

[Wolverine]

*drools*

I had no clue this stuff was so close!

Man, I have got to get to Olathe too...and Benton...and Westport Airport...

Slightly off-topic question: the FAA registry shows several antique aircraft in Sedgwick County (Wichita, where I live) registered after 2000. Would it be alright to contact the owners and request to see their planes?

[bdk]

The Air Museum's O-47A, N4725V, lost in June 1982 was 38-284.

http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNumSQL.asp?verified=1&NNumbertxt=4725V

The nose, wings, and tail of this aircraft are in storage in Chino. Primarily the center section wing and cockpit area were burnt out.

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_i ... 3560&key=1

The O-47A recovered from a NC swamp in 1978 is 38-295.

http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNumSQL.asp?verified=1&NNumbertxt=1047P

Now with The Air Museum/Planes of Fame to be restored to airworthy condition.

[Wolverine]

*drooling picks up pace*

[L. Thompson]

Tulio, Did you get any identification numbers on the AT-11 while there?

In 1973-74 there was also a still very stock natural aluminum ex-USAF Beech C-45 fuselage/tails at Lawrence, KS airport with the markings/stencils still very clear. I believe it was in the weeds behind a hangar. Probably a donation to the University of Kansas Aero Engineering department.

[Tulio]

No, I did not. While the gentleman was very nice and answered many questions, I had the impression that I should not try to get any registration or serial number.

He allowed me to go and take pictures of the DC-4s, and the Lockheed twin, the original reason for my trip to Rantoul.

Sorry.

Saludos,


Tulio

[Wolverine]

Have a postable picture of the twin?

I was thinking it was a C-60 or L-18.

[Tulio]

Here you go:

I shot this with a small digital camera:





Saludos,


Tulio

[Chunks]

I just found this post from a year ago concerning the aircraft in Rantoul. Does anyone have photos of the T-6s that were abondoned there? I would like to see what has been in the air classics articles but that was too far back for me. I purchased some parts some time back and I think some of them were off of one of these dusters that had crashed.

Jack