Tuskegee Field pics?

[Ken]

I didn't intend to get the two fields mixed up as it seems I have.

Never thought you did! Thought maybe the the casual reader may have overlooked that we were discussing 2 different fields. Cool pix!

[Second Air Force]

Never thought you did! Thought maybe the the casual reader may have overlooked that we were discussing 2 different fields. Cool pix!

Right, Ken. That's why I put the little explanation on there. I didn't want to send the casual reader in the wrong direction. Thanks for that picture of the Troy hangar--we were planning to run down there to shoot some images but have to head west early tomorrow morning.

Those double hangars were very often used at Primary and Civilian Training Detachment airfields. We have a sprinkling of them up in the Midwest, including at the old Hicks Field near Fort Worth and at Chickasha, Oklahoma. It's fortunate that they are of steel construction. The bomber hangars in Kansas that are being torn down are/were wooden.

Scott

[gary1954]

Anyone know what 'field' they are using for the filming of the Redtails movie?

Am still looking for the Location on the movie coming out in 010

Red Tail Reborn (2007)
Filming Locations:Billings, Montana, USA
Source: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0795451/

Amidst the racial nay Sayers during WWII, the first African-American fighter pilots were commissioned in 1941 to help defend the distressed bombers in the European theater. Under the watch of these pilots, few to no bombers were lost to enemy fighters. These forgotten pilots are known as the Tuskegee Airmen. The ambition to make these heroes a household name is the primary objective of The Red tail Project, a group of men and women who honored the Airmen by touring air shows with a restored P-51C Mustang, the famous roaring fighter plane these men flew in combat. Like the men they tribute, the Red tail Project encountered adversity when their flying homage to the Airmen, the Mustang, crashed in 2004, killing pilot Don Hinz, who was also the project leader. "Red Tail Reborn," narrated by Michael Dorn, is a tale of inspiration. Historic interviews, unprecedented access, and emotional honesty bring to light the tale of the Airmen, and of those who honor them. The Tuskegee Airmen showed the world what hope, determination and hard work could do. Find out how these lessons are applied to a project recovering from a lost aircraft and lost friend. Written by Adam White

The P-51 Mustang fighter plane featured in the film served most of its life as a decoration on the lawn of Montana State University. In the late 1940's, a few drunken Air Force personnel climbed in the aircraft on night, started it up, and taxied her around the campus. The aircraft was secured to the ground with steel and concrete after that.

Anthony Hemingway To Direct George Lucas’ Red Tails
Source: http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/10/01/ant ... red-tails/

Scripted by John Ridley, the story follows the true events surrounding the first African Americans to become US military pilots in WWII. At first harassed on Racial grounds, the Tuskegee Airmen went on to become heavily in-demand, and were collectively awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. LucasFilm is financing the project for a reported $30-$35 million. Production will begin early next year in Prague, Italy, Croatia and England.

[the330thbg]

Great, thanks for the info!

Boy Montana looks like Alabama to me!?!

[the330thbg]

People wonder why we get wrapped up in the buildings and airfields sometimes. I've been told that only the people and airplanes matter, but being able to talk about, research, and visit places like Moton, Tuskegee AAF, Maxwell, and all the other WWII training sites around the country give me a feeling of being at places where history was made.

There are plenty of folks I've met that have quite an interest in WW2 Cal-Aero Field, AKA Chino Airport.

The airfield was featured in Abbott & Costello's "Keep 'Em Flying" when it was in full swing as a training base and again in "The Best Years of Our Lives" in 1946 when it was used as a reclamation center to scrap out thousands of aircraft.

Some of the original buildings still exist although many have been torn down since I started hanging out there in about 1981.

I love these photos- keep 'em coming!

My father actually trained at Cal-Aero while they were filming Keep-em flying.., I have dozens and dozens of photos of the filming and overall life at Cal-Aero if anyone is interested.

[bdk]

I'm interested and I'm sure that Planes of Fame would be too!

[the330thbg]

Cool, will crank up the scanner this weekend.

Lots of BT-13, T-6 and Stearman pics.., plus lots of crosscountry shots to Miss and Alabam

[gary1954]

Hmmmm let me think about it a minute or two............
.......Well, Like No One in their Wrong mind would say
"no man....we don't wannna see your old pictures"....
OF COURSE WE DO!!!!!!!

[gary1954]

Cool, will crank up the scanner this weekend.

Lots of BT-13, T-6 and Stearman pics.., plus lots of crosscountry shots to Miss and Alabam

We be still waiting on the picture

[Ken]

So, I pass by there all the time but today I finally had time to stop.

The Park Ranger mentioned that they are in the process of obtaining a Mustang. I asked, "Real or fiberglass replica?" and he said, "Real, but for static only." Says they used a broker to piece together the Stearman and obtain a Cub ... and that they were using the broker to obtain a P-51. That was all he knew.

Anyone have any inside info on the US Parks Service obtaining a Mustang?

[Holedigger]

Patiently waiting for the films release!

Last edited by Holedigger on Mon Mar 15, 2010 11:37 am, edited 3 times in total.

[Second Air Force]

Ken,

I had heard a rumor that they wanted a real P-51 some time ago also. It was just a mention of the possibility, but the Park Ranger's comments sort of give the rumor some credibility.

Scott

[Ken]

One other point. The National Parks Service temporary visitor center is essentially a trailer that I assume will be removed once the hangar space is completed. That said, they had some nice displays and a well-done gift shop area. What struck me was that, other than a small brochure, there was no mention of TAAF at the display - this would lead the casual observer to think that Moton was the-one-and-only site, when TAAF was quite a bit larger.

Also, I saw nothing on display (or for sale) with either Kermit's or the CAF Red Tail on it. I'm not mandating that they need to be represented/presented by the NPS, but when you have these two organizations who are spending a tremendous amount of time/effort/money to share and honor the exploits of the Airmen, one would assume that there would be a natural partnership to benefit both the flying airplanes, the NPS, and educate the public all at the same time. Maybe this is an opportunity that can be pursued?