Warbird Information Exchange

Just wondering, there were more than 400 Skyrays built yet less than 10 seem to be in existance - it seems like there are a few of its closer(?) contemporaries (Cougar, Panther, Banshee) in private hands. Other than Merle Maine's, I wonder why not so with the Skyray?

Tom P.

What's Merle Maine's, Tom? A Skyray in private hands? Got any photos or info. to share?!

How did those Cougars, Banshees, etc. get into private hands? Is the USN not as crazy about ownership as the USAF is? The Ginter "Naval Fighters" series always has these very interesting photos of navy jets on display somewhere but no info. as to their fate. Could those be some of the jets in private hands now?

Just off the top of my head, in the -6P/-8P photo Cougar volume, there is a shot of a trashed -8P on display in Buckeye, AZ and next to it is a shot of another trashed -8P on display in an unknown location. Neither BuNo shows up on Joe Baugher's site so what happened to them? Also in the same volume is a shot of a civilian registered -6P at an airport?? As great and tantalizing as this shots are, they always leave me feeling a little frustrated as they don't provide more info...

Anyone else feel the same? Didn't mean to get off topic here Tom but your post got me thinking about those early navy jets I just love.

-Derek

Derek,

Merle has a Skyray conversion, 1 of 2, that was used to educate pilots about flying the lifting body vehicle - I believe Neil Armstrong flew the other one (on display somehwere back East I believe). I am pretty sure there are a few photos here on WIX of this jet - just didn't do a search for them yet

I have seen a two seat Cougar for sale in the past 5 years or so, would need a ton of work but then you would have a Cougar and that would be worth it! On the Banshee, it seems like there are several in private ownership but none flying - that would be another cool jet to see back in the air.

Tom P.

Tom -

By chance I just posted a link to our gallery of photos of the F5D Skylancer to which you refer.

Photos at:
http://afvagabond.smugmug.com/AirMuseum ... 995_L9tkvG

Cheers!
VB

Tom - there were four F5D Skylancers built and the two remaining ones are the one in Ohio and Merle's in Oregon. The last one of these flew for NASA in 1970.

As far as the F4D/F-6A Skyray is concerned, I know there are several on display at musuems or outside at Naval Air Stations. NAS Pax River in Maryland has a nice one at their museum which was one of the last flying Skyrays with the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School in the late sixties.

It would be great to see a Skyray, Cougar, Banshee or some other vintage Navy/Marine jet fighter from the Fifties back in the air. I would love to see the Cavanaugh Flight Museum's F9F-2B Panther back in the air again someday. I believe that Rich Sugden's beautiful FJ-4B Fury is the only currently flying 1950's vintage U.S. Naval jet fighter.

Thanks Jim!

I agree, that would make an incredible heritage flight - Cougar/Panther/Skyray/Banshee with a Hornet! "Doc" has done a great job with the Fury. Too bad the Tomcat is gone. . .

Tom P.

Here you go. Merle Maine's collection, Ontario, OR March 2006.

Saludos,


Tulio

_________________
Why take the best part of life out of your life, when you can have life with the best part of your life in your life?

I am one of them 'futbol' people.

Will the previous owner has pics of this double cabin sample

GOOD MORNING, WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Press "1" for English.
Press "2" to disconnect until you have learned to speak English.

Sooooo, how am I going to know to press 1 or 2, if I do not speak English????

Thanks Tulio!

Tom P.