Warbird Information Exchange

I visited Pensacola today and oh what a difference a year makes!
I want to say hats off to the folks down there for doing some good work with limited resources.
<Rant on>I still think the policy on aircraft wreck recovery is RIDICULOUS! <rant off>
I apologize for the quality of the pics, they were taken from the back of a moving vehicle- golf cart (2006) tram (2007)
Scott feel free to use them for the registry if you want to…

Examples of the repairs they have sponsored.
U-1 Otter Bu144672
2006

2007

PB4Y Privateer Bu66304
2006

2007



R4D-5L “Que Sera Sera”
2006

2007

A few more
P2V-1 Neptune “Truclent Turtle” on loan from NASM
2006

2007

The SPAD
2006

2007 (Looks next inline for an aerosol overhaul...)

This chunk of Barracuda is now gone

Owen, or anyone else, know what happened to it? Maybe it is on it’s way to Austin Acres
I have more loads more pics if there is something in particular someone wants to see…

On a very sad note all of the Blue Angles were on the field today. Three FA-18s (from other units) participated in the flyover for Blue Angel #6 Lieutenant Commander Kevin Davis’ funeral today…

Wow..they've been busy! I was there in August of '05, and they it looks like it was about the same last year..it's amazing that they've accomplished so much in such a short time.

Sounds like you were there on a sad occasion, but it's good to hear Lt. Cdr. Davis got an appropriate sendoff.


SN

the spad is in great shape!!! looks ready to fly.

_________________
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!!

Looks like they metalized the rudder on the Privateer. It'd be nice if she got a new coat of paint, but I suppose it's kind of pointless as long as she's exposed to the elements.

Does the museum have any expansion plans? Looks like they've got as many aircraft outdoors as they do inside.


SN

I was there last fall and one of the topics on the driving tour (that's how you see the outdoor displays) was a building addition which (IIRC) is already funded.

I don't remember how much of the outdoor collection was supposed to fit in the addition.

I think they neet to unscramble the signs in front of the airplanes!

_________________
"Hindsight is usually 20% off!"

The Privateer wouldn't have lost the engine if the guys tieing her down had just looked at the manual. I don't think it says to throw a chain around an engine in the event of heavy weather. That being said glad they've fixed her up.

Did they get a new nose on the JD-1 ?

They are a great museum, and great people work there as well. They come up to the NMUSAF once in a while as a group for a tour. It will be great when they get the other building up.

_________________
Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director

The JD-1 was not on display. I didn't make it to the restoration area, but I'll see if I can find out.

Here is a photo of the A-26 marked as a JD-1 in the restoration shop on 4--12-2007. Aircraft is A-26B, 41-39215 Ex N142ER.

John, have you got any recent shots of the F4U-7
from Battleship Park??

Awesome pics Bryan...I especially love the shots of that Privateer!

John

Owen and whoever else may be interested. On my last visit on 4-12-2007 I didn't see the complete aircraft but only parts. Here are a few shots of what I saw of the F4U-7 133704

Thanks for the terrific pictures Bryan.A couple of minor comments.I'm sure that its a typo,but I think that the Otter designation should be U-1B.It also looks like they left the R-2600's on the 4Y.At least they took the oil coolers off that hung under the engines on the airtankers.I would guess that there aren't a lot of R-1830-94's and the original mounts laying around,even at Gary's place.