Mercer Field Calhoun, GA

[gale_dono]

Since this topic has been bumped, I'll ask here: I'll be passing by Mercer Field next month on a family vacation, and I should be able to stop and photograph whatever's left there. Is there anyone I should/can contact to ask permission for this, and did anyone else do this in the past?

[WishICouldSaveEmAll]

I have stopped by at least a dozen times since '91 and I have never found anyone to ask... I always just follow the rule: take only memories (or photos) and leave only footprints. I do admit I have left a few footprints ON the planes, while photographing the coskpits, but I do no damage.

I would be very interested to see what is left... and if you can see into the hangar, whether the floatplane is still there.

[Kyleb]

I flew over the field a week ago. The only things visible on the field are the swept wing F-84 and the remains of the T-29. You can't see into the hangar.

The policy at Mercer has always been that you're free to walk around, touch whatever is there, and take pictures. Of course, if someone (say the estate) has posted "no trespassing" signs, I'd honor them.

[RareBear]

I visited Mercer Field on Wednesday, July 20th, and was very much dismayed to see in person the degradation of the field and the remaining two aircraft. The F-84F was slowing being reclaimed by the weeds and the T-29 had its tail and wing-tips severed. It's right engine was gone and the cowlings for the left were also missing.

I looked in the hangar through a very dirty window and in the dim interior I could make out the form of a late-20's automobile, but little else.

Walt

Here are some photos:

[peter]

The 29 would be a lost caue now but surely that F84 is worthy enough to save???

[WishICouldSaveEmAll]

Let's be excessively optimistic and presume we ("we" could be me and a bunch of other aviation-minded yahoos that don't know any better) could get permission to salvage the -84. Does anyone in this forum know or have access to information on dismantling this a/c? If the wings and tailplanes are bolted or pinned and can be removed, it seems the fuselage would be road transportable on a heavy equipment trailer (with suitable bracing, cradles, hundreds of Home Depot tie-downs, etc). Same with the wings and tailpanes. So, in order to pull this off, we need:

1) Permission, 2) Personnel, 3) Tools & equipment, 4) Time, patience (and profanity, if required), 5) Transport, 6) Storage (and hopefully restoration) facility. One can assume each item includes some amount of $$$ as well. Oh, yes, be sure to add a healthy dose of PR, as it never hurts to have outside support for an endeavor of this magnitude.

For the record, I have worked in an aviation museum but have never had the pleasure of dismantling or working on an a/c of this size and complexity.

I currently live about 2 hours south of Mercer, so the main restrictions I have to my involvement are commuting to the air field, my work (I travel quite often) and my wife (you want to bring home a WHAT?). Other than those items, we would have my full support.

I have been previously informed that I have a streak of insanity (some say it is more extensive than that), so that is certainly why I am even suggesting such an improbable idea. But, who knows what can be done if we don't try? Any volunteers, first for the project manager position, then for the critical staff? Anyone on the forum that is more local to the area (closer to Mercer) than I am? Perhaps someone from one of the area aviation museums? Don't everyone talk at once now, let's maintain order here...

[Kyleb]

Any volunteers, first for the project manager position, then for the critical staff? Anyone on the forum that is more local to the area (closer to Mercer) than I am? Perhaps someone from one of the area aviation museums? Don't everyone talk at once now, let's maintain order here...

I'm by there all the time and live less than an hour away. My EAA chapter is largely based at the Calhoun, GA airport which is literally a couple of miles away. So, going out on a limb here, I suspect labor and equipment are available to disassemble and move the F-84.

Step 1 is getting the USAF's permission to recover the aircraft. My guess is that you'll have to have a plan to put it on public display after some sort of restoration.

Which brings up step 0.5 - where are you/we/someone gonna display it? Figure that out, and I think the rest begins to fall into place.

Kyle

[RareBear]

Is there an active VFW / American Legion post in the area that might be willing to become a partner and also perhaps provide a display location? Also, the Calhoun airport might be willing to provide a location for display.

WishICouldSaveThemAll, your statement about your restrictions reminds me of the question asked of Mrs. Lincoln shortly after Abe's death. That was "Aside from that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?"

Walt

[viking73]

Sad...

Hope that the F-84F can be saved if she's not too badly corroded. It would be neat to get the cockpit section of the T-29...

-Derek

[Warbird Kid]

As many of you know we already have got our hands full with 5+ projects currently but the F-84 is a unique plane in my eyes. Worthy enough to save.

[Chris Brame]

One thing nobody has mentioned about the Convair - the wording "US NAVY" on the forward fuselage below the cockpit; what I usually see is "UNITED STATES NAVY" above the cabin windows on transports. Is the different position used for training aircraft? Using "US" without periods is unusual too, I think - can anyone explain?

[RareBear]

The T-29 at Pima has nearly identical markings to this one. I think the "United States Navy" markings were on the C-131 series aircraft - the transport. Trainers carried the markings as seen here. The USAF T-29's had similar markings.

Here is information on this aircraft from Baugher's website:

51-5145 (c/n 276) converted to VT-29 for Navy, civil registry N1178Q. Put on static display at Mercer Field, Calhoun, Georgia

Walt

[Kyleb]

Is there an active VFW / American Legion post in the area that might be willing to become a partner and also perhaps provide a display location? Also, the Calhoun airport might be willing to provide a location for display.

WishICouldSaveThemAll, your statement about your restrictions reminds me of the question asked of Mrs. Lincoln shortly after Abe's death. That was "Aside from that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?"

Walt

The Calhoun airport would be an interesting option. The F-84 could probably be towed there with a change of tires and repacked wheel bearings. The F-84 has a 33' wingspan, and the I suspect it would clear everything other than a few road signs between Mercer and Calhoun. There is one bridge, but I bet there is 33' or more clear. Something to check out...

[gale_dono]

I flew over the field a week ago. The only things visible on the field are the swept wing F-84 and the remains of the T-29. You can't see into the hangar.

The policy at Mercer has always been that you're free to walk around, touch whatever is there, and take pictures. Of course, if someone (say the estate) has posted "no trespassing" signs, I'd honor them.

Thanks for the intel. If access is restricted at that point, I've still got a telephoto lens if nothing else. I'll be sure to post the photos on WIX as soon as I have internet access that evening.

[RareBear]

When I was there last week, there were no signs posted anywhere. There was a cable across the drive into the field, but it was low and easily stepped over. I just walked around and didn't touch anything. Grass was pretty high in places, and there were a lot of the plants we call "beggar lice" that have little seeds that stick to your clothes. I was covered with them after about 30 minutes and took me almost that long before I got enough off so the wife would let me back in the car. The area east of the hangar is low and had standing water last Wednesday. Watch for it and swing wide of the hangar to avoid it. If it hasn't rained for several days you probably won't have to worry about it.

Walt