Hycon Aerial Surveyor's F-5s

[T J Johansen]

I would like to have one thing clarified. In post #1 it is stated:

in the background of one of the photos 44-53180 is clearly visible

meaning the blue 38. However, in post #7 it is stated:

Interestingly enough, although given the time perhaps not that rare, a Connie also appears on the photo of 53180

I can only find one photo of a Connie, and that is in a photo of N5596V, not 44-53180. Are we talking a typo, or is N5596V described in the photo as 53180? This leads me to wonder, how sure are we that the blue Lightning is 44-53180 N69902? I have just been looking through "P-Screamers" and note that Hycon flew their 38s to Las Vegas in 1959-60 and stored them there. I will venture a guess and ask if there is possible that the photo is shot in Vegas after the 38 went derelict (look at its condition) around 60-62, and that the blue a/c is actually 44-53015 N9957F. As an alternative, the plane in the background is the third blue Hycon 38, N91300 as both that a/c and N5596V was owned by the same guy, Don May at the time.
I felt that I had seen photos of the Connie before, and will submit for your scrutiny this link to L-049 N9412H. Check out the photo from 1962 in Air Burundi colors, they look rather like the colors from the P-38 photo. http://www.conniesurvivors.com/N9412H.htm And N9412H was owned between 59-64 by Las Vegas Hacienda Inc., a US indirect carrier operating to Las Vegas on behalf of the Dunes Hotel.
So, to sum it all up I don't think the photos are shot in the 50s. Hycon flew their Lightnings until retiring them in Dec. 59, then storing the flock in Las Vegas. N5596V is definately derelict in the photos, leading substance to a photo from the early 60s. 44-53180 was destroyed by this date so the blue a/c is either N9957F or N91300. N9957F was sold to Tallmantz in 1962, and N91300 was destroyed in a fatal crash around 1962 or 63. Possibly killing owner Don May. Add to that the Connie which operated from Las Vegas between 59 to 62 and I think you might just have your location and timeframe.

Any further information confirming or proving me wrong would be great.

T J

[hercules130]

T J

First off you are correct about the typo/poorly written message, the Connie is not in the same photo as 53180, just in the same series of shots.

I looked at some photographs of MacCarran (been years since I have been, the C-124 Restaurant was still intact) and I believe you are probably correct about the location. If the location is in fact the Vegas airport and the machines were not stored there until the early 60s you will also be correct that the machine cannot be 53180 as it was destroyed 23 Aug 57.

Honestly I had no idea that Hycon had more than one F-5G marked similar to 53180 until you and another member let me know. Another point to consider is that 53180 has an American flag on the nose, while the machine in photograph does not.

I can not speak to the Connie, can not see enough to convince me either way, I have no reason to doubt your assessment that it is the same aircraft.

Thanks for the help and setting me straight. Great work my friend.

Gary

[BCalmes]

Thanks for the heads-up on P-Screamers. I ordered a copy tonight.

Bill

[T J Johansen]

T J

First off you are correct about the typo/poorly written message, the Connie is not in the same photo as 53180, just in the same series of shots.

I looked at some photographs of MacCarran (been years since I have been, the C-124 Restaurant was still intact) and I believe you are probably correct about the location. If the location is in fact the Vegas airport and the machines were not stored there until the early 60s you will also be correct that the machine cannot be 53180 as it was destroyed 23 Aug 57.

Honestly I had no idea that Hycon had more than one F-5G marked similar to 53180 until you and another member let me know. Another point to consider is that 53180 has an American flag on the nose, while the machine in photograph does not.

I can not speak to the Connie, can not see enough to convince me either way, I have no reason to doubt your assessment that it is the same aircraft.

Thanks for the help and setting me straight. Great work my friend.

Gary

Hi Gary.

If you look carefully in the photo in Dan Johnson's post (#3) http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... ight=hycon you will see that the Hycon P-38s didn't have the flag on the nose, but rather on the tail. The stripes on the nose are apparently some kind of trim. I do note the differance in that N9957F has several small flags on the nose while N69902 has some sort of winged horse logo. I can't remember what N91300 had. Anyway, thanks for sharing these photos with us. It is always cool to see images of these airframes from the past.

T J

[hercules130]

you will see that the Hycon P-38s didn't have the flag on the nose, but rather on the tail. The stripes on the nose are apparently some kind of trim. T J

Dang T J I messed up again, I wrote American Flag and was referring to the rampant winged lion and shield (Hycon Emblem?) and not the hash marks, I was looking at the flag on the tail of the machine as I typed I suppose. Poor multi-tasking. Not to worry I have fired my editor! I noticed you called the machines blue where as the only two photos I have seen are a greenish brown color. It was neat seeing blue underneath the surviving nose and the photo of N9957F in blue. I think the hue differences further your theory on the time frame of the photos, as the blue was most definitely and earlier shade for at least two of the Hycon F-5G

Thanks again.

[skymstr02]

I took these photos at the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson last week.

[jet1]

There are a couple of F-5's for sale in Canada at this time.

...reaally?