Warbird Information Exchange

You may remember that earlier this year I was asking for tips when planning a road trip...
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=41361
...my route took me from San Francisco, south to SanDiego, east to Tuscon, north to Reno and west back to the coast.

Since I was already planning to travel to the west coast I decided to surprise my wife with a weekend in San Francisco. Catherine had to return home for work the next week, so we flew west on a Thursday evening and stayed in a hotel at the Fishermens Warf for a few days. After an Alcatraz tour, cable car rides, shopping, shopping and more shopping, I took my better half to SFO for a VERY early flight on the Sunday. I got Catherine to security and waved good bye. Now the road trip fun begins.



Thread Table of Contents
Day 1 – San Francisco to Mojave - viewtopic.php?f=3&t=43090&p=433070#p433070
Day 2 – Mojave to L.A. - viewtopic.php?f=3&t=43090&start=15
Day 3 – L.A. to San Diego - viewtopic.php?f=3&t=43090&start=30
Day 4 – San Diego to Buckeye - viewtopic.php?f=3&t=43090&start=45
Day 5 – Buckeye to Tucson - viewtopic.php?f=3&t=43090&start=60 - Pics start on this page… viewtopic.php?f=3&t=43090&start=75
Day 6 – Tucson to Tempe - viewtopic.php?f=3&t=43090&start=90
Day 7 – Tempe to Flagstaff - viewtopic.php?f=3&t=43090&start=120
Day 8 – Flagstaff to Reno - viewtopic.php?f=3&t=43090&start=150
Reno! - viewtopic.php?f=3&t=43090&start=165
Reno to SFO - viewtopic.php?f=3&t=43090&start=165 - Pics start here… viewtopic.php?f=3&t=43090&start=180

_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

The first leg of my trip had me heading south and inland. If you are interested in seeing my route go to...
Aerial Visuals – Trip Tool – Desert Odyssey, San Francisco to Mojave

If you would just like to kick back and relax you can watch a slideshow of the pictures I took that first day here...
Aerial Visuals - Airframe Gallery Featuring Photos by Mike Henniger

_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

So I was able to get Catherine checked in and to security at SFO rather quickly. In fact I hadn’t planned on leaving the airport so early, so here I was heading out a little after 4 AM (yawn) and I was on the road. As a result of leaving the airport much too early I arrived at my first stop much too early, it was still dark. There was no sign of sun on the horizon. Fortunately the UH-12 I was looking for was displayed along side the parking lot of a Burger King in San Carlos. So I pointed the rental at the helo, flipped on the high beams and snapped a few shots. It also helps that my 7D handles low light conditions very well.

Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Burger King - UH-12

_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

So after getting my pictures of the H-12 I continued on. The original plan was to try and get pictures of F-86 remains near Morgan Hill, however since it was still practically the middle of the night I decided to abandon the effort and continued on to Hollister. The original hope to was spot a few Trackers on the ramp...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention - OV-10, S-2, S-2
...but as I got closer to Hollister I was just hoping there were be enough sunlight and the fog would thin out! So far my success rate was not