Warbird Information Exchange

Any warbirds or sites in Illinois worth having a look at on my three day whirlwind tour of the State? I'll probably spend most of my time centered on the Springfield / Peoria area. I plan on making it over to Danville at least for a quick visit if I can work it out.

I remember talking to the owner of a massive armor museum in St. Louis about a decade or so ago, and he mentioned having a couple of OV-10 Bronco airframes in his possession at the time. Not sure if those might still be lurking around.

Anyway, I'm game for getting some shots of the rare stuff if there's any rare stuff there to be shot!

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Rob Mears
'Surviving Corsairs' Historian
robcmears@yahoo.com
http://www.robmears.com

Right at the airport in Springfield, there was a museum a few years back (Air Combat Museum) and the owner, IIRC was Mr. Mike George.

There are also a couple of aircraft on display at the ILANG grounds.

You MUST go to Rantoul, and visit the Octave Chanute Museum!! It is just a few miles North of Champaing-Urbana on I-57.

Peoria has listed an F-84F at the airport.

But, if you have the time for a visit (and it happens to be on a Saturday or Sunday), you should consider going to St. Louis, MO and visit the Dauster Field in Creve Coeur. You won't regret it.

Saludos,


Tulio

If you would like to visit the Air Combat Museum you can email me for my number, or it is readily available in the phone book.
Mike George

Rob,

Please email me; gpfister@pfisternh3.com

Hi Rob,
Sure would like to see you if you have a chance. Come on over!
Mike

Rob

I would concur with Tulio, if you get the chance then Creve Coeur is a must. If you can get around the Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum then you wont be disappointed

If you happen to make it up to the Northeast corner, specifically Waukegan, you can stop by and visit the Warbird Heritage Foundation. There's a nice collection of airworthy Warbirds growing there.
David
e-mail contact CSTAFFELDT@wi.rr.com

Whoa! I live in Waukegan. What in the world is the Warbird Heritage Foundation? I have never heard of it.

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

Yeah really I live in Valpo which is south of Chicago and I have never heard of this organization. What are the aircraft they have?

Pat, have you ever been to the Indiana Aviation Museum here in Valpo. They have a great collection of aircraft including an F4U-5N, P-51D, and A-37A. The museum is only one May-October Saturdays and Sundays only.

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"Keep 'em Flying!"

The Warbird Heritage Foundation has been around for a while but not really advertised. We fly most of our airplanes during the Waukegan Airshow and various others in the bordering states. We currently have the following aircraft: PT 17 Stearman, L-19 Birddog, T28, L-39, T2B Buckeye and F86 Sabre. You can e-mail me for a phone number and I'd be glad to show you the airplanes. We're also working an a website but no timetable to have it up and runnning.
David
CSTAFFELDT@wi.rr.com

Did you guys attend the Porter County Heritage air Show 2003?

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"Keep 'em Flying!"

Mike,
I can't honestly say as I just started doing maint on the planes in 2004. We know of the planes in Valpo and would love to have an A-37. That is one neat looking machine. Did the Corsair and P51 come to the Waukegan show last Sept?
David

I just did some research online and yes the Indiana Aviation Museum did attend the show last September in the Corsair and Mustang. Who owns the three or four L-39's that flew in formation at the show. I remember they were at the PCHA 2003 and at Wings of Autumn in 2002. Here is a link to a site with the picture of them http://www.flickr.com/photos/oblivion/4 ... et-931771/

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"Keep 'em Flying!"

The four L-39's are called the "Hoppers". The white L-39 is from WHF.

Thanks! Are some of them based in Minnesota? And yes, you guys did attend PCHA 2003 because I found a picture of it at a photo site about area air show's.

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"Keep 'em Flying!"