Yanks Air Museum Report
Sat Feb 05, 2005 2:11 pm
If it wasn't for the high housing costs, waiting for the big one (eathquakes), and that Catherine and I both have good jobs, I would seriously consider moving to California. We have enjoyed our time here.
It has been a nice trip, and I found some time to get on the net today, so I thought I would write a report about my visit to Yanks last Thursday. As soon as I walked in the door (with my camera case and tripod) I was asked what the purpose of my photography would be. "Here we go again!" I was thinking. After assuring them the pictures would be for my own use, I was allowed to pay my admission. The gentleman behind the counter did explain that the if the pictures were to be published for profit that the museum would like a cut (I am paraphrasing here). I guess I can understand that since they go through much effort and expense to restore the aircraft.
Anyway... The main hanger is their display hanger. Inside were a number of classic aircraft on display including a Curtiss Robin and an N3N on floats! There were also a number of pristine aircraft displayed including a Canadair built Sabre in USAF markings, a F6F, P-47, Bell 47, Curtiss Owl, P-51A, P-51D, P-63, P-39 and a 40. I have not seen any of these airframes at airshows before, so I had a great time.
After leaving the main hanger I asked where to go to view airframes in the restoration hanger. I was directed though a door in another building and I laid my eyes one the first TBF Avenger I have ever seen before. Restoration does not appear to have started, but this should be a special airframe once done. I was also able to photograph an F4U-4 which is being restored, and just across the isle a Helldiver that is waiting for some attention. There was also the T-50 Bobcat, the B-25, P-38 (with a photo recon nose) and a Lockheed twin which appeared to be an Electra.
After leaving the restoration hanger I returned to the main desk to ask directions to get into the fenced in area surrounding the restoration hanger which holds a number of airframes/hulks awaiting attention. I was directed back into the restoration hanger where a staff member took me though the machine shop to a door to the outside. If you are at Yanks don't be afraid to ask about this outside area. Outside there were a number of airframes to point my lens at. The first one was a F-14, which appeared to be completely intact, although the engines may have been removed (I didn't check). I also noted two other F-14s on the other side of the restoration hanger which were not so complete, and the disassembled remains of a fourth. I also photographed an H-62, T-37, F-102, C-46, C-47, A-6, C-2, and a F-105. There were also a few other Sikorskys near-by, and the hulk/wreck of a Hawker Hunter. The Hunter was blue/purple. Anyone know anything about this airframe? There was also an A-4 Skyhawk in a rather tattered condition as well (not the one on display out front along with the T-38).
My visit to Yanks was a typical visit for me, get in, photograph every airframe and get out. There wasn't the interaction with docents that made other recent museum visits interesting, but access to the storage yard around the hanger was a bonus since I like to get my "before" shots to go with "after" shots sometime in the future after they have received some TLC. If you are going to be in the area I would suggest you visit the Yanks museum, however if you have only time for one visit and like interaction with docents, perhaps something like the PSAM or March Field would be more to your liking. If you like viewing the unrestored airframes before restoration than Yanks is the place for you.
I am returning home tomorrow, and will get my film into the photolab on Monday. I may have pictures ready by the end of next week. I should get a change to check replies on my other reports on Monday.
Regards,
Mike
P.S. Thanks for the tour of your Harvard BDK! Catherine and I enjoyed meeting you!
It has been a nice trip, and I found some time to get on the net today, so I thought I would write a report about my visit to Yanks last Thursday. As soon as I walked in the door (with my camera case and tripod) I was asked what the purpose of my photography would be. "Here we go again!" I was thinking. After assuring them the pictures would be for my own use, I was allowed to pay my admission. The gentleman behind the counter did explain that the if the pictures were to be published for profit that the museum would like a cut (I am paraphrasing here). I guess I can understand that since they go through much effort and expense to restore the aircraft.
Anyway... The main hanger is their display hanger. Inside were a number of classic aircraft on display including a Curtiss Robin and an N3N on floats! There were also a number of pristine aircraft displayed including a Canadair built Sabre in USAF markings, a F6F, P-47, Bell 47, Curtiss Owl, P-51A, P-51D, P-63, P-39 and a 40. I have not seen any of these airframes at airshows before, so I had a great time.
