Warbird Information Exchange

Can anyone post any period photos of the following P-40M (Kittyhawk III's) and FM-2 Wildcats when in the ownership of the Oregon operators listed?

P40M, 43-5788, RCAF 832, N1228N, Leo J. Demers, Salem, OR 1955.

P-40M, 43-5795, RCAF 845, N1232N, Clyde R. Mallory, Clatskanie, OR 1956-57

P-40M, 43-5802, RCAF 840, N1233N (later adopting N1009N)
Oregon State University, 1951-1954
Bob Sturges/Columbia Airmotive, Troutdale 1954-79

Wildcats:
FM-2, BuAer 86819, N5833, Butler Aviation, Redmond 1957-58?
Ron Zerbel, Nyssa

FM-2, BuAer 86773, N1352N, Butler Aviation, Redmond
Ron Zerbal (damaged airframe) 1961
Medford Air Service, Medford 1963-1970

FM-2, BuAer 86754, N58918
Ron Zerbel, Nyssa, OR, 1963-1964.

FM-2, BuAer 86746, N6290C
Medford, OR 1952-

FM-2, BuAer 86711, N4545V or N4845V
Dale P. Newton, Medford, 1966-70

FM-2, BuAer 86564, N4629V, F.R. Davis, Beaverton, OR 1968-70

I've heard stories that Ron Zerbel in Nyssa had a couple more for awhile besides these three above. Can anyone confirm?

Here is a pair of FM-2s with Medford Air Service. My dates were estimated and would be interested in the source of your info.

http://www.ronsarchive.com/oou04/index.htm

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Ron Olsen

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There was a picture of N1233N in Oregon in a mid-80s edition of 'Warbirds International', in an article on the aircraft when it first came to Stephen Grey in the UK. My copy's in a box at the moment, I'll have a look for it as I unpack over the next few days.

Thank you Ron for the rare photos!

I should add another to the list:

FM-2, BuAer 47160, N2876D, Western Aerial Contractors, Eugene 1963-64

It seems that the subject of Wildcats just used for sprayers would make a great research project and interesting magazine article.

Where did the Wildcats that appear suddenly on the register in the 50's and 60's surplus out of? Litchfield Park, AZ? One wonders just who was it that had the vision to use FM-2s as sprayers, and bought and converted the first one?

Some, like I.N. Burchinal's 86777 (N90541) seemed to pop up out of nowhere even later. Since another early 50s FM-2 had a N9054... series registration I'm sure Burchinal's had its own ownership trail, though fairly obscure.

Interseting stuff! Still looking for a photo taken at Nyssa of Zerbel's fleet. Having walked about at the little Nyssa airport in recent times it is hard to imagine the Wildcats there.

Hello

I've gone to Tillamook a couple of years ago and this are some informations about one of these Wildcat.

N58918 is now at Tillamook air Museum.
This is a summary of her history given by the presentation panel of the museum
Accepted by the Navy 26 july 1945, stored at NAS Tillamook.
Stricken of USN inventory in 46
sold to Wolf point Montana School district in 1955
later sold to a private owner in Washington state
passed between several owner for diverse duty, mainly Ag spraying.
To the museum for restauration in 1991.

I made thanks to Ron a model of N1352N, the subject is fascinating.
I've got a question, were the wings serving as pesticide tanks, or the product was only stocked in the external tanks?

Regards and success for your researches.


Cyril

I want to thank Ron Olsen for posting the picture of Butler's PB-1W/B-17G (N5237V/Tanker 65/Tanker F 15/RAF Museum display).This is the first good photo that I've seen of it with the radome installed and the first inflight photo.We'll have to add it to Butler's archives.

Bringing a thread was back from the dead. Are there any known photos of N2876D in service with Western Aerial Contractors?

Chappie

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Brrring. Dispersal? TWO SECTIONS SCRAMBLE!!