Warbird Information Exchange

I have always wondered if any of our planes were saved for display, or not.
I know alot of them went to DM, but we had over 80 A/C back in the mid 1980s, so I would have thought maybe a couple were saved.

Tail code, "BA".
#467 was our wing commanders plane, back then, and had a polished tail hook, and was on of the nicest maintained plane in the fleet.

I would be interested in any survivors, and even ones that may have been used as target drones.

Pictures and links will be very appreciated.

Also, are the RF-101, RF-84, RF-4C "000" display birds still at Bergstrom-Austin International, or were they removed/ scrapped/ ???
Thanks,
Leon

_________________
Phormer Phantom Painter

Here are what the display birds, and W/C plane looked like, back then.

Leon

_________________
Phormer Phantom Painter

There's one down here at Goodfellow AFB on display - came direct from Bergstrom, now painted in Vietnam-era camo:
http://www.goodfellowafb.us/images/good ... trance.jpg

_________________
Bob

An E model in the cloud scheme is on display at the VFW in Bastrop. 000 is up at Lakeway Airport, a local guy decided to put into Marine colors. I don't think the NMUSAF has figured it out yet.

All of the RFs on display at the gate have been dispersed to other museums/static parks.

We helped move the DelValle School's RF4 to their new stadium some years back. It's down Hwy 71 about seven miles south of base.

_________________
"You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass..."
Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto

I recommend you check out:

http://www.5053phantoms.com

Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

Leon,

The RF-4C on display at Del Valle High School has the wing commander tail flash. I'll be passing by it later today and I'll take note of the tail number for you. Just hope it is the right number and not just one painted on.

I know the RB-66 that was in the static display, just past the main gate shack, is up at Dyess AFB.

If you are ever in Austin, you need to stay in the Airport Hilton. They saved the "Donut" and changed it into a hotel.

_________________
Mike

Hey, thanks, that would be cool.
Cripes, I forgot all about the RB-66, haha!

I do know, at sometime after I was assigned to BAFB, the Wing commanders plane did change to another bird, so the one you know of, may be that other plane.

I was an Airman in the Corrosion Control Shop, that helped restore these plane to static condition.
The camo paint was clear coated, for better protection from the elements.
The RB-66 came to BAFB with the wings cut off, and it had to have a wing spar "home made", from what I remember.

I'll have to scan some of the snapshots I have of them.

Leon

_________________
Phormer Phantom Painter

Leon,

I passed the RF-4C at Del Valle High School yesterday. The first time by it I couldn't make out the tail number. It is painted in subdued tones. On the way back by, the sun was just right, and I could make out the big tail numbers, but not the smaller ones. The big tail number is 570. I'll try to stop by sometime and get a better look, or pictures maybe, but yesterday I couldn't stop with a load of federal prisoners.

_________________
Mike

Gee, Mike, they probably wouldn't have minded the distraction and delay in their trip !

_________________
"You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass..."
Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto

This is true!

_________________
Mike

I was the crew chief on 467 in 1985 to 1987. It had a bird strike in the late 80,s and made an emergency landing at Kelly AFB San Antonio, TX. I assisted in the repair of the damage for a one time flight to Valdosta, GA. I launched it out on its final flight. As far as I know it still resides their as my son observed it their in 2009 parked on the ramp. I and my assistant crew chief were the ones who spent many hours polishing that tailhook with finer and fines sandpaper to get the chrome look. I miss that plane.

When I left Abilene in 2004, the RB-66 was out of the display area, it was moved for some construction and not replaced. It was in some brush over near the base clinic.

About Goodfellow....
When I was PAO there in 1985-87 the base was named the Intel tech school when Lowrey closed. The Commander, Gen. "Hap" Carr, knew I was a historic airplane buff and asked me to draw up a wish list of Intel/recce types for the base. They included RF-4, RF-101, SR-71, RC-130, etc.
I did so and drafted a letter, which he signed, and sent to the USAFM...as a general he'd have some "pull".

It trurs out they've received many of the planes, including types that I'd thought they'd never get...but became available when the AF retired types.
I wonder if the NMUSAF still has the letter on file? I'd like a copy.

_________________
Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

Lago Vista Rusty Allen airport, not Lakeway Airport.

http://www.warbirdregistry.org/jetregistry/phantomregistry/phantom-641000.html

Bill.

I know better, Bill. Just got them confused !

_________________
"You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass..."
Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto

And they got a little carried away with the zeros and added an extra one.
Bill