Warbird Information Exchange

When the Airzoo flew their birds what all did they fly? I know this is a general question but I can't remember as I wasn't deep into warbirds back in the 1990's like I am now!

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"Keep 'em Flying!"

P-47, P-40, F7F, F8F, F6F, F4F, F2F off the top of me head.

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"I love the smell of racing gas in the morning"
www.timadamsphotography.com

I saw a few but I was in the Navy during the Cat flights which makes me very sad! I would have loved to see that!

Tim

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Hi Tim

What F2F did the Air Zoo fly ?? I don't recall one.

Steve

I don't remember either. All I remember is that during the Cat flight at the show every year, they talked about the hand crank gear, so I know it was an F2F.

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"I love the smell of racing gas in the morning"
www.timadamsphotography.com

Let's see...

P-40N
FM-2
F6F-5
F7F-3
F8F-1
FG-1D
P-47D
P-39Q (briefly)
SNJ-5
Stearman
PT-23
T-28
Ford 5-AT
Spitfire IX (owned by Cliff Robertson but kept at the museum)

Not all of these were airworthy at the same time. The P-40 was retired in '92, and the Airacobra was only flown for a year or two in the mid '80s. Various aircraft were also down with mechanical issues at various times. Supposedly the Tri-Motor will fly again someday, but she's been in the shop for the past five years, and last I knew was still disassembled.

Man, I miss those days..especially the Cat Flights.


SN

I believe you're thinking of the FM-2..the GM-built version of the Wildcat.




Well..here's a clip from the '93 "High On Kalamazoo" airshow (I think the top of my hat may be visible in a couple of shots.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GJ_1BYVf-o


Cheers!

Steve

Hey Steve,

Did we ever fly the F9F, or was that airplane owned/flown by someone else? I know we had the parts in our hangar for a long time after the crash. I can't think of anything else to add to your list...I think you got them all (unless we flew the Buchon at some point, but I don't think so).

John

The F9F was privately owned..the owner kept it at the Zoo for awhile when it was still flying, then donated the carcass to the museum after the crash. It stayed in a T-hangar for several years, then when after the hangars were torn down it stayed under a tarp on a flatbed behind the restoration hangar for a couple of years. I believe it was sold last year.

As for the Buchon, I was told it was restored to "airworthy" condition, but it's never been flown by the musuem. I don't think they've ever even run the engine.


SN

Yes, the F9F parts were sold at last year's auction. Don't know to who, or for how much, but we no longer have them.

John

Hi John,

I haven't been over to the Zoo in a while...any updates on the Tri-Motor?

SN

The TriMotor has been moved to Alma MI for reassembly.
The FBO has donated space & labor for the effort.
VL

Could someone explain to me why the Zoo doesn't fly it's planes anymore?

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Vlado: Thanks for the info..it's great to hear the project's moving forward. Hopefully we'll be seeing the Tin Goose back in the skies before too long.

Nathan: The warbirds were grounded at the end of the 2000 flying season, mainly due to skyrocketing insurance costs, as well as escalating mainenance costs. I was told that had the museum kept flying them, it would have gone broke within a few years and been forced to close.

SN

Vlado,

PM sent your way.

Yes, as Steve said, the Airzoo stopped flying due to insurance costs. It is very doubtful that the Airzoo will ever fly anything again, except for the Tri-Motor. The aircraft that were placed in the new museum were supposedly completely drained of all fluids and "pickled". While the airworthy aircraft in the original facility and the restoration center have not gone through that process, they haven't been flown in so long that some serious money would have to be spent to get them flying again. I just don't see the Airzoo spending that kind of money, given the other projects that have been discussed

John