Warbird Information Exchange

Was talking with a gentleman who is from Huron County, OH who knew of a fellow with over 10 acres of WWII aircraft in Ohio. He at one point had a F-82 that he sold, along with parts of a B-36, B-25 and many other aircraft. He couldn't remember the gentleman's name or location, but remembers it was northern Ohio. Have you guys every heard of this collection?

Walter Soplota up around Newbury, Ohio. Been around for 40+ years and not a secret to warbird people. Finally started selling some stuff about 8-10 years ago.

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President National Waco Club
Curator for the Waco Historical Society Air Museum
Writer for VINTAGE AIRPLANE, SKYWAYS, BARNSTORMERS.COM EFLYER

Thank you for the information

Do a search on WIX and you'll find some photos of Walter's stuff posted over the last few years.
Jerry

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

Soplata collection photos from 1987: http://svsm.org/gallery/soplata87
Soplata collection photos from 1993?: http://www.flickr.com/photos/61086689@N00/sets/723198

various WIX threads:
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... hp?t=14270
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... ht=soplata
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... 56&start=0
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... ht=soplata
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... ht=soplata
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... 68&start=0

Use the Search function and type in Soplata



Soplata Collection listing – Mike Henniger
http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/Other/Data% ... oplata.xls

click on the Cancel button

Walter bought the nose section of B-52B 53-394 (City of El Paso) when it was chopped up at Wright-Patt. How much is left?

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Had God intended for man to fly behind inline engines, Pratt & Whitney would have made them.

CB

http://www.angelfire.com/dc/jinxx1/Desrt_Wings.html

About thirty feet of forward fuselage as I recall when I was there about ten years ago.

Cheers,
Richard

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Richard Mallory Allnutt - Photography - http://www.rmallnutt.com

maybe a 1/4 of the fuselage is still present, & laying on it's side at the back half of walt's property. that particular b-52 was a distance record holder according to walt.

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tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!

As I'm sure it is with many WIXers, Walter's place is a destination I've always wanted to visit. Although, I understand that it's kind of tough to get an invite for the "grand tour." Nonetheless, he's sure done a good job over the years to save some pretty rare machines.

Gary

11721 Main St
Newbury, OH 44065

Google Maps and Bing.com!!!

http://www.bing.com/maps/?FORM=Z9LH12#J ... Y0MDYyNQ==

I bet his neighbors just 'love' him to death!!!

I spot:

B-36 fuselage
B-25
F-7
Skyraider
F-84
T-6-ish
C-119-ish fuselage
C-47 Nose
C-97 fuselage
B-52 Nose
F-86

plus yards and yards and yards and yards of misc STUFF!

feels like you are playing 'where's Waldo'

All in all it looks like a 'Field Of Dreams' for WIXERS!!!

I imagine he has the soundtrack playing as you walk around!!!!

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S.

Having the address is great and all, but personally, I'm not just gonna "show up" without an invite. I know how cranky I get when folks just meander through my meager collection of "junk," so I would expect Mr. Soplata has had his fill of that.

Gary

yah.., his number is listed at anywho.com

call him from the driveway!

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S.

Yeah, that C-119ish fuselage looks more to be a C-82.

If you send him a nice letter asking for a visit, be sure to include a self addressed and stamped envelope so he will return an answer to you.
He's not keen on using his own stamps to answer inquiries!
It worked for me back in 1985.
Jerry

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

Who was it from huron county?

I used to live there.