Mystery Big-Face

[george]

Every year when I attended the Harlingen show, I noticed a Big-Face AD near the CAF portion of the airport, in pretty rough shape. Then at the last show before the move to Midland, it was on the CAF tarmac and looked like it had been restored, although missing its prop blades. It had a beautiful new paint job, very dark blue in USMC markings. I asked a CAF Colonel if it was nearing flight status, and he said it was not a CAF plane, that it belonged to the military academy next to the airport. I have been told that it later somehow ended up at the Texas Air Museum in Rio Hondo, Texas. Now that museum supposedly closed down a few years ago (can't help but wonder what happened to the aircraft carrier superstructures they had). I thought the Bu was 132443, but when I looked it up in the registry, the mystery deepened, as it sent me to the next AD on the list. Any information on what has become of this Big-Face, and if the above information I have on it is correct? It was a real beauty. Thanks for any help.

[george]

Sorry to bump this up, but doesn't anyone remember this AD-Skyraider from Harlingen? Anyone on the forum involved with the Texas Air Museum? Did this plane move from Harlingen to Rio Hondo, or was there another at Rio Hondo? Gary, would any CAF guys know where the plane is now? It would be good to at least know its present status.

[EDowning]

I thought I new where all the Spads were located....especially the FAT Face models. I have no idea about this one, what year would this have been again?

[george]

I think I saw it every year from in the late-70s through the last Harlingen show, which I'm pretty sure was 1990. It had various paint jobs through the years, but looked refurbished and exceptionally good in 1990. The CAF Colonel that I discussed the plane with called it a Big-Face, thats why I referred to it as such. It would be nice to know what became of it.

[airnutz]

Hi guys, looks like your bird here, by your description George..from a TAM Feb.1991 Airshow...
www.mcallen.lib.tx.us/orgs/txairm/txa02.htm

Homepage, scroll to the bottom and below the Feb 1991 Airshow is a link to a 23 Feb 2001,
where she appears in Navy colors. Contact info as well. Call TAM Stinson?
www.mcallen.lib.tx.us/orgs/txairmus.htm

Good Luck!

Last edited by airnutz on Fri Sep 28, 2007 11:53 am, edited 1 time in total.

[EDowning]

I am pretty sure that this airframe is currently on the move to the following orginization.

www.tylerhamm.org

I got a call a month ago asking some questions about moving a static AD-5 from Harligen area to Tyler to be refurbished for display.

As far as the Fat-Face comment, it was just a poorly worded attempt to clear up the nickname.

[pmahaffey]

I remember seeing this spad too. It was across from the main entrance to the airshow. I think the area it was in was used as a parking lot. I'll try to see if I have any pics of it.

Patrick

B-17G "Chuckie" pilot/mechanic