Tyler, Tx Skyraider now on display...

[Warbirdnerd]

Historic Aviation Memorial Museum To Unveil Restored Skyraider Saturday
The Historic Aviation Memorial Museum will roll out its latest restoration project on Saturday.

The A-1 Skyraider will be unveiled during a ceremony for its members set for 10 a.m. at the mu-seum, located in the old terminal of Tyler Pounds Regional Airport, Car-olyn Verver, HAMM member, said.

HAMM members have spent months restoring the aircraft, she said.

It will go on permanent display on the tarmac outside the terminal.

Many of those who took part in the restoration project will be present during a reception in the museum lobby immediately following the unveiling, she said.

The Skyraider was a single-seat, propeller-driven attack bomber of the 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s. It was made for ground attack missions and armored against ground fire in key locations.

According to information from HAMM, the aircraft was used by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Air Force and saw service with the British Royal Navy, the French Air Force and the Air Force of the Republic of Vietnam.

During the 1950s, the Skyraider was a carrier-based fighter bomber. The Marine Corps began phasing out Skyraiders in 1956. The Navy used the Skyraider into the 1960s, according to the information.

During the Vietnam War, the aircraft was used on bombing raids.

The Skyraider was built by the Douglas Aircraft Co. at its El Segundo, Calif., plant.

Found it here:
http://www.tylerpaper.com/apps/pbcs.dll ... /909230308

[RickH]

This was one rough old Skyraider ! It's former home was down in Rio Hondo. John Mustard and his crew have done a nice job making it presentable. They are also working an H-19.

[viking73]

Nice! I am so glad to hear this bird is all finished up. When I was there last Decemeber she was getting tons of TLC in the restoration hanger. Can't wait to get back and see her finished up and looking good.

Do you know how the H-19 is coming along Rick? It was also in there last year and was in bad shape from all the corroded magnesium ...

Also, have they done anything with the basket case Cougar out back??

-Derek

[RickH]

We were there in the spring with the CF Huey, they are nice enough to allow us to keep it there in there resto hangar when we have several close dates in East Texas. The H19 was getting aluminum skin replacements where the mag was too far gone. Haven't seen it for several months, but I'm sure they are making progress. I think that that F9F is a serious backburner project, I believe the next serious attention may be going the Catalina.

[airnutz]

I wonder if they ever got the canopy open? No detail pics on their website.
www.tylerhamm.org

[jet1]

It will go on permanent display on the tarmac OUTSIDE the terminal.

too bad - at least put it indoors

[mrhenniger]

If anyone has any shots of this airframe before, during and/or after the restoration it would be great to have an upload or two for the database...

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Photo Upload - A-1 132443

TIA

MIke

[viking73]

Hi Mike,

Okay I added 4 photos for you. Two from 1987 in Harlingen, TX and then two more from Tyler, TX in December 2008. Cool to see this Spad come full circle.

Love to see a few current post restoration photos here. I need to make it out there to the museum soon to snap some myself...

-Derek

[mrhenniger]

Thanks Derek. Good job!

I am posting the links to Derek's photos below.

Mike

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Photo - A-1 132443


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Photo - A-1 132443


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Photo - A-1 132443


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Photo - A-1 132443

[cozmo]

Here it is from December, 2007



I didn't originally include it in the HAMM album because I was still figuring out a new camera and some of the pictures came out kind of grainy