Planning my Central California Pilgrimage

[Cindy]

There used to be several planes outside, but I believe the C-47 is at Travis now. However, knowing Duncan, he's usually at the airport until about 5 or 6 pm (if the weather is nice).

[Mike]

Another stop worth making is Sonoma. At Schellville you've got an airworthy P-51, P-40, Curtiss-Wright 19R, JN-4H Jenny, several Stearmans, an SNJ, 3 Ryan ST-As and many other Antiques and Classics based. At nearby Sonoma Skypark (3 miles away) are a couple of airworthy T-28s and another selection of Antiques and Classics.

[jdvoss]

RE: McClelland Museum

Just recalled an interesting A/C at McClelland for you to note. Among the collection is a Douglas C-53 (passenger variant of the C-47) and it is charaterized by having the door on the right hand side of the aircraft. No doubt originaly a civil DC-3 airliner that was impressed into the USAAF shortly after US entry into WWII. Having the passenger door on either the right or left hand side of the airplane was an "option" by Douglas. American Airlines, KLM et.al. procured their DC-3's with RH passenger doors. They are a rare sight anymore..actually the only one I've ever seen

[eaglehart]

If you come to castle, B-25J Old Glory is IN hanger 6, I dont know who the owner is, Also at the merced airport is a P-80 on a pole.

[mrhenniger]

If you are going to be in Sacramento, don't forget about the McClellan AFB Museum

Scheduled!

If coming or going South, there is the Castle AFB museum with a B2 Vulcan bomber & B-36.

Most definitely on the schedule!

Also Reno Air Races coming soon (Sept).

This is the primary purpose of this trip! I am looking forward to seeing Reno for the first time.

There used to be several planes outside, but I believe the C-47 is at Travis now. However, knowing Duncan, he's usually at the airport until about 5 or 6 pm (if the weather is nice).

I’ll stop by to see what I can see. Thanks for the info!

Another stop worth making is Sonoma. At Schellville you've got an airworthy P-51, P-40, Curtiss-Wright 19R, JN-4H Jenny, several Stearmans, an SNJ, 3 Ryan ST-As and many other Antiques and Classics based. At nearby Sonoma Skypark (3 miles away) are a couple of airworthy T-28s and another selection of Antiques and Classics.

Schellville is already on my radar. I will make a point of stopping by Sonoma Skypark while passing through. Thanks for the tip!

Just recalled an interesting A/C at McClelland for you to note. Among the collection is a Douglas C-53 (passenger variant of the C-47) and it is charaterized by having the door on the right hand side of the aircraft. No doubt originaly a civil DC-3 airliner that was impressed into the USAAF shortly after US entry into WWII. Having the passenger door on either the right or left hand side of the airplane was an "option" by Douglas. American Airlines, KLM et.al. procured their DC-3's with RH passenger doors. They are a rare sight anymore..actually the only one I've ever seen

I will make a point of looking for it. Thanks for the tip!

If you come to castle, B-25J Old Glory is IN hanger 6, I dont know who the owner is.

Good tip. Is this something that can be viewed as part of general admission to the museum? Does the museum have a restoration hangar?

Also at the merced airport is a P-80 on a pole.

Actually, it is a TV (Naval T-33) and yes, it is on my radar. Thanks!

Qualifying at the Reno Air Races will actually start during the Sunday of the Mather, CA Capitol Air Show and continue until racing starts on Thursday. One of the few (formerly) airworthy F-100's in the world is displayed/parked on the East end of the ramp at Stead airfield.

Actually I had my fingers crossed the aircraft I see on the ramp in GE will be accessible during the event.

This should be a very nice trip!
Mike





P.S. Here is the revised "need help" list...

Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Hughs Vintage Aircraft Museum - Little Looper, N2S, New Standard D-25, PT-13, Travel Air 4000
I can't find a website for this place. Does it even exist? If so what are the hours of operation?

Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Yuba City, California, United States - T-38
Does anyone know if the nice people at Beale allow the west-side gate-guard T-38 to be photographed. I am guessing not, but it can’t hurt to ask.

Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Hillier Air Museum - 8 airframes
This museum is in Modesto. It is not to be confused with the Hiller museum. Has anyone been there? I don’t have an exact location for it, so I could use some help finding it.

Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Commemorative Air Force - Central California Valley Squadron - BT-13, L-5
Does this CAF Wing welcome walk-in visitors? Are they accessible at all?

Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier – NAS Lemoore, California - A-1, A-4, A-7, F-18
Is it possible to get pictures of the aircraft at the gate?

Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Truckee, California, United States - F-86 (mounted)
Is there a F-86 displayed in Truckee? I doubt it, but I thought I should ask here.

Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Fallon, Nevada, United States - 20 airframes
Besides the gate guard in public view, are there any aircraft at NAS Fallon accessible to the public?

Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Santa Maria Park - F-102, T-33
Does anyone know if there is a F-102 or T-33 displayed in Santa Maria?

Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Minter Field Air Museum - 7 airframes
Does anyone know what airframes are in the collection. I am looking to confirm what I have in my notes via this link.[/quote]

[Eric Presten]

Mike,

When are you coming to Sonoma? Give me a call, but I must warn you, you might get stuck flying in something cool.

Eric Presten
(707) 939-8913

[mrhenniger]

When are you coming to Sonoma? Give me a call, but I must warn you, you might get stuck flying in something cool.

Eric Presten

Hi Eric! I am about to send you a PM.

Mike

[jdvoss]

Mike:

Just a note to inform you that the only aircraft of display at Moffett Field is a P-3 Orion...so it may not be worth your time. The P-2E is still in the paint shop and all of the other NASA aircraft iare in one of the blimp hangars..which are currently closed to us civilians.

John

[mrhenniger]

Just a note to inform you that the only aircraft of display at Moffett Field is a P-3 Orion...so it may not be worth your time. The P-2E is still in the paint shop and all of the other NASA aircraft iare in one of the blimp hangars..which are currently closed to us civilians.

Thanks John. This is good info. I still plan to visit, but I am moving the visit to another day. Is the F-104 still outside the museum?

Mike

[jdvoss]

RE: NASA TF-104G

No, it too has been moved back across the field into the blimp hangar. Apparently it was brought out for a brief display while the Collings Foundation was passing thru Moffett. The P-3 is the only A/C on display ..but if you'e luckey the P-2E may well have been brought out of the paint shop by the time of your arrival. Both are located very close to the control tower. The Moffett Field Museum is interesting as it is a nice history of the base... photos, diorama et.al. It is located very close to Hangar One which housed the USS Macon. Hanger One is closed for entry as portions of the inside are falling down (e.g. pieces of structural steel are laying on the floor) and a hard hat won't help.

Since you will be in Sonoma and probably be driving down US 101 towards San Francisco you might find the old Hamilton AFB of interest It's located right along side HWY 101 in San Rafael. It's actually a housing development now but the old 1930's era hangars are still there! This is the very base that the dozen B-17's departed from on the evening of December 6, 1941 heading for Hawaii...you know the rest of the story. Check out Freeman's site for Califorinia-San Rafael area. There are some great photos loaded ... color WWII, etc.

John

[Roger Cain]

P.S. Here is the revised "need help" list...

Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Hughs Vintage Aircraft Museum - Little Looper, N2S, New Standard D-25, PT-13, Travel Air 4000
I can't find a website for this place. Does it even exist? If so what are the hours of operation?

Mike, this is at Hollister Airport as you list. The New Standard is apart for rebuild, but I can put you in touch with the museum's curator if you know what day you plan to stop in there? He may be able to show you a few other local planes that are in nearby hangars. There are also two Russian Mi-2 helicopters that you can't miss on the ramp along with CDF tankers.

[Roger Cain]

P.S. are you aware of this T-33 parked behind SFO. It's a five minute drive from your car rental location. Google Earth: 37 38'10.28N, 122 23 03.76W

[RareBear]

Is that a gray-camo-painted T-39 behind the building the T-33 is parked in front of?

Walt

[mrhenniger]

No, it too has been moved back across the field into the blimp hangar. Apparently it was brought out for a brief display while the Collings Foundation was passing thru Moffett.

Thanks John! I still plan to stop by on my way through. I'll let you know what I find.

Mike