Warbird Collection in Ohio Fields

[warbird_patrick]

Was talking with a gentleman who is from Huron County, OH who knew of a fellow with over 10 acres of WWII aircraft in Ohio. He at one point had a F-82 that he sold, along with parts of a B-36, B-25 and many other aircraft. He couldn't remember the gentleman's name or location, but remembers it was northern Ohio. Have you guys every heard of this collection?

[wacoykc]

Walter Soplota up around Newbury, Ohio. Been around for 40+ years and not a secret to warbird people. Finally started selling some stuff about 8-10 years ago.

[warbird_patrick]

Thank you for the information

[Jerry O'Neill]

Do a search on WIX and you'll find some photos of Walter's stuff posted over the last few years.
Jerry

[Todd Hackbarth]

Soplata collection photos from 1987: http://svsm.org/gallery/soplata87
Soplata collection photos from 1993?: http://www.flickr.com/photos/61086689@N00/sets/723198

various WIX threads:
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... hp?t=14270
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... ht=soplata
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... 56&start=0
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... ht=soplata
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... ht=soplata
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... 68&start=0

Use the Search function and type in Soplata



Soplata Collection listing – Mike Henniger
http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/Other/Data% ... oplata.xls

click on the Cancel button

[Clifford Bossie]

Soplata collection photos from 1987: http://svsm.org/gallery/soplata87
Soplata collection photos from 1993?: http://www.flickr.com/photos/61086689@N00/sets/723198

various WIX threads:
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... hp?t=14270
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... ht=soplata
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... 56&start=0
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... ht=soplata
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... ht=soplata
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... 68&start=0

Use the Search function and type in Soplata



Soplata Collection listing – Mike Henniger
http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/Other/Data% ... oplata.xls

click on the Cancel button

Walter bought the nose section of B-52B 53-394 (City of El Paso) when it was chopped up at Wright-Patt. How much is left?

[RMAllnutt]

Soplata collection photos from 1987: http://svsm.org/gallery/soplata87
Soplata collection photos from 1993?: http://www.flickr.com/photos/61086689@N00/sets/723198

various WIX threads:
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... hp?t=14270
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... ht=soplata
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... 56&start=0
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... ht=soplata
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... ht=soplata
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... 68&start=0

Use the Search function and type in Soplata



Soplata Collection listing – Mike Henniger
http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/Other/Data% ... oplata.xls

click on the Cancel button

Walter bought the nose section of B-52B 53-394 (City of El Paso) when it was chopped up at Wright-Patt. How much is left?

About thirty feet of forward fuselage as I recall when I was there about ten years ago.

Cheers,
Richard

[tom d. friedman]

Soplata collection photos from 1987: http://svsm.org/gallery/soplata87
Soplata collection photos from 1993?: http://www.flickr.com/photos/61086689@N00/sets/723198

various WIX threads:
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... hp?t=14270
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... ht=soplata
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... 56&start=0
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... ht=soplata
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... ht=soplata
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... 68&start=0

Use the Search function and type in Soplata



Soplata Collection listing – Mike Henniger
http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/Other/Data% ... oplata.xls

click on the Cancel button

Walter bought the nose section of B-52B 53-394 (City of El Paso) when it was chopped up at Wright-Patt. How much is left?

maybe a 1/4 of the fuselage is still present, & laying on it's side at the back half of walt's property. that particular b-52 was a distance record holder according to walt.

[retroaviation]

As I'm sure it is with many WIXers, Walter's place is a destination I've always wanted to visit. Although, I understand that it's kind of tough to get an invite for the "grand tour." Nonetheless, he's sure done a good job over the years to save some pretty rare machines.

Gary

[the330thbg]

11721 Main St
Newbury, OH 44065

Google Maps and Bing.com!!!

http://www.bing.com/maps/?FORM=Z9LH12#J ... Y0MDYyNQ==

I bet his neighbors just 'love' him to death!!!

I spot:

B-36 fuselage
B-25
F-7
Skyraider
F-84
T-6-ish
C-119-ish fuselage
C-47 Nose
C-97 fuselage
B-52 Nose
F-86

plus yards and yards and yards and yards of misc STUFF!

feels like you are playing 'where's Waldo'

All in all it looks like a 'Field Of Dreams' for WIXERS!!!

I imagine he has the soundtrack playing as you walk around!!!!

Last edited by the330thbg on Thu Aug 20, 2009 10:04 am, edited 2 times in total.

[retroaviation]

Having the address is great and all, but personally, I'm not just gonna "show up" without an invite. I know how cranky I get when folks just meander through my meager collection of "junk," so I would expect Mr. Soplata has had his fill of that.

Gary

[the330thbg]

yah.., his number is listed at anywho.com

call him from the driveway!

[Pogmusic]

Yeah, that C-119ish fuselage looks more to be a C-82.

[Jerry O'Neill]

If you send him a nice letter asking for a visit, be sure to include a self addressed and stamped envelope so he will return an answer to you.
He's not keen on using his own stamps to answer inquiries!
It worked for me back in 1985.
Jerry

[oscardeuce]

Who was it from huron county?

I used to live there.