Skyhawk for sale
Mon Nov 20, 2006 5:11 pm
Mon Nov 20, 2006 6:14 pm
hee hee hee hee - well, that would be cool! unfortunately I can't see many of these becoming operational but hey! what a cool "possibility" Maybe Collings could field a pair of scooters 
Tom P.
Tom P.
Mon Nov 20, 2006 6:30 pm
That would be cool as a very long term project, I'd like to try, but, I still think you be gonna needing the gubmints approval to fly it, I might be wrong, since they are already out.
And, I remember a thread about A-4's, and one of the WIXer's from Texas, I think, said he was doing one, and it was like pouring 100 dollar bills into a burn barrel, and that there was a lot more to that plane than you would think.
Still, I would like to have one of them sitting in the back of the hangar, waiting.........just need a hangar now.......
And, I remember a thread about A-4's, and one of the WIXer's from Texas, I think, said he was doing one, and it was like pouring 100 dollar bills into a burn barrel, and that there was a lot more to that plane than you would think.
Still, I would like to have one of them sitting in the back of the hangar, waiting.........just need a hangar now.......
Mon Nov 20, 2006 6:43 pm
There was a privately owned one at Reno in the early 90s. Not from Reno, but flew in for the show and was parked in the pit area.
Mon Nov 20, 2006 7:06 pm
maybe the collings foundation can start a squadron 
Mon Nov 20, 2006 7:54 pm
It would definitely be worth somebody buying them, if only to assure that a number of complete and restorable airframes would be preserved somewhere safe. A cunning researcher would pull the serial numbers and see if any of those airframes have any exciting history. No one really did this following WWII and practically all of the "infamous" combat airframes were scrapped in favor of others that had never left the States.
There's a well known picture of VF-17 ace Tom Killefer's F4U-1A (#5, BuNo.17656) being off-loaded by crane in the San Diego port after its combat tour. Imagine how much that little beaut' would be worth relative to the others today!
There's a well known picture of VF-17 ace Tom Killefer's F4U-1A (#5, BuNo.17656) being off-loaded by crane in the San Diego port after its combat tour. Imagine how much that little beaut' would be worth relative to the others today!
Mon Nov 20, 2006 9:01 pm
Other than the FAA, no government involvement with these planes.
These are whats left of the 20 or so that have been in storage for the last 26 + years. Biggest problem is that they are A-4Cs, some were rebuilt into Ls. They both still use the Wright J-65 which means minimal engine support. They are fuel hogs too. The J-52 which came into the A-4 in the Es is a later generation engine and is 25-30% easier on fuel.
Wouldn't mind having one for a static parts source. But for a flyer I'd rather make a play for one of the KIWI TA-4s.
These are whats left of the 20 or so that have been in storage for the last 26 + years. Biggest problem is that they are A-4Cs, some were rebuilt into Ls. They both still use the Wright J-65 which means minimal engine support. They are fuel hogs too. The J-52 which came into the A-4 in the Es is a later generation engine and is 25-30% easier on fuel.
Wouldn't mind having one for a static parts source. But for a flyer I'd rather make a play for one of the KIWI TA-4s.
Tue Nov 21, 2006 2:08 am
In the 90s, an ex-Argentinean A-4 was re-imported back to the USA.
It made it first to the Houston / Arcola / Brazoria area.
Years later, it was in the Dallas area, reportedly for sale. I don't know s/n.
Then, there was the A-4 that was based in Ellington around 1989.
Reynolds??
Saludos,
Tulio
It made it first to the Houston / Arcola / Brazoria area.
Years later, it was in the Dallas area, reportedly for sale. I don't know s/n.
Then, there was the A-4 that was based in Ellington around 1989.
Reynolds??
Saludos,
Tulio
Tue Nov 21, 2006 6:41 am
There used to be a TA-4J up in Seattle. When I worked at Galvin Flying Service on Boeing Field in the early 90s, it was in the company hanger.
TA-4J Skyhawk
Wed Nov 22, 2006 3:34 pm
This beautiful TA-4J was on display at the air show at Alliance Airport in Fort Worth in October of this year. I wish I had written down the "N" number, but I didn't have a pencil with me! AARRGGHH!!
Gorgeous machine!
Gorgeous machine!
Wed Nov 22, 2006 4:15 pm
Taken at TOM '06.
