Warbird Information Exchange

The one in faded OD looks as though it is really green Zinc Chromate primer applied before painting it black.

Good plan for FIFI...paint it black!

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

Some interesting stuff on It's Hawg Wild at China Lake on this link...

http://keyproductionstv.com/hawgwild.html

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

Sad ending.. I did not know about the ferry pilot being killed the next day.

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Cheers,
Peter

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Sad end for the pilot. I did enjoy the video though. You could write a book on that journey...

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

4470102 is Here's Hopin. She looks much better in this photo!

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Rob

Here's Hopin: what happened to her aft section, tail, and left outboard wing??

I think her tail feathers are in Anza Borrego...I think. I saw a photo once of the -29 storage area and "4470102" on a tail there. This was a while ago though so I might be mistaken. Another rumor was she got robbed for parts by the Disney Gang for that stupid movie.

I found her name when I was washing her in the yard at Inyokern (somebody had used a sharp knife to scribe "Here's Hopin" on the skin before masking and painting. "Nadine" was also painted under a cockpit window. I found several photos of 4470102 (somewhere on the internet) with very specific damage in certain areas both with and without her tail. That's how I figured out she was in fact 4470102. All her data plates were gone. Later on I found a photo (444 bomb group?) of her in theater.

Now she sits in the base bone yard. Who knows what's going to happen now. At least she won't get "accidently" blown up like the SB-29 on Airport Lake.

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Rob

Sorry about this picture, I had a real P.O.S. camera back then, and was so broke (like I am now) that I couldn't afford better, plus my wife was rushing me to move along. She is now an ex. Regardless, this is how I saw "It's Hawg Wild" at the Duxford Collection IWM England, May 1980. There was a cover at the tail gun turret which read "the end" .


44-61748 B-29A-45BN Boeing Superfortress G-BHDK at Duxford Collection IWM England May 1980 Photo Gary Lewis

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Kind Regards,
Gary Lewis
J.A.F.O.

As someone who helps wipe her down, I like the idea! I know Dave has at least thought about it. Did you here that Dave, there's a couple of votes for a black belly

Chris

Thanks for the info and observations... is it true that when the Navy moved it back to the base they damaged the fuselage quite a bit?

Anyone know if the B-29 aft fuselage used in the making of Tucker, about the Tucker automobile, was a real one or a prop? It looked real. I wonder if it could have been from Here's Hopin, and where it is today.

It's been a long time since I saw that movie, but I seem to remember it was a B-25 rear fuselage seen briefly in one shot.

SN

I have also heard the rumor that the tail section/aft fuselage is in Borrego. Possibly this has to do with that old Disney movie as others have commented on. I have heard over the years that the Navy wanted to include the plane in the China Lake Museum but without a whole plane it would be difficult...

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

They were not gentle that much I know. Picked it up with big straps, set it on the back of a semi and hauled it back on base. She wasn't in very good shape to begin with. I think the wildly optimistic plan was to restore her (gutted shell but nice on the outside) and put her on display at the museum. Throw enough money at her (and parts from Echo Bird) and she might be whole again someday...........I ain't holding my breath. If her tail feathers are indeed at Borrego and some Paul Allen type ponied up the cash. They might have two very nice B-29's...one might even fly. Gotta pry HH loose from the Canoe Club first though.

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Rob