What's happening at FHC? Lots of pics and videos!

[alang]

The volunteers got a tour today and it is pretty impressive, even has a small theater.

[alang]

A reminder, FHC has free admission on Friday, April 12th from 11:00 AM til 5:00 PM to celebrate the opening of the new hangar.

[Mike]

A shame they don't have the I-16 on the list. It looks like all 3 that came to the US from NZ (FHC, CAF and Yagen's) have now lapsed into unflown status.

[The Inspector]

Everything is airworthy and flown on a rotation system as there are only a few guys who can show up and fly whatever is on the ramp, and the Il-2, H ell cat, FW-190, and Zero need some time in the spotlight, hate to say it, but like Sheriff Bart said 'tell the truth, it's gettin' pretty damned dull around here'
crowds are getting somewhat jaded seeing the same Bf-109/Spitfire/Hurricane flying all the time

[alang]

The only pilot that would fly the I-16 was Carter Teeters and he always said "it was his claim to stupidity"

[spookythecat]

This is a sweet new hangar. Can't wait to go back and check it out in more detail.

Enjoy some pics from last nights member preview.

[The Inspector]

Looks like Bud G. was having a fun time!!

[spookythecat]

Looks like Bud G. was having a fun time!!

When is he not?

[Pat Carry]

The place looks amazing! Thanks Al. Representatives from the NMUASF need to pay a visit to FHC to see how well lit it is.

[Pat Carry]

I know the FHC is very secretive of their behind closed door projects but does anyone have info about how their B-17E is coming along?

[alang]

Nothing has been done to the B-17 in the 5 years I have been at FHC, the things restored are the ball turret and the tail turret which are usually on display on Memorial and Veteran's Days.

[Pat Carry]

Nothing has been done to the B-17 in the 5 years I have been at FHC, the things restored are the ball turret and the tail turret which are usually on display on Memorial and Veteran's Days.

Bummer I wonder if they have plans to finish it someday?

[Fight2FlyPhoto]

Great shots, Al! It was sure nice seeing you there at the grand opening! I didn't take any pics, other than the one with Bud, but I did return today.

First off, who doesn't enjoy the rare sight of a warbird cycling its landing gear?

Got there just in time to watch them swing the gear a couple of times on the Fw-190A-5:
http://youtu.be/gwNjrPVcQT0

Then I went next door and enjoyed the small theater completely to myself. Thursday and Friday were complete madhouses at FHC, so I greatly enjoyed the quiet today... however, my camera battery died after only a few pics. lol


IMG_5492 by fight2flyphoto, on Flickr
Here's "Boomarang" the Sherman.


IMG_5530-HDR(3) by fight2flyphoto, on Flickr


IMG_5485-HDR(3) by fight2flyphoto, on Flickr


IMG_5545-HDR(3) by fight2flyphoto, on Flickr
And the cutaway R-2800 in front of the P-47D


IMG_5542-HDR(3) by fight2flyphoto, on Flickr


While there I noticed a couple of things missing... Spaceship One from the main hangar, and the MiG-29 is gone again, apparently somewhere else on field for maintenance. If someone is at Paine Field in the next few weeks and you see a big cloud of black smoke and hear a loud noise, they're probably running the Fulcrum up again. lol

Anyway, that's it for now! Enjoy!

[The Inspector]

Isn't 'BOOMERANG' the Sherman featured a few years ago on 'Tank Rescue' where they used 6 kilometers of welding wire to joint a front and back halves taken off a target range to build 1 hull?

[alang]

The Dutch were using the Sherman for target practice when it was recovered for restoration.