Warbird Information Exchange

I recently got to visit the awesome collection owned by Indiana business-man, Tom Wood. This is a look at the 7 out of 8 of his toys he keeps at Signature Flight support in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Enjoy...

The Hangar








The Planes...

F-86 Sabre NX86F




The "Batman" No Jokers~90 Willy 10 was I believe the group in which Mr. Wood's son Jeff trained in Vipers, he also became #8 for the Thunderbirds and an agressor at Nellis. He now drives Vipers in Terre Haute.












I declare this one to go in the "WHOOPS" category...


The Lancair N32TW, not a warbird but hang in there









The Mustang N6306T, in the process of gear well restoration.























I found this old Gunfighter sticker to the left of the pilot's seat, which I thought was kinda funny.


T-6 Texan N7055C, the '6 I got to fly alot when my dad was his chief pilot.









Beware: those who don't like cockpits non-stock, look away! One look in the cockpit reveals dang near everything was chromed or gold-plated.




Citation Excel N67TW, just three quick shots cause I know its just a bizjet. But Indianapolis to Phoenix in around 4 hours is pretty nice.






Bearcat N2209, also known as Tom's baby, nobody else flies it and he loves this plane to death! I guess because of the performance, in which I don't blame him.












You haven't been in a tiny cockpit until you've been in a bearcat. I'm about 6ft. 200 lbs and I wouldn't stay in that thing for long! O.K. yes I would but...




Bonanza N1089C, just one shot of this cause you've seen one you've seen 'em alll


And finally here are some shots around the hangar.

Ole' Reliable, except for when it won't start


Sabre wings, I have no idea what the wooden ones go to though.


R-2800 layin' around...


Merlin Power, the Merlin that was taken out of the '51 last year or '05, I don't remember.


This was after Tom's checkout in the Sabre down at Frank Strickler's place in Denton, Texas. Fox 51 sent this to Tom...


Hehehehe, I like this one...


And finally the photog gets photographed, in a Bearcat B)


Hope you enjoyed and didn't have to wait an hour for the pics.

tc

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"There are two types of people here; airshow whores and airshow prostitutes. The whores, like you and I, do airshow stuff for free, whereas the prostitutes are paid" - Reg Urschler

What a nice collection! Thanks for sharing the pics.

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P-51, The Cadillac of the Sky!

O and Scott, please use the cockpit shots for the registry if you'd like

tc

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"There are two types of people here; airshow whores and airshow prostitutes. The whores, like you and I, do airshow stuff for free, whereas the prostitutes are paid" - Reg Urschler

Very cool! Thanks for sharing. I grew up near Indy, so it's cool to see the collection.

The Corsair still wins top billing with me, but the Bearcat is a very pretty plane too, I like it very much. Nice pictures, thank you for sharing!

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"It is the greatest shot of adrenaline to be doing what you have wanted to do so badly. You almost feel like you could fly without the plane." Charles Lindbergh

What a nice collection. Curious what does Tom Wood do for a living does he have an air charter business?

Hes been a car dealer since sometime in the 60's. He's got about 13 dealerships now.

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"There are two types of people here; airshow whores and airshow prostitutes. The whores, like you and I, do airshow stuff for free, whereas the prostitutes are paid" - Reg Urschler

Hi Trey,

nice pics. Hope you drove Wayne nuts taking them!

Glenn

ps kick your ole' man in the butt for me! but do it with a smile.

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"Remember....it's always better to overshoot and have people think you can't land than to crash and prove it!"

Not that it really matters, but those wooden wings look like they're the top wing off of a Pitts S-1C.

Thanks for posting the pictures. Been around Tom at a few airshows. He's a pretty nice fella.

Gary

Hey Glenn,

I was at the "office" all day Wayne was working on recovering the right flap on the Bearcat with another guy, so he wasn't with the planes much. I will whoop up on my dad tonight, count on it

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"There are two types of people here; airshow whores and airshow prostitutes. The whores, like you and I, do airshow stuff for free, whereas the prostitutes are paid" - Reg Urschler

I'd be afraid to work in that hangar for fear of getting the floor dirty!

Beautiful a/c, great photos......thanks!

Wicked shots Trey!

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Olivier Lacombe -- Harvard Mk.4 C-GBQB

Tom is not only one of the nicest warbird guys on the planet but he is also an incredible formation pilot. A couple of years ago we left together in our Mustangs. He was stuck like glue on my right wing.
I think he is the current record holder for longest owner of a Mustang maybe 40 years not sure.
My goal is to beat that record at 18 so far.

THat is my dream hangar. I love the F-86.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

the stuff is in pristine condition. wicked shot of the sabre gun port!!!

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tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!