Warbird Information Exchange

When I was at NAS Pensecola several years ago there were dozens of piston-powered B model T-34's all over the museum ramp. I understand that these were former Navy flying club aircraft. I was told that the airplanes were going to be "trading material" for things the museum wanted.
Does anybody know what became of those airplanes? are they still there?

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All I did was press this red button here...

Many are still around, about 8 if I recall correctly.

Gary

Nine were present as of May this year:

(140758) Beech T-34B c/n BG-92, 11.55 N85993 dismantled Mar04 May11
140813 Beech T-34B Fly Navy (N7098U) Oct94 May11
140818 Beech T-34B Fly Navy (N27681) Oct94 May11
140868 Beech T-34B Fly Navy (N45743) Oct94 May11
140876 Beech T-34B Fly Navy (N85684) Oct94 May11
140926 Beech T-34B Fly Navy (N8709S) Oct94 May11
140929 Beech T-34B Fly Navy (N7098C) Oct94 May11
144044 Beech T-34B Fly Navy (N4579P) Oct94 May11
(144070) Beech T-34B c/n BG-377 N9980Q dismantled Mar04 May11

Andy Marden
USAMOOS

Originally they were going to be traded for goods and services.
The FAA didn't like the navy firewalls and that delayed things
for a time. In todays litegeous society I don't think you'll ever
see it. As longs as there are potential plantiffs and lawyers
that believe in perpetual liability I don't think the navy will do
it. It's unfortunate, but who could afford the exposure??

And, have those airframes had all the spar beef ups and other AD's complied with? Remember that big smell from a couple years ago? You can get away with lots of stuff 'in house' that will put you on the floor when you apply for that private owners N# instead of the quasi military N#.
If not, then static display only-

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Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

Dunno about the upgrades. But I do know, with as
many times as the T-34 fleet has been grounded in
the last few years, I wouldn't get in one if the ride
was free.

Here is a Photo of some of the T-34's at Pensacola from March of 2011.



Mark Fidler

There were a bunch there when I was there last week....

BTW Feds wouldn't be liable for problems.... Now for the first civilian owner, different story... Same for Beechcraft, they are on the hook too....

Mark H

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Fly safe or you get to meet me .......

Mark,

From my experience with the Naval Esquires, they felt that any former U.S. Navy owned aircraft operated by anyone is subject to future litigation against the US Government in the event of an accident.

During our negotiations to settle out of court they cited at least two such cases which the government paid settlement for an injury or injuries while civilian owned and operated. In my opinion they made it clear that no future sales or trades of surplus Naval aircraft would happen. Another former NHC employee told me that no further trades of "wet titles" to Navy aircraft would ever happen again. With the current laws, I believe preservation of these and other Naval warbirds looks dim.

Pirate Lex
http://www.BrewsterCorsair.com

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An ego is no match for gravity.

Well you had the first hand misfortune to deal with these fine gentlemen, my heart really goes out for you.......

Strange especially since in law school I recall the term "sovereign immunity".......The state cannot commit a wrong and is immune from civil suits and criminal prosecutions..........

Strange bunch the Navy guys........

They want to steal rotten abandoned planes that citizens save with their own funds and now they pay damages for people hurt by their planes. I need an asprin and to head to bed.......

Mark H

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Fly safe or you get to meet me .......

I got to fly one of those aircraft years ago. A test pilot from Pax River flew into my airport where I worked lineservice, he had come in to visit a female and spend the weekend at the beach. I think the N-number was N34PR. We went out and shot touch-&-go's for about 30 minutes....then another line guy came on the unicom informing us that the lady had shown up. That was the end of the flight.


Chappie

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Brrring. Dispersal? TWO SECTIONS SCRAMBLE!!

" Nine were present as of May this year:

(140758) Beech T-34B c/n BG-92, 11.55 N85993 dismantled Mar04 May11
140813 Beech T-34B Fly Navy (N7098U) Oct94 May11
140818 Beech T-34B Fly Navy (N27681) Oct94 May11
140868 Beech T-34B Fly Navy (N45743) Oct94 May11
140876 Beech T-34B Fly Navy (N85684) Oct94 May11
140926 Beech T-34B Fly Navy (N8709S) Oct94 May11
140929 Beech T-34B Fly Navy (N7098C) Oct94 May11
144044 Beech T-34B Fly Navy (N4579P) Oct94 May11
(144070) Beech T-34B c/n BG-377 N9980Q dismantled Mar04 May11

Andy Marden"

Here are a few pictures of the those aircraft before 3May2011.











In addition to the T-34B BuNos that Andy posted I would like to add some other numbers I have noted over
the years.

BuNo modex Location Date
140885 Fly Navy Naval Recruit Comm. 1May89
143988 Fly Navy Naval Recruit Comm. 1May89
144041 Fly Navy Naval Recruit Comm. 1May89

These aircraft were with the NRC onboard NAS Pensacola. They retired shortly thereafter and went to
the NNAM.











Also, The following Mentors were spotted on the NNAM ramp or outside in the grass behind the Museum over the years.

BuNo modex Location Date
140883 none ramp 11NOV93
144044 SH 00 ex-N157ZL outdoors and ramp 13NOV94-1APR98
144048 BC 107 ramp and outdoors 11NOV95-6NOV98

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The Breaks of Naval Air-Skid Marks in the Sky

Love the P-3 carrying both a civil N# and a BUAER# bet you could confuse the crap out of ATC on a hazy night-

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Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

Sovereign immunity, tho, is set by the Congress - the Navy can only claim it if it is authorized to do so. And even then it's possible for a court to deny it. Including by invoking past precedent.

So it may be that the Navy is unable to invoke sovereign immunity in cases like this. Or, and probably more likely here, they just don't want the hassle of dealing with claims and liability court case that they know they'd (probably) win.

IOW opportunity costs - they'd rather have their lawyers dealing with other things. This happens all the time; it's just easier (and cheaper) to settle some cases than to take them through the courts to an assumed-favorable completion.

After making phone calls this week: The word from the folks at Pensecola is that the remaining mentors are spoken for by Museums. They are being released slowly as time permits. The good news is that the Demil process that must be complied with is only enviromental in nature, i.e. drain oil, fuel etc. No cutting of spars, etc. is required.

Crying shame these can't be released to fly again. Oh well at least I tried.

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All I did was press this red button here...