Warbird Information Exchange

OK, guys sorry that I have not posted anything.... but here goes......
On the fighter front, 3 P-51's, Gunfighter, Rednose, and Cavanaugh's. flown by Chuck Gardner's uncle, Ronnie Gardner. Other CAF fighters,
FM-2, F8F, A6M Zero, and the P-40. the 109 was a static. Lonestar brought their F6F, P-47D, and F4U-5. Also on hand was Bill Greenwoods Spit, Rick Sharpe and his Skyraider, plus Pat McClure and his P-64 replica. The bomber ramp was good, could have used another B-17 or two, but Tx Raiders is still in the paint and body shop..... We got word (not confirmed) that Chuckie had a problem and did not leave Ft Worth..... but we had Sentimental Journey, Diamond Lil, the Shackleton, 4 B-25's, 2 A-26's, S2F, four C-47/R4D, C-46, 7-8 C-45's. about 16 T-6/SNJ/Harvards, ten Tora birds, 7-8 T-34's, BT's, PT's, and more....... Oh, the Navy guys, the SBD, 2 TBM's. The SB2C was in Houston having some radio/intercom work being done.... Turnout was slightly down, but considering fuel prices and the recent events on the Gulf Coast...... Ok, so let me tell ya about Thursday... I was sent up to shoot some photos of three SNJ's, all in Pensacola markings...... so OK, got the camera..... then Bill Coombes tells Steve Rister and I that the photo ship (which one of us would be riding in) was nothing less than the SBD! Needless to say, my first thought was, Steve is my buddy, but I can take him! But he wanted to shoot the SBD, so I shot the SNJ's out of the back of the SBD... what a sweet ride...... I think the smile will not come off of my face........... Oh... yes the pics tuned out pretty good.....I really am getting to like this digital stuff. So that is my quick report card..... Alan

Alan,

Usually the cameraship for all air-to-air photo shoots is our (Southern California Wing's) C-46 "China Doll". But we did not take our two transports (C-46 & C-131) this year because of the cost of fuel. The F6F was not able to make it because of brake problems. The C-46 burns 160 GPH and the C-131 burns 200 GPH, plus maintenance, it all adds up.

This past Thursday the C-46 had a fire in the #1 engine on landing rollout. The fire bottles were discharged and it stopped the fire but it will be some time before she's back in the air. It was caused by a hydrualic fluid leak in the acessory compartment.

There has been some talk about C-46 "Tinker Belle" lately. Some people have said that CAF headquarters sold "Tinker Belle" to somebody in Alaska. What do you know about this?

Eric

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Keep 'em flying!

Alan, thanks for the report, keep them coming. Lonestar's Thunderbird is in Addison at Cavanaugh's.

Cheers,

Lynn

Which two A-26s? Imagine "Spirit of Waco" would be one, but which one was the other?

T J

Sorry guys for taking so long... back to the home life again... no free wheeling, jumping into airplanes and going off into the wild blue.....
1. Forgot to add the Rata (I-16) flown by Carter Teeters...
2. Do not know if the bird was sold.... but there is talk of an Alaska Wing being formed..... they have the manpower and supreme knowledge of
the C-46... supposedly they have about 50-60 guys ready to join.... one the Hq reps was in Alaska last week, returning just before Airsho'. We will all have to wait and see the final outcome..
3. Eric, Sorry about the fuel issue, but this was a decision that NO ONE liked..... over the last two years our fuel budget has skyrocketed.... not because of more/less planes, but just the cost of gas period. Also remember there is a mandate that all flyable CAF a/c be at the show... so we have to plan for all a/c, including the jets.......The fuel budget alone is now approximately 20-25% of the total Airsho cost..... I don't have a quick answer for the fuel issue... will have to wait and see what the General Staff want to do... All in all, still a great show with great people.
Already planning for next year....
4. TJ, the second A-26 was Lady Liberty, the flyable CAF bird in Oklahoma.
More later... Alan

This one:

http://www.warbirdregistry.org/a26regis ... 39230.html

If you find out what happens to "Tinker Belle" let us know. It would be really great if a Wing can take her.

We (Southern California Wing) had her back in 2003 to fix her up and I don't think she has been flown since we flew her back to Midland in late 2003. It's sad.


Photo Courtesy of Brian Lockett
Here is a picture of the two C-46s at the 2003 Camarillo Air Show.

Eric

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Keep 'em flying!

Yep, I remember when you guys had her out west...... Tinker Belle does get periodic engine runups courtesy of Bill Coombes and others..... So just to keep the engines oiled etc.... Alan

alan,
what are the dates for Airsho 06 ?

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Paris, FRANCE

Did anybody get some pictures at Airsho?

Eric

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Keep 'em flying!

I shot several, but since I haven't decided to step into the modern digital world yet, I am still waiting for the film to get processed. As soon as it is, I will post some.

It would be great if you could post them for us. Did you get any air-to-air shots?

Eric

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Keep 'em flying!

No air to air. I am by no means enough of a pro photographer to be allowed that kind of access. I'm just a spectator with a lense. I'll post what I have as long as you guys promise not to laugh.....

I won't laugh at your photos. I just asked if you got air-to-air shots because at Airsho they do lots of photo shoots.

Eric

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Keep 'em flying!

The second A-26 is "Lady Liberty" based here in Okie City. Nice plane, good group-o-guys! There is a second one under restoration also.... Tailwinds, Steve.

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Civis Aerius Sum

I am a citizen of the Air