Kissimmee warbirds finding new homes..

[Pat Carry]

The March issue of Air Classics lists the dispositions of many of the aircraft at the now shuttered Flying Tigers Warbird Restoration Museum in Kissimmee,Fl. 1. Vern Raburn donated A-26C 44-35752 to a museum which plans to place it on static display. The article does not state which museum. 2. B-25J 44-30077 has been purchased by Aero Trader. 3. P-40E 41-5709 owned by Don Brooks is going to Douglas,Ga for additional restoration work. 4. TBM Avenger N4172A has been purchased by Harland Avezzie of Westfield,Mass 5. A-7A Corsair II was sold to Andy Taylor of Scottsdale,Az 6. F9F-8 was sold to Mike Kellner 7. A-4D was purchased by Tom Samuelson 8. The sale of the F-100 and F-101A is pending and 9. the Mig 21, F-104 and the C-1 Trader will stay in Kissimmee with the new owner of the hangar. I wonder if there are any others the article didnt mention? The parts of the P-38 for example.

[Chuck Gardner]

All of the P-38 parts left in the summer of 2004. Long gone to somewhere else far away.
There have been several truck loads of B-25 components leaving recently. There is much activity here now lately as it is all being removed.
The A-4 left in 2004 and the A-7 about 6 months ago. The P-40 will be finished in GA. It was nice having two of them on the field at the same time. It seems that the report from AC is spot on.
They have been prepping the DC-3 on the ramp for flight the past few months. There is some sheet metal work to finish up but it looks better than it has in many years.

[Jerry O'Neill]

The A-26 is going to the Carolina Aviation Museum in Charlotte.
Jerry

[TimAPNY]

I'm a bit sad that the A-26 Rude Invader will not take to the air again. She looked great when all polished up and flying A-26s seem to be rare these days.

Hmmm a TBM going to Westfield, is it a parts type a/c for Harland Avezzie TBF? Looks like it won’t be flow up.

Tim

[Jim MacDonald]

Speaking of Harland Avezzie, is there any news & or photos of how the work on his TBF is going?

Thanks,

Mac

[TimAPNY]

Nothing yet on Harland's TBF, that I have seen or heard of.

But now everytime I drive by that airport (which is pretty often) I can't help but think that there is a TBF there.

[wendovertom]

Where are the F-101 and F-100 going? I know a F-101 simulator ended up at the Southern Utah Air Museum which is unfortunately struggling. . .

Tom P.

[T J Johansen]

I'm a bit sad that the A-26 Rude Invader will not take to the air again. She looked great when all polished up and flying A-26s seem to be rare these days.
Tim

Agree with that. Unfortunately it seems like the A-26 has never been as popular as the B-25 for operators. Sad, since it is a great performer. On the other hand, wasn't there some corrosion concerns regarding N81797?

T J

[Jerry O'Neill]

I believe the corrosion problem came after the physical damage the aircraft incurred. I understand that the flaps might have been lowered above V fe speed and caused expensive damgae to the aircraft, hence it sa, and then corrosion moved in.
Jerry.

[Pat Carry]

Chuck, does "somewhere else far away" mean another country or somewhere over the rainbow?

[Chuck Gardner]

They are somewhere in the US. Unforntunately, I was asked not to discuss it. Sorry. Time will tell.

[krlang]

Hmmm,
I saw Harland back in Nov. and havent talked to him since.
The TBF is not at the airport Tim, its in a garage down the street.
He does Turret restorations there also.


As for the Invader....

[Wolverine]

Will the P-38 be restored?

I know it's just bits and pieces, but stuff has been restored from less, IIRC.