So I saw a fun "warbird" today

[RyanShort1]

Ok, well, maybe it doesn't count because it's still in active service, but it was still pretty neat. I've seen it pictured here, but it was really neat to see it in person.

Sorry for the cell-phone picture quality. My good camera's broken and I can't find the receipt to get it fixed by warranty...





It was at David Wayne Hooks airport in Houston today - as was I!

This shot is for Bill Greenwood. Thanks again for the helmet...


Ryan

[ltdann]

Hey, you found "my" airplane! Was that in Little Rock? There are two more T-34s getting retro paint jobs, one USMC and one USCG...all with yellow wings.

[b29flteng]

I thought all warbirds were fun.

[ltdann]

This aircraft was painted by Sabreliner in Perryville MO, where all T-34C rework is done. They are doing a total of 5 Centennial retro birds. This is the first to deliver. Two more T-34s, a T-39N and a T-44A are in work.

[RyanShort1]

I thought all warbirds were fun.

Absolutely... so what's wrong with calling this one fun? I was just worried that someone might not thing this one qualified...

Ryan

[RV8er]

Now this is a cool coincidence... I live roughly 7-8 miles WSW of Hooks; was out walking my dogs around the neighborhood early this afternoon and saw that ship fly over. I've seen enough of 'em in and outta Hooks to know it was a Navy T-34C, but I was certainly wondering what's up with the paint! Looks cool!

[TAdan]

Thanks for the pics Ryan, I havent seen the T-34's yet. I think it looks great. Did you get to talk to the pilot at all? I think it would be interesting to hear from the people currently flying these, as they may not be so "warbird" or historically minded.

[RyanShort1]

Thanks for the pics Ryan, I havent seen the T-34's yet. I think it looks great. Did you get to talk to the pilot at all? I think it would be interesting to hear from the people currently flying these, as they may not be so "warbird" or historically minded.

Yes. I shared the briefing room with him briefly. He knew it was a cool bird. Said the same thing about the other two retro schemes as was previously mentioned here.


Ryan

[ltdann]

This was my brainchild. I was the Executive Director on the Navy's Centennial effort until September. This is one initiative I pushed and actually got some traction. The key was to select aircraft going through heavy maintenance requiring repaint. To date, we have 29 aircraft slated for "retro" paint. About 15 are done and delivered back to units with another 14 to go. In paint or soon to paint:

3 P-3s
1 EA-6B
1 EA-18G
2 FA-18A+
2 T-34C ( nearly done)
1 T-44 (nearly done)
1 T-39N (nearly done)
1 UH-1N (USMC)
1 T-6A

Already painted
1 FA-18A+
2 MH-60S
1 T-34C
1 T-6B
1 MH-60R
1 TH-57C
2 T-45C
1 HH-60H
1 S-3B
1 TC-12B

Rich Dann

[Obergrafeter]

When is the Navy getting rid if the Charlies?

[skymstr02]

When is the Navy getting rid if the Charlies?

Looks like right now around FY14. Corpus will be the last place to get the T-6B's.

[Obergrafeter]

OK DZ lets run down to Corpus in a couple of years and pick up a couple. They'll never miss em.

[skymstr02]

The airframes are plumb worn out from fatigue. Some are having a hard time flying straight, too many hard landings and over G maneuvers by the students.
We are not even flying them to the desert for storage, they are being disassembled and shredded on site by a scrap dealer.