Warbird Information Exchange

There is a possibility I will be traveling to Fremont, California for a few days prior to my planned trip to Durham, North Carolina on Sunday. Of course this is all work related. Ahemmm... And if you believe that... Well never mind.

I have already done my homework of aviation related sites to see around Durham (you might remember my thread from last month). If time permits I would like to try to get to the museum in Charlotte. I would also like to see the pole mounted birds around New Bern.

This trip to California has just been sprung on me. I have no idea what is in the immediate vicinity of Fremont. I will of course be checking my notes, but I am short on time so I thought I would ask the all knowing WIX what I should look for warbird related around Fremont. I am would go looking for planes on poles, gate guards, museums and interesting airfields. I have never been to Fremont, so if you have any tips please indicate approximate driving time and freeways.

This trip may not happen, but just in case is does I am looking forward receiving to your tips. It looks like they don't have a laptop for me, so I will be out of touch with WIX later on Wednesday.

I will of course post pics when I get back.

TIA

Mike

_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

See here.

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... php?t=4125

How close is 'close', and do you have a car?

Reno is less than 200 miles away.........

I'd offer to meet up with you, as I'm in that area this week, but as soon as I finish working on Thursday, I'm headed off to Reno.

Oh yeah... Obviously I forgot about that. I am going to try an assimilate all the tips in that post into my notes. I will post with a summary.



Good question. I won't know until I am down there how much free time I will have if any.



I will have a car.



Hmmmm.... Likely a little far away.



I would not be arriving until early Thursday afternoon and then it would be off to work immediately. Thursday might be a long day, so it looks like we would not be able to meet.

Mike

_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

Why not try to give the Coutches family (American Aircraft Sales) a call, and drive up to Hayward which is right near Fremont. They have a pair of P-51s (P-51D and H) and a nice yellow Bearcat in their hangars. I went by their place in 93 and got to see the planes. They were very friendly and accomodating people! If you drive a little further north you will hit Schellville, Petaluma and Santa Rosa. All these airfields have some historic a/c around (At least they did) and they are in the San Francisco area. For driving instructions, try this web site! http://www.viamichelin.com/

T J

Do you have any contact info? If so it would be great if you could email it to mrhenniger@hotmail.com.

Mike

_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

Hollister is about an hour and 15 mins or so to the South..... worth the drive.
Sea Fury, several mustangs (some at Reno(3)) probably another 3 not going to Reno, T-6, Steamans, jet stuff, etc

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Tom N

Does anyone know if "American Aircraft Sales" and the "Museum of American Aircraft" are one and the same? I have notes for both in Hayward, California. I have a note dating back to 1998 indicating that F6F-5 94385 was with the Museum of American Aircraft.

I think this Hellcat is a wreck awaiting some attention as indicated by the registry...
http://www.warbirdregistry.org/f6fregis ... 94385.html

Can anyone confirm it is still in Hayward?

Mike

_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

The trip to Fremont has been called off for now. There is still a remote possibility in the next few weeks.

Mike

_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

Drop me a PM if you're going to be in the area, and if I'm around we could meet up.

Hi Mike! The museum isn't there anymore. But, do stop by and visit American Aircraft Sales. I stopped in last year looking for the museum, and ended up talking for an hour or so. They are very nice. I asked Mrs Coutches about that Hellcat when I was there and she said it had been sold.

_________________
DEEP THOUGHTS BY KIDS:
"If we could just get everyone to close their eyes and visualize world peace for an hour, imagine how serene and quiet it would be until the looting started. Age 15 "


Deep Thoughts,
Jack Handy

Check out their web site: http://americanaircraft.net/

T J

first question.....why would ANYONE go to Fremont???? I grew up near there and it's a place I try to avoid

on the other hand, if you don't mind driving to the peninsula (go over the Dunbarton bridge if the traffic isn't too miserable), the Hiller museum is at KSQL. Worth a visit.

Hmmmm.... the picture of the Hotel looked nice. Is this the kind of place I wouldn't want to go out at night in?

Seriously.... The whole premise was this was a work trip. But even work trips provide some spare time. Finding warbirds in just about any part of California is like shooting fish in a barrel. The San Fran region is no exception. Hunting Warbirds in your spare time is a good hobby. So if they ever come back to me and ask if I wouldn't mind taking a trip out to CA I'll look serious and say... "Sure. I'll do it for the team. When do you want me there?" I'll let the big grin break across my face once the boss leaves the room.

Mike

_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

TJ, thanks for the info, as I'm in Oakland and about to leave the hotel for a drive to Hayward and Livermore. Better thank looking out the room window and watch A/C come and go at the airport.

Cheers,

Lynn

If you are intersted send me an email and I will send you a copy of my notes that I have compiled so far. It might help you to find more stuff.

Mike
mrhenniger@hotmail.com

_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.