Warbird Information Exchange

Posted some shots from Chino...like computers, once you leave the place they are outdated. Square One is now gone..but they had a great line up inside. There is even a section of the Bearcat hanging on the wall. Chino is never a dissappointment!

Jim Harley

http://community.webshots.com/user/jfharley

What is the taildragger fuselage laying on its side over at Aero Trader in your photos?

Jim, great shots, thanks for sharing.

I visited Aero Trader in April 2003, mainly to see the Invader on rebuild. I was allowed to take all the photos I wanted except for the B-25. I now see they changed policy on this.

BTW, how was the Invader doing?

Thanks again

Nicolai

Nicolai.....

same thing for me.

I was not allowed to take any pictures of the B25 that is owned by FHC.

There is sadly only 2 things I wanted to do in Chino and was never able to due to various issues:

1) Visit Yanks...Is always closed when I am there.

2) Slip into what is left of David Tallichet coumpond. Through the fence I could see an Avenger, A boly and various other things 2 months ago. Anyones got pics on these ?

Ryan PT?

It's a Ryan STA, one that was slightly bent on landing. You really can't see much of the -25 as most of it is covered in plastic. After crawling around in Cavanaugh's B-25 I can't see the FHC machine being much different. Kermit's Invader is coming along nicely...just a bare metal airframe at this point...getting close to flying. There was not much left in Tallichet's compound. There was a an overseas container that was piled over in Turbos...and alot of high grass. Thanks for the feedback!!

Jim

Thanks, that one baffled me.

I'm getting really fed up with all this secrecy stuff. I don't quite get what it is all about. I can understand that if you are trying to do a deal you want secrecy, but for a restoration? These are all the worst kept secrets. What's the point? I'm about ready to just lock myself in my hangar and mind my own business. It is really frustrating!

My New Years resolution: I will NOT take any photos of nor express any future interest in any FHC or TFC aircraft ever again. End of rant.

Nice pics, Jim. Speaking of Square One Aviation in the Feb issue of Air Classics Joe Scheil wrote an interesting article about the history of Square One and its subsequent closing. Nice job Joe!

BDK - your rant is one I've kinda wondered about to - if you own the thing and are restoring it (no deals in the works) why be so stressed about who sees it?

I've helped to do a few car restorations, including a '65 289 cobra, and almost all folks are willing to let you look and ask questions - share the knowledge base so to speak. So why not an these warbirds?

Tom P.

IMHO, its all about the hype generated for publicity. When we visited FHC, they were adimant about us not photographing anything unless there was a person in the picture. They want total control of the collection's images for thier own purposes, be that marketing and publication. Fighter Rebuilders and the rest of the facilities don't discourage photos at all...the "looky loo" crowd is a huge part of thier purpose...as is most of the warbird industry. As for FHC there wasn't really that much on display that hasn't been seen by the public.

Tomahawk (which will be returned to soviet colors when re-restored)

P-51D Upopa Epops
Oscar
Spit IX
Jenny (restored right down the correct weave of linen)
Storch
Polikarpov
Russian Biplane (forget the name)
Unrestored Zero
Hellcat
and a collection of finished B-17 Parts

They have spared no expense in these restorations and they are available to the public. While I think the "secrecy" is rediculous at least they are being taken care of.

Jim Harley