CBI C-47 Nose Art Weekend at Grissom Air Museum

[ww2John]

Chris, et al,
Just wanted to say how much I appreciate your efforts at this museum.
John Gates

[6trn4brn]

Hear, Hear Mr Gates...I will second that notion! Words escape me...so wonderful to see all of the tremendous work you and others are doing there at Grissom Chris!!! John Crume is smiling down on ya

[mustangdriver]

More to come, but here is a good news story
http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/news/ ... 96049.html

[mustangdriver]

I thought you would like to see a few of the pics from the dedication of the C-47. WHile weather held us up from finishing all of the work, we atleast got a good portion done before the dedication. We will continue on it through the summer.

Hosting the dedication


Col. William Mason of the 434th ARW


Matt tracking the fly over


Jim Price the museum director


Then at just the right time you could hear the engines in the distance



Thanks to Nathan Davis, Laura and Steve Stants, and Trey Carroll for the fly over

THe Haus's brought along a surprise along with the.


Members of the Haus family in the aircraft representing their father's.






Some of the Warbird Rescue gang with the family




We can never thank all of the people that helped make this happen. I feel bad as Wixr greg came out and we were so busy I did not get to chat much, and but I did want to thank him for his help that morning. Another great WIXer stepping up to lend a hand where he could. Thank you Greg. Thanks to Chad Hill, He painted our beautiul nose art. But more than that. He has played a huge part in getting this museum on track, and he also came back to share in the very special moments we had this weekend. He is a great artist, dedicated warbird junkie, and great friend. The folks that all came out to strip paint, wash the plane, and get those nasty jobs out of the way so that the project could continue forward. To Bob Barr who upon hearing Jim's story donated the funds for the paint. To all of the folks at Grissom who trusted us with their airplane. To Matt Jolley, Rob Morelli, Zachary Baughman, Eric R., and Bary Herwald, some of the best folks I have ever had the honor to call friends.

[WIXerGreg]

I feel bad as Wixr greg came out and we were so busy I did not get to chat much, and but I did want to thank him for his help that morning. Another great WIXer stepping up to lend a hand where he could. Thank you Greg.

No worries! I knew you were all busy. I had a great time, as did George that was with me. He thought the ceremony was beautiful. I know there were at least a few moist eyes by the end.

It's great to see the work you guys are doing out there and I look forward to seeing what's in store for the future.

A couple more pictures.

The KC-135 that took off behind us and delayed the Mustang and T-6's. I realized yesterday morning where he was going - the Indy airshow had a KC-135 flyover.



I SO wish this one would have focused!



And the people that made it happen.

[Bear]

It was a great ceremony. Kudos to Chris, Rob, Zack, Chad, Matt and all involved. It was a privilege to be part of it (Albeit a small part) and an honor to wear the badge.

[mustangdriver]

Thanks to all for the kind comments. I talked to the Haus family and they are going to make the Grissom Air Museum the site of their family reunion next year again.

[Django]

Wish I could have been there on Friday, but Saturday was fun too.

[mustangdriver]

Pics from that are going to surface soon from Zack. That was pretty cool. Sat. was special for for sure!

[WIXerGreg]

Here's another article from the Logansport paper.

http://pharostribune.com/local/x5592765 ... r-II-pilot

[Zachary]

Here's an interview I did with Django about painting Grissom's C-47 nose art: http://www.eaavideo.org/video.aspx?v=948195944001

[AviaS199]

By way of explanation ... I'm Jim Haus' son. (Third one down in the family photos) Sorry for the late reply, but I've just now been able to log back in after months of trying. Not sure what the problem was. Probably me not understanding the instructions.

All of us are grateful beyond words for the work done by Chris, Chad, Matt, Rob, and all the guys and gals at Grissom and Warbird Rescue. It was an extraordinary experience, watching the Mustang and Texans fly over as the nose art was revealed, while "God Bless America" played on the PA system. When we showed the photos to Dad, he was as giddy as a teenager. We'll all remember this for the rest of our lives.

[LKS]

Here are a couple of photos from the other perspective, taken from the back seat of the P-51 on the fly-over.

First, coming down the runway with the base in the background


The museum is under the left wing of the T-6


Photos are by a retired Grissom serviceman, Jon Tharp.

[Django]

Cool pics!

[AviaS199]

Very cool. Makes me wish I could have been in two places at once!