After leaving the main hanger I asked where to go to view airframes in the restoration hanger. I was directed though a door in another building and I laid my eyes one the first TBF Avenger I have ever seen before. Restoration does not appear to have started, but this should be a special airframe once done. I was also able to photograph an F4U-4 which is being restored, and just across the isle a Helldiver that is waiting for some attention. There was also the T-50 Bobcat, the B-25, P-38 (with a photo recon nose) and a Lockheed twin which appeared to be an Electra.
After leaving the restoration hanger I returned to the main desk to ask directions to get into the fenced in area surrounding the restoration hanger which holds a number of airframes/hulks awaiting attention. I was directed back into the restoration hanger where a staff member took me though the machine shop to a door to the outside. If you are at Yanks don't be afraid to ask about this outside area. Outside there were a number of airframes to point my lens at. The first one was a F-14, which appeared to be completely intact, although the engines may have been removed (I didn't check). I also noted two other F-14s on the other side of the restoration hanger which were not so complete, and the disassembled remains of a fourth. I also photographed an H-62, T-37, F-102, C-46, C-47, A-6, C-2, and a F-105. There were also a few other Sikorskys near-by, and the hulk/wreck of a Hawker Hunter. The Hunter was blue/purple. Anyone know anything about this airframe? There was also an A-4 Skyhawk in a rather tattered condition as well (not the one on display out front along with the T-38).
My visit to Yanks was a typical visit for me, get in, photograph every airframe and get out. There wasn't the interaction with docents that made other recent museum visits interesting, but access to the storage yard around the hanger was a bonus since I like to get my "before" shots to go with "after" shots sometime in the future after they have received some TLC. If you are going to be in the area I would suggest you visit the Yanks museum, however if you have only time for one visit and like interaction with docents, perhaps something like the PSAM or March Field would be more to your liking. If you like viewing the unrestored airframes before restoration than Yanks is the place for you.
I am returning home tomorrow, and will get my film into the photolab on Monday. I may have pictures ready by the end of next week. I should get a change to check replies on my other reports on Monday.
Regards,
Mike
P.S. Thanks for the tour of your Harvard BDK! Catherine and I enjoyed meeting you!
Sat Feb 05, 2005 6:35 pm
Hi Mike,
Sounds rather like it was when I was there in June 2002. I'd agree with all your comments, though I'd add there's a few a/c you'll see there you can't see anywhere else - the 'O bird' and N3N on floats for instance (how many waterbirds that aren't amphibians do we get to see?) so any limitations on photography and attendants are minor. Incidentally, if you get chatting to the right folks, you might get a detailled tour of the a/c from someone who really knows them. Incidentally, there was the ex Aussie B-25 Mitchel (ex-VH-XXV IIRC) undergoing restoration by a couple of closely related Brits, in 2002.
A couple of questions... Did you see the Sikorski R-4 Hoverfly frame? What state was the Lockheed 10 in (It's actually an L-40, the military version, IIRC).
And a general question: - anyone seen any of these a/c fly?
Thanks Mike,
Cheers
Sounds rather like it was when I was there in June 2002. I'd agree with all your comments, though I'd add there's a few a/c you'll see there you can't see anywhere else - the 'O bird' and N3N on floats for instance (how many waterbirds that aren't amphibians do we get to see?) so any limitations on photography and attendants are minor. Incidentally, if you get chatting to the right folks, you might get a detailled tour of the a/c from someone who really knows them. Incidentally, there was the ex Aussie B-25 Mitchel (ex-VH-XXV IIRC) undergoing restoration by a couple of closely related Brits, in 2002.
A couple of questions... Did you see the Sikorski R-4 Hoverfly frame? What state was the Lockheed 10 in (It's actually an L-40, the military version, IIRC).
And a general question: - anyone seen any of these a/c fly?
Thanks Mike,
Cheers
Sat Feb 05, 2005 6:41 pm
The Lockheed is due to make its first flight any day now.JDK wrote:What state was the Lockheed 10 in (It's actually an L-40, the military version, IIRC).
And a general question: - anyone seen any of these a/c fly?
