Warbird Information Exchange

I found that the local Air National Guard or reserve unit has an AH-1 on display out side of the gate. I’ve been meaning to get a few pictures of it for the registry but until today I have not had my camera. So I stop at the front gate and talk to the man with the M-16, I figure it might go over better to ask the man with the gun before I annoy him or make him feel unsafe with my huge dangerous Canon. I ask to get a few shot of the Cobra, which I was told “no, I can’t do that”. So I left with out a fuss.

I know it is easier to ask forgiveness that permission, but I decided not to take that route (remember he had a Weapon). Anyone have ideas or recommendations on how I can get a few shots and get close enough to it to get the ID on the airframe? I can take some pictures in passing but I do what to get some “good” shots and the ID.

Tim

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www.tailhookstudio.com

I have had very good success with contacting the base Public Affairs office, well in advance, and asking for their assistance to "take a few photo's for my collection. Generally you can find a link on the Base's website.

The PA offices have been invariably "nice" and have accomodated my requests when they can. I have only asked for their assistance to get pictures just inside or adjacent to the gate and have not asked to go inside the AFB any great distance.

Sunday morning I shot the B29 "Great Artiste" at Whiteman AFB & yesterday afternoon I shot the B17F "Homesick Angel" at Offutt AFB. I started making those contacts about 3 weeks ago.

{Don't ask me to post pictures - can't do that soon with the equipment I have on the road and won't get back home until 2nd week of August. }

The way I see it:

1. We paid for it and it's not a secret weapon.

2. It IS on public display.

3. He probably did not have any bullets in the gun.

Key word here is "probably" !

I should have underlined it.

Although, I am sure that he did have bullets on him somewhere.

I usually don't have any problems taking outside gate guard pictures. The inside ones are the questionable ones. Just don't pictures inside Whiteman and don't ask how I know.

There is a nice display of a F-14, F-18, AD-1 Skyrader,Ad-4 Skyhawk and and AV-8 Harrier; outside of the Aviation Supply Office on Oxford Avenue in the northeast section of Philadelphia. You used to be able to drive and walk down the side street (Robbins Ave) that they are on. The Navy has gated off the street and there is a police officer stationed at the gate to it now.

If it's outside the gate and on display, take the photos. If they have a problem, they'll come over and ask you not to take any more photos. I doubt he'll shoot first and ask questions later.

Remember, gate guard or planes on a stick are always welcome for the Registry, but don't get shot for it!

It's always better to get shot but a jealous husband than by a 19 old gate guard.

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Scott Rose
Editor-In-Chief/Webmaster
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Last week I was taking some gate guard pics at Springfield ANG, and two of "the men with guns" came over and yelled at me. Then they were nice and said that I should go to the other side of the road where they "wern't allowed to comment on me"

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When all is said and done more is said than done.

I had great success at Dobbins AFB (I got lost trying to find Robbins AFB that I did find later) by asking the gate guard (the planes were inside and next to the fence) prior to 9-11. He just told my not to go around the chappel (active flightline only finger tips away.......) I recall that they were mainly Korean War jets.

At the Milwakee ANG base, a guard with a BIG GUN (well it seemed like a big gun) was sent by the base commander to chase me away from taking a picture thru the open gate at their T-33 on a pole in front of his headquarters building. Man, I tell ya.......... and this was about 1987 and I was standing on a PUBLIC SIDEWALK. I had to go back later as I found that I had dropped my lense cap there.

I was still so miffed the next day that I didn't stop at a roadside display somewere up there. Now I wish that I had

.

There used to be a Boy Scout Camp at Patterson AFB that you had to drive right past the SAC B-52s. I heard that they closed the camp down. I remember seeing a B-25 parked among the B-52s, I think with the same codes on it as the B52s. One of the guards that later came to put on a guard dog demonstration thought that the B-25 belonged to the group CO. Unfortunately, I diidn't take a picture of it as there was a guard post with a very visible gun sticking out tracking my car as we went by.

TTFN...Kenn

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May all your bent wings be F2G Corsairs!

I guess I do a drive by on it and have my driver go extra slow while I snap a few shots.

TIm

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www.tailhookstudio.com

geez i didn't know this was an issue. I "found" an F-102 in my back yard. It is guarding Ft. Indiantown Gap in Annville, PA. I have been meaning to go snap some pics for the registry and get the serial, but I suppose I should proceed with caution. pssh Government

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Jeff

I did not think it should be a problem either. I asked because it was so close to the gate and there was really no where to park. I was surprised that there was a problem, I figure asking would prevent problems. I bet if I asked a different guard I'd get a differetn response.

Tim

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www.tailhookstudio.com

The Fort Indiantown Gap facility is a State run base. I beleive the plane in question is next to one of the roads that have full public access. Its been a few years since I was there, but I do remember seeiing it too.