Convair T-29C, 53-3486

M.P. · **Posted:** Tue May 15, 2007 5:03 pm

Hello warbird lovers,
I am heavily involved building up a small new aviation museum in Germany, south of Frankfurt near Darmstadt. Click the following link to download some information for English readers:
http://august-euler-museum.de/download/ ... lishkl.pdf

A few weeks ago, we got delivery of an cockpit section of an Convair T-29C „Flying Classroom“ and now I try to research the history of that specific plane. So I hope to find someone out here who can help.

The original data plate is still installed, so we know this is T-29C, MSN 440, AF No 53-3486, build in January 1955 and accepted by the Air Force on February 23. the same year. Nothing is known about the following years within the Air Force. Some records indicate the plane was phased out in 1982 and registered to “Universal Airways” with the registration N87982. In 1985 or 1986 the plane was most probably scrapped at Tucson, but the cockpit section was saved and shipped to Germany for display at the international “Rhein-Main Airport” at Frankfurt.

Now my questions:
Are there anywhere some information available about the years within the Air Force? Does anyone have pictures of that plane? Is somebody out there who can remember a flight within that plane? May someone remember the “SNOKY 39” sign on the clear shield? Is anywhere an manual available to help find the correct part numbers of the instruments we need to fill the holes in the cockpit panels.

Additional to the pictures below, the following link will guide you to some more pictures and a small video for download:
http://august-euler-museum.de/ae-museum-15.html

Enjoy,
Manfred

Within the Book “Naval Fighters No. 14 - CONVAIR R4Y/C-131” we just found this only available picture of our plane, done in 1961 at Lowry AFB.
http://www.ginterbooks.com/NAVAL/NF14.htm

Our cockpit short before touch down.

Data Plate

Me at right seat together with a friend doing our first “test ride”.

The cockpit looks very complete but there are some instruments missing.

CAPFlyer · **Posted:** Tue May 15, 2007 5:36 pm

Here's the data I have on it -

Type: T-29C
MSN: 440
Last Registration: N87982
Last Operator: Universal AW
Date of Delivery to operator: 15.07.82
Previous Registrations: 53-3486
Status: Scrapped
Remarks: Withdrawn from use to AMARC 5.75 (ID- PCL89). Noted Surv 97, Broken Up, Reposessed 11.04. Cockpit section at Frankfurt Airport with radio callsign 33486.

The information on the coaming is the aircraft's callsign. That may have been a modification from when it was donated to the Rein-Main AFB Museum.

Eric Friedebach · **Posted:** Tue May 15, 2007 5:58 pm

I’ve been through FRA a number of times, but never saw this display. I need to start paying attention!

M.P. wrote:

Is anywhere an manual available to help find the correct part numbers of the instruments we need to fill the holes in the cockpit panels.

The CAF Sothern California Wing has a C-131, so I bet someone from there could help you out.

Old SAR pilot · **Posted:** Tue May 15, 2007 6:21 pm

Manfred,

Don't know if the following web sites will help, but it's a start... :wink:

http://www.aviationcadets.com/

http://www.esscoaircraft.com/SearchResu ... earch.y=10

http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/

CAPFlyer · **Posted:** Tue May 15, 2007 6:26 pm

Kelwona Flight Craft is the owner of the CV-240 (T-29) Type Certificate, so they could help you as well.

There are also a handful companies flying CV-240s in revenue service who may be able to help.

Air Tahoma (Columbus, OH, USA) (2)
Aeronaves TSM (Mexico) (1)
Wings of Hope (USA) (1)
Buffalo Airways (Canada) (1)
Desert Air Transport (Fairbanks, AK, USA) (1)

Air Tahoma is your best bet, they're flying 2 with 2 in storage on daily service from San Juan, PR.

dc8jet · **Posted:** Tue May 15, 2007 7:27 pm

Here is what I have. I hope it will help.

3/16/55 3565 Aircraft Observer Training Wing Connally AFB TX

7/19/55 Air Force Academy Command Lowry AFB CO

11/1/55 7625 Operations Squadron Lowry

3/31/61 Lowry Technical Training Center Lowry

7/31/62 3415 Technical Training Group Lowry

7/27/66 4600 Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Peterson AFB
CO
1/8/72 4600 Air Base Wing Peterson

4/1/75 46 Air Defense Wing Peterson

5/20/75 MASDC

6/18/77 Allied Aircraft

M.P. · **Posted:** Thu May 17, 2007 7:31 am

Many thanks to you all for your information’s and links! This is very helpful.

Eric Friedebach wrote:

I’ve been through FRA a number of times, but never saw this display. I need to start paying attention!

After arrival in Germany, the cockpit was first displayed within the terminal #1 building, area A, right on the way to the entrance of the visitors deck. Later it was displayed outside on the grounds of an restaurant (area C) until now, when moved to its current location at the former Darmstadt-Griesheim US Army Airfield.

Former location of the T-29 cockpit

M.P. · **Posted:** Sat Jun 02, 2007 4:13 pm

@ dc8jet
special thanks to your data about the history of our T-29 within the Air Force. I have now updated the museum page and included all your information. Check here:
http://august-euler-museum.de/ae-museum-15.html

And your nickname indicate an interest on the DC-8 Jet. Yes we also have the fuselage section of an DC-8 within our collection. Ok, does not fit well into this warbird section, but here some pictures and information:

The history of our DC-8 airframe, S/N 45300
http://august-euler-museum.de/ae-museum-03.html

The cockpit instrument panels are all from another DC-8, S/N 45429
http://august-euler-museum.de/ae-museum-08.html

Our first inspection in February 2006
http://august-euler-museum.de/ae-museum-07.html

Moving the fuselage from Frankfurt Airport to the new location
http://august-euler-museum.de/ae-museum-09.html

Arrival at the new location at Darmstadt-Griesheim
http://august-euler-museum.de/ae-museum-10.html

The restoration work begins
http://august-euler-museum.de/ae-museum-12.html

Moving onto the final base
http://august-euler-museum.de/ae-museum-13.html

The restoration get some help by a group of Lufthansa students
http://august-euler-museum.de/ae-verein-20.html

Note also the videos provided by some of this pages.
Enjoy,
Manfred

Fouga23 · **Posted:** Sun Jun 03, 2007 8:04 am

MP, Do you have any info or pictures of the Sikorsky S-58 helicopter on the airport? It's ex-Belgian AF.

M.P. · **Posted:** Sun Jun 03, 2007 9:33 am

Yes, this S-58C is the ex Belgian Air Force OT-ZKL, c/n 58.388. You can find the history of this helicopter on the following page:
http://belmilac.wetpaint.com/page/Sikorsky+S-58C

The S-58 is now restored by the airport fire brigade as shown on the pictures below.

Belgian Air Force sister bird OT-ZKP is still airworthy today. I have a video of this available here:
http://www.pozefilm.de/video/s-58.wmv

vg-photo · **Posted:** Sun Jun 03, 2007 9:38 am

I have a couple of cockpit shots of the CAF So-Cal wing's C-131. I can get more detailed photos if you need them.

M.P. · **Posted:** Sun Jun 03, 2007 9:48 am

Yes please, additional pictures are always welcome.
This year I will attend the CAF Airsho at Midland end of September. I hope to see this bird there.

Fouga23 · **Posted:** Sun Jun 03, 2007 10:18 pm

Thanks for the sikorsky pics and video!

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Convair T-29C, 53-3486

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