Mon Jun 25, 2007 11:20 pm
The guy who invited us to volunteer for work on that B-25, had a moustache, and definitely spoke not only English, but perfect Spanish. He was at the time, sitting on the (R) hand seat and talked to me through the open window while I was looking at the unbuttoned engine on the B-25.
It has been what? At least 15 years or so, and that's as much as I remember. The B-25 was located on the North side of the airfield, next door to the FBO that you see as soon as you enter the airport.
Saludos,
Tulio
It has been what? At least 15 years or so, and that's as much as I remember. The B-25 was located on the North side of the airfield, next door to the FBO that you see as soon as you enter the airport.
Saludos,
Tulio
Tue Jun 26, 2007 7:25 am
Tulio, we did have it over by the FBO for a while, Maybe you are thinking about Tommy Garcia, though I've never seen him with a mustache ? Tommy was the original sparkplug who got the Collings A-26 down here. When it went down in Kankakee we were able to get Stow to let us bring the B-25 down since no one was doing anything with it in Beaver falls. Come to think of it Sandy had a big mustache and I believe speaks perfect Spanish.
Yes, it's been a while and a lot has happened since those days. Hoosier Honey is now Tondelayo. She's out flying on the Wings of Freedom Tour with the 17 and 24. We've moved the whole organization over to Ellington. Back then their were four or five of us regulars working one aircraft. Now there are about 30 and we are busy with the F-4, TA-4, T-33, S-2, and UH-1. We've started working with the Boy Scouts on an Aviation Merit Badge day camp program.
Give me a heads up and you are welcome to come out anytime.
Yes, it's been a while and a lot has happened since those days. Hoosier Honey is now Tondelayo. She's out flying on the Wings of Freedom Tour with the 17 and 24. We've moved the whole organization over to Ellington. Back then their were four or five of us regulars working one aircraft. Now there are about 30 and we are busy with the F-4, TA-4, T-33, S-2, and UH-1. We've started working with the Boy Scouts on an Aviation Merit Badge day camp program.
Give me a heads up and you are welcome to come out anytime.
Tue Jun 26, 2007 7:44 am
Yup, that is him. I worked with him and a crew of really great guys. I helped them with everything I could. It was great to see it come to life as it had sat there for years. To the best of my knowledge Air heritage had nothing to do with it. As a matter in fact, we had to ask the Airport if it would be O.K. to tow the B-25 from west ramp where it was parked over to our building, so that we could at least have it near the museum. Same with the Neptune that was there. There was also a mechanic named Randy with Ernesto. Really great people.
Tue Jun 26, 2007 8:43 am
Everybody needs to make a note. This is how a thread is profesionally hijacked. 
However the T-28 Nathan originally posted about is behind Ernesto Morales house and he originally had 3 outside and one in his hangar. I believe that the one in the picture was the one that Ernesto had in the hangar and always said was going to be his personal aircraft. I guess the plans fell through.
However the T-28 Nathan originally posted about is behind Ernesto Morales house and he originally had 3 outside and one in his hangar. I believe that the one in the picture was the one that Ernesto had in the hangar and always said was going to be his personal aircraft. I guess the plans fell through.
Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:04 am
Rick,
Thank you for the data and for the invite.
It is evident that it was not Ernesto. That day, I had no film left in my camera, and thus I did not shoot pictures of the B-25.
When asked to volunteer, I had to decline because at the time, I did not have a car and Arcola was -and is- quite a distance from home. so assuming an obligation and knowing that I would be unable to keep my word, was impossible for me to do.
I will make plans to go see you guys at Ellington, one of these days when I finally make it back home to Texas.
Do you recall the overall gray USAF marked T-28? I believe that I have photos of it inside Ernesto's hangar, and also have photos of the white/orange T-28B when he was working on the restoration.
This was at the time when Ernesto and his son were doing a great restoration on a Ford Mustang and a couple of old / classic motorcycles.
Saludos,
Tulio
Thank you for the data and for the invite.
It is evident that it was not Ernesto. That day, I had no film left in my camera, and thus I did not shoot pictures of the B-25.
When asked to volunteer, I had to decline because at the time, I did not have a car and Arcola was -and is- quite a distance from home. so assuming an obligation and knowing that I would be unable to keep my word, was impossible for me to do.
I will make plans to go see you guys at Ellington, one of these days when I finally make it back home to Texas.
Do you recall the overall gray USAF marked T-28? I believe that I have photos of it inside Ernesto's hangar, and also have photos of the white/orange T-28B when he was working on the restoration.
This was at the time when Ernesto and his son were doing a great restoration on a Ford Mustang and a couple of old / classic motorcycles.
Saludos,
Tulio
Tue Jun 26, 2007 6:36 pm
His son ? Last time I saw Ernesto his son was a lilltle guy. But...they do grow up. I know that he would do maintenance for other folks on their aircraft and I believe some would fly them in. Maybe that was one of the grey ones. But, now that I think on it I believe one of the unrestored airframes was delivered in the grey.
Wed Jun 27, 2007 3:35 am
His son must be attending medical school by now; nice kid, very polite and hard worker.
The USAF marked T-28, was moved from Pearland to Arcola; when I first saw it in 1999, it was sitting -wingless- on a trailer inside the hangar. Years later, a good friend of mine got to fly on it with Ernesto.
Saludos,
Tulio
The USAF marked T-28, was moved from Pearland to Arcola; when I first saw it in 1999, it was sitting -wingless- on a trailer inside the hangar. Years later, a good friend of mine got to fly on it with Ernesto.
Saludos,
Tulio