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Unknown Static Aircraft Finds

Sun Jan 11, 2015 1:02 pm

Browsing Flickr, I've come across a few preserved aircraft I can't find much other info on.

First, is this anonymous F9F Panther/Cougar, located at a farm in Austin, Minnesota:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/bobex_pics/4672839901/

Google Earth/Maps searching showed that this one's gone now; anyone have any info as to where? Cursory googling came up with this link as well, which suggested that there had previously been two of these at this site:

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ ... minnesota/

And further, F9F-5 N1332F was until recently owned by someone in Austin, MN. Connection?

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Next, is this tail section of what appears to be a C-54/DC-4 or DC-6? at a junkyard in Nashville, TN:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/quillus/361983827/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/fallingwa ... 278878013/

However, checking google maps shows that this one has since been removed, though hopefully not melted down. Anyone got info?

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Finally, this cryptic example of TA-4F 153683, the only one of the mysteries I haven't found a positive location for:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/33389821@N04/4991430408/

I'm usually fairly good at finding stuff with limited clues, but this one has me stumped. Does anyone know more about this one?

Re: Unknown Static Aircraft Finds

Sun Jan 11, 2015 7:57 pm

Interesting - check this photo closely:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/fallingwa ... 13/sizes/l
Notice how the starboard stabilizer and elevator are shortened and faired over? Maybe this was part of an outdoor display, like part of a restaurant or gas station? Anyone remember something like this in or around Nashville?

Re: Unknown Static Aircraft Finds

Sun Jan 11, 2015 10:27 pm

Here's another little mystery I posted about a long time ago:
Image
This derelict-looking F-89 Scorpion (note missing tip tank) appeared in a PBS show, a docudrama about a Lakota Native American vision quest about 15 years ago. It doesn't match any surviving F-89s I've seen listed on the Registry or on Wikipedia; however millionmonkeytheater.com lists a possibility:
F-89D-30-NO s/n 51-11443
*South Dakota ANG 175th FIS.
*Donated to the city of Sioux Fall(s), SD.
*Was preserved in Canton, SD.
*Currently preserved in a farm field near Brandon, SD.

So I flew around Brandon, SD via Google Maps but I haven't spotted anything yet. Anyone know more about this one? (Unfortunately I don't remember the show's title... :oops:)

Re: Unknown Static Aircraft Finds

Mon Jan 12, 2015 12:21 am

Like old cars being found as "barn finds", I'm sure there are a few unknown or forgotten aircraft out there as well.
Back in the old days, the military wasn't quite so careful about disposals, and a few meant as memorials might still be with us.

I'd welcome another F-89...and the Isham & McLaren book on Scorpions does show several that went to cities that there are no current record of.

Re: Unknown Static Aircraft Finds

Mon Jan 12, 2015 10:21 am

The 2 F9Fs were owned by Roger Christgau (the previous owner of the P-51 Sierra Sue II) and have been discussed here before.
Both have been sold and moved on to their new homes. Texas and California if I remember correctly...

Re: Unknown Static Aircraft Finds

Mon Jan 12, 2015 11:56 am

The F-89 is actually closer to Garretson, at N43.77440, W96.57261.
Andy Marden

Author: USA Military Out of Service

Re: Unknown Static Aircraft Finds

Mon Jan 12, 2015 1:44 pm

Anyone close to Sioux Falls who can check it out?

Re: Unknown Static Aircraft Finds

Mon Jan 12, 2015 2:09 pm

JohnB wrote:Anyone close to Sioux Falls who can check it out?

If I get a chance next summer I will look for it while I am in the area... Not going near it until the area thaws out...

Re: Unknown Static Aircraft Finds

Mon Jan 12, 2015 8:04 pm

Andy Marden wrote:The F-89 is actually closer to Garretson, at N43.77440, W96.57261.

Thank you Andy! I do believe we have a match:
ImageImage
Nice going! :drink3:

Re: Unknown Static Aircraft Finds

Mon Jan 12, 2015 8:11 pm

I don't know if this is the same one or same aircraft, but when I was stationed at Ft Campbell, I used to run around Nashville a lot. I do remember seeing a rear fuselage set up exactly like the one in the posted photo, , and it was in a scrap yard on what if I remember correctly, the S.E. side of downtown....but that was 40 years ago....
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