Wed Nov 22, 2006 5:03 pm
Nice shot Trae. First time I've seen that view.
Maybe I can clear up some of the questions that Tulio and Randy brought up.
The blue camo TA-4 that k5dh posted IS the TA-4 that Randy spoke of. It was originally registered to L.A. Welcome of Washington.
The Argentinian A-4Q that was imported belongs to Jim Moriarty. It is currently in pieces here in Houston and more than likely will end up as a static. It was in Dallas because it was shipped up to Dave Straight for restoration then shipped back. The project stalled from there. You might search for the CH-34 thread, Jim mentions his troubles regarding this particular A-4.
As for EFD, I don't remember any A-4 based here. Jim Robinson based his Combat Jets F-104 during that time. Later the two updated Argentinian OA-4M & A-4M were here until they were put on a ship going south. The balance of the Argentinian A-4s were updated in country with a contract with Lockheed.
Maybe I can clear up some of the questions that Tulio and Randy brought up.
The blue camo TA-4 that k5dh posted IS the TA-4 that Randy spoke of. It was originally registered to L.A. Welcome of Washington.
The Argentinian A-4Q that was imported belongs to Jim Moriarty. It is currently in pieces here in Houston and more than likely will end up as a static. It was in Dallas because it was shipped up to Dave Straight for restoration then shipped back. The project stalled from there. You might search for the CH-34 thread, Jim mentions his troubles regarding this particular A-4.
As for EFD, I don't remember any A-4 based here. Jim Robinson based his Combat Jets F-104 during that time. Later the two updated Argentinian OA-4M & A-4M were here until they were put on a ship going south. The balance of the Argentinian A-4s were updated in country with a contract with Lockheed.
Wed Nov 22, 2006 11:42 pm
How about N444AV that operated out of California back in the mid-'80s? I loved that airplane but can't seem to find any pics of it on the net. Anybody out there have some? Here's the accident report:
http://www.warbirdregistry.org/jetregis ... vNTSB.html
http://www.warbirdregistry.org/jetregis ... vNTSB.html
Thu Nov 23, 2006 2:44 am
Rick:
Thank you for the data.
Back in 1989, when the West Houston Squadron and the Gulf Coast Squadron, CAF were invited to provide a fly-by over NASA (marking the 20th anniversary of the first landing on the moon), I was lucky enough to have flown in, in Draggin' Lady, and during the fly-past and back to West Houston, in what used to be Bill Stuessy's T-34 (now belongs to Craig Mueller).
After the briefing at EFD, I -since I was not flying the airplane- walked to the FBO's big hangar (don't remember the name) and the A-4 was there. I asked about it, was told that it belonged to Jim Reynolds' collection and that it was based at EFD. The F-104 was also at the hangar at that time.
I have somewhere a shot of yours truly, in front of the A-4.
The guy who imported the A-4 back to the USA, also imported a T-34 from Guatemala, as well as the former Cousteau's Catalina, a couple of Stearmans, and three Aermacchi MB-339As and a Grumman Cougar.
Saludos,
Tulio
Thank you for the data.
Back in 1989, when the West Houston Squadron and the Gulf Coast Squadron, CAF were invited to provide a fly-by over NASA (marking the 20th anniversary of the first landing on the moon), I was lucky enough to have flown in, in Draggin' Lady, and during the fly-past and back to West Houston, in what used to be Bill Stuessy's T-34 (now belongs to Craig Mueller).
After the briefing at EFD, I -since I was not flying the airplane- walked to the FBO's big hangar (don't remember the name) and the A-4 was there. I asked about it, was told that it belonged to Jim Reynolds' collection and that it was based at EFD. The F-104 was also at the hangar at that time.
I have somewhere a shot of yours truly, in front of the A-4.
The guy who imported the A-4 back to the USA, also imported a T-34 from Guatemala, as well as the former Cousteau's Catalina, a couple of Stearmans, and three Aermacchi MB-339As and a Grumman Cougar.
Saludos,
Tulio
Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:55 am
Tulio, I didn't realize that the Combat Jets A-4 was ever based at EFD. Evry time I saw it , it was at Hobby. The collection was owned by Jim Robinson, one of the heirs to the Cameron Iron Works fortune. The A-4 along with the rest of the collection was later donated intact to the EAA. At the time it was the largest single donation ever made to the EAA.