Warbird Information Exchange

I know who did that mod and have seen the 337 on file !

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"You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass..."
Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto

OK Rick, I'll bite. Who did the mod that removed the top of the bomb bay, and why? I'm guessing the why was to increase the capacity of the hopper tank for the Myrex, and to allow top loading. When John Stokes got her, there were three square hatches (latched with gate latches, if I recall correctly) above the bomb bay.

You've seen the 337? Hmmmmm, I would think we should have a copy with our logs, but knowing how record keeping was done way back then......

I'll have to ask Ray Clausen to look!

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Mike

Art McKinley was involved. I believe he signed the 337, it's on file at Ok City.

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"You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass..."
Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto

That was probably the 337 to cover the removal of the sheet metal "hopper". When John got the plane in San Marcos, the stock bomb bay top was already removed.

Interesting though, I didn't know Art had that much to do with the Rose. I guess, once it was moved to Dee Howard's in San Antonio, he might have become involved and was getting the paperwork up to date, or perhaps once she got to Hondo, which was real close to Art's former home of Uvalde.

Thanks, Rick, for that bit of info!

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Mike

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S.

In the morning, if we can find our cloud jacks to raise the ceiling enough, we will be taking the Yellow Rose to Randolph AFB for a photo shoot. The 340th FTG has asked that we come over for a "family photo" of sorts. The 340th FTG decended from the 340th BG, and the Rose is painted in the markings of 8U, with was part of the 340th BG.

The plan is to park us on the south ramp. Then they will move four of the aircraft that the 340th is currently flying around her for the photo. I think the plan is to have all of their people gather in front with a photo shot from a crane.

More after we get back tomorrow!

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Mike

What a wonderful trip to Randolph AFB! The commanding officer of the 340th Flying Training Group, Col. Terry Ross, was a wonderful host. Everyone in the 340th was super nice and very appreciative of us bringing the Rose over for their family photo.

The 340th FTG traces it's lineage back to the 340th Bombardment Group of WWII, which the Yellow Rose is painted in the colors of one of their planes. The Rose was the centerpiece of the photo, with the modern day aircraft they fly surrounding her (T-1, T-6A, and T-38C...two of them). The men and women of the 340th then were placed in front of the planes for a photo.

Col. Ross presented each member of the Yellow Rose crew with a replica patch of the original 340th BG that they had made, as well as a Commander's Coin. Then we joined everyone on the bus back to their headquarters building for a tour. It was evident that this group is very fond of their history! We then were taken to a local burger place for lunch. Biff Buzby's Burgers was the place, and I loved it! Great burgers on homemade buns, and big airplane models hanging from the ceiling and photos on the walls. (Not one of the Rose...YET, but we are going to take care of that soon!)

After lunch they had arranged for us to get some sim time. I flew the T-38 sim at Randolph about 25 years ago, when it was full-motion. That one is gone, but the new one is soooo much better! Talk about a high-tech video game! After doing a takeoff and climbing to altitude for some aerobatics, I got to join up on a KC-135 for some formation work. Then back for a few landings and taxied to parking. Very realistic! We then went to the T-1 sim. Where the T-38 was small, the T-1 was more like a room, with the console operator behind you. The T-1 was nice, and like a Rolls Royce compaired to the T-38 being a sports car. The sims really showed the difference in how you needed to fly the two planes.

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Mike

Just thought I'd put some Yellow Rose pilot news out. Ron Dietes will be getting his PPE in a few days. (name deleted by his request) is going through copilot training. Calvin Allen is working on his transition from the right seat to the left. And last, but not least, after a long time I have finally convinced Tim Black to transition into the left seat as well.

Add to these our IP Grant Lannon, PIC Al Maxwell, and SIC Mike Renck. The Yellow Rose is lucky to have a good pool of very good pilots to keep her safe and get her out in front of the public!

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Mike

During our lull in flying activities, our maintainers have decided to take care of a few minor squawks. The two outboard aileron attach brackets were showing a little wear, so they are getting replaced, as well as the attitude indicator being sent off for repair. It looks like the Rose will have a little hangar rest for a couple weeks until the parts arrive from Aero Trader and can be installed.

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Mike

The Yellow Rose is back flying again! She was at the HAMM in Tyler on 3 JULY 10, but arrived late due to low ceilings at San Marcos. From there she flew in the Cedar Creek Reservoir show and returned home.

Now we don't have anything booked until the Memorial Day Weekend, but we do have crew quals to get done. (name deleted by his request) is waiting to get his copilot check, and two copilots are about to take their type ride so they can move over to PIC. Those daring young aviatiors are none other than Calvin Allen and Tim Black.

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Mike

The Yellow Rose is scheduled to be at Lancaster, TX, home of the CAF's DFW Wing, on 4 SEP to sell rides, aircraft tours, and PX items. As I understand it there will be several aircraft doing the ride thing, including the DFW Wing R4D, PT-19, and the CAF B-24 "Ol' 927".

On 25 SEP 10, we are going to the Georgetown (TX) AirFest. This is not a return of the Georgetown airshow, it's just a static display, but we will also be selling rides, aircraft tours, and PX items there.

The only other thing, so far, on our schedule is the CAF Airsho '10 in Midland, Texas. Due to higher prices and less sponsorship, they are modifying how aircraft are invited. This year the Yellow Rose and Devil Dog have been invited with full fuel. If others show, it's at their own expense. Next year, as plans are now, two other CAF B-25's will be the ones invited with fuel paid. Airsho '10 will be 9 - 10 OCT.

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Mike

You guys aren't schedule for Lackland yet?

Ryan

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Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.

No reply to my E-mail as of yet. Do you have a good contact?

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Mike

Sept 4th @ KLNC?? Big clean new ramps waiting for you all as they need some oil spots....

Congratulations to (name deleted by his request), who recently got checked out as copilot on the Yellow Rose. Congratulations are also in order for Yellow Rose copilots Tim Black and Calvin Allen who took their type rating check rides this week and are now Yellow Rose pilots!

The Yellow Rose will be arriving about 0900 at Lancaster this Saturday (4 SEP 10) for the DFW Wing's fly-day.

Saturday, 25 SEP 10, we will be arriving about the same time at the Devil Dog's home field of Georgetown, Texas, for the Georgetown Air Fest. This is a static display of aircraft, but the Rose will be selling rides, aircraft tours, and PX items.

Airsho '10 in Midland is also booked for the Rose. We will probably arrive on the Wednesday prior and depart Monday after Airsho. We will be offering History Rides for sale in the Yellow Rose there as well as PX and aircraft tours.

We are waiting to hear from Whiteman AFB about their show. Two different majors have contacted me for requirements, which I have provided. Just waiting to see if they want us now. If we are going there, I'll get it posted here!

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Mike