Warbird Information Exchange

I recently passed through Salina, Kansas and spotted this Connie sitting out on the ramp near the Ratheon hangar. Does anyone know to whom it belongs? I had never seen this particular (civilian) plane before now.

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

Rob,

Just in case you have not checked the FAA database, here is what I just found:

http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry ... ertxt=1206

It indicates "sale reported" & "SOLD TO COLE G B"

and now for the rest of the story......
( I always wanted to say that! )

Current registration - N1206
Delivered to USN August 1949 as WV-1 BuN 124438
One of two WV-1's delivered to the Navy that were essentially prototypes of the later Super Constellation based WV-2's
Retired by USN and flown to Litchfield Park for storage March 1957
To CAA (predecessor to FAA) February 1958 as N7624C
To FAA June 1958 as N120
Radomes removed and converted for use as a "calibration" aircraft
Retired by FAA by August 1966 and sold to Kansas Surplus Property December 1966
To Shilling Institute, Salina, KS February 1967 for use as a technical trainer
To Air International August 1978
Restoration underway in late 1970's
Impounded at Salina for non-payment of taxes
To Gordon Cole March 1983
To Society of Vehicle Preservation August 1985 (still owned by Gordon Cole)
Restored to airworthy condition and an attempt to fly to Sherman, TX was made on November 8, 1992
Flight aborted due to engine problems and aircraft returned to Salina, KS with one engine feathered
Stored at Salina Airport
source:
http://www.conniesurvivors.com/N1206.htm

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One day I looked up and he's pushing 80...
He's got brown tobacco stains all down his chin.
To me he's one of the hero's of this country, so why is he all dressed up like them ole men....