Warbird Information Exchange

It was few years ago that I was having one of those rare moments of joy with my Dad and the subjet of his work in the late 60's early 70's came up.
He was working for the then Collins Radio Co based in Richardson Texas as a Grounds Enginer. When one day he was approach by his supervisor and Pink sliped on the spot,only telling him that He didnt want to know any thing that took place the next two weeks and walked away. My Dad siad that he was in shock of getting what he thought was getting the Axe Not at all ! The phone rang and it was some Brass in Washington telling my father not to worry that he was on special duty for the next two weeks and that he would be re instated to his old job.
He was then told to go pink slip two more guys in his dept and then report back to a certain Phone # My father did as he was instructed and made the call. Seem pointless looking back he told me they all ready knew who he picked ! My father and crew were directed to go out to a very small cotton growing town called Addison Texas ( Cavanaul Flight museum is at this Airport today) to a former WW 2 training air field were more than one large hanger and few cows graced the field.
They were instructed to build a portable 15 foot tall chain leinght fench that could make a 100 foot bow around the hanger doors and that eletricty could be hooked up to it.
after almost two weeks in the Hot Texas Aug Heat this tasked was completed . That very evental day My dad told me that their was alot of very unsual activie at the Air port a couple of guys working on a Telephone pole one guy mowing on a tractor a few more that were working on the roof of the hanger when all of the sudden they all stop what they were doing and pulled out guns of all types and siad Here She comes ! It Was Air Force One 707 . All these guys were in the Secert Service Dad siad that they walkd the plane into the hanger only the tail was sticking out Thus the fence came into play . Dad and crew did what the were told and ask to leave and not to tell any one what they saw! As my father was leaving he siad that a Master Sergent came up to him and siad you can turn on the AC now for the Plane my dad siad that he looked at him and siad what AC ? the Sergent informed him that this Aircraft nore any other of the Commander in Chief planes had NEVER Not BEEN in a Air Cooled Hanger My father Reply Welcome to Texas ! Seems that the Collins Radio Co won a contract to fit out All the planes with new Radios before Nixion went to China .
My father never told me this nore any body else for over 30 Years. He went back to his job as his Co worker as nothing had happen.


Glen