They were planning to fly their F-86 today, as well as the Staggerwing and something else (I forgot what #3 was).
Sat Feb 05, 2005 8:16 pm
JDK wrote:Did you see the Sikorski R-4 Hoverfly frame?
I may have. There were a number of airframes that were just skeltons, the R-4 may have been one of them. As for the B-25, it is in the restoration hanger, but did not appear to be receiving any attention.
Regards,
Mike
Sat Feb 05, 2005 8:21 pm
There were a number of airframes that were just skeltons
That's the test that sort the men from the boys.
Anyone can ID a complete airframe, but it's the bitsers and frames that make for fun.
Talking of which, did you ~ah~ 'catch the Pigeon'? Heh...
Sat Feb 05, 2005 8:33 pm
JDK wrote:That's the test that sort the men from the boys.
You are quite right. I also not a number of airframes in outside storage, just north of the main building. They were not accessable, so I am crossing my fingers that my pics taken by holding the camera over the fence turn out. They may provide for some fun ID games.
Mike
Yanks' P-47
Sun Feb 06, 2005 1:30 am
Is the YP-47M flyable yet? I was hoping it would be the first of Earl Reinert's aircraft to fly again.
Mon Feb 07, 2005 10:27 am
bdk wrote:They were planning to fly their F-86 today.
What F-86 does Yanks have?
Jim
Re: Yanks' P-47
Mon Feb 07, 2005 12:48 pm
Chris Brame wrote:Is the YP-47M flyable yet? I was hoping it would be the first of Earl Reinert's aircraft to fly again.
It looked to be intact, except the propeller assembly was missing. I didn't ask about flight status details. Pics will follow, later this week.
Mike
Re: Yanks' P-47
Mon Feb 07, 2005 1:47 pm
It was restored as flyable but unflown, as was Yanks' D-model.Chris Brame wrote:Is the YP-47M flyable yet? I was hoping it would be the first of Earl Reinert's aircraft to fly again.
Re: Yanks' P-47
Mon Feb 07, 2005 2:00 pm
bdk wrote:It was restored as flyable but unflown, as was Yanks' D-model.Chris Brame wrote:Is the YP-47M flyable yet? I was hoping it would be the first of Earl Reinert's aircraft to fly again.
Hmmmm... So where is the D-model? I assume it was the YP-47M that I saw.
Mike
Mon Feb 07, 2005 2:29 pm
http://162.58.35.241/acdatabase/nnumsql.asp?NNumbertxt=3842HAirJimL2 wrote:What F-86 does Yanks have?
Yanks
Mon Feb 07, 2005 4:02 pm
I assume you ment Lockheed 12, JDK? BDK sent me one picture of it I posted on my Lockheed page. Mike... if you did get a picture of the Lockheed I look forward to seeing a more current picture.
I'll post a picture of one of Yanks 47s later today... not sure which one it was but it was in a side hangar covered in dust and not on display in the main hangar.
Was fun to visit that storage hangar. A friend of mine took me over there during the 2003 airshow and introduced me to Mr. Nichols. He invited us in to eat lunch and watch the show. One of Mr. Nichols friends took me around the hangar looking under tarps at some other rare aircraft in storage!
I'll post a picture of one of Yanks 47s later today... not sure which one it was but it was in a side hangar covered in dust and not on display in the main hangar.
Was fun to visit that storage hangar. A friend of mine took me over there during the 2003 airshow and introduced me to Mr. Nichols. He invited us in to eat lunch and watch the show. One of Mr. Nichols friends took me around the hangar looking under tarps at some other rare aircraft in storage!
Re: Yanks' P-47
Mon Feb 07, 2005 4:04 pm
Charles Nichols owns the hangar that Square 1 Aviation was in. One of the P-47's has been in there for a while- no point them displaying two aircraft that most folks couldn't tell the difference between, especially if that means you get to see the P-39 instead for instance.mrhenniger wrote:Hmmmm... So where is the D-model? I assume it was the YP-47M that I saw.
Mon Feb 07, 2005 10:28 pm
You mean they actually fly stuff these days...bdk wrote:They were planning to fly their F-86 today, as well as the Staggerwing and something else (I forgot what #3 was).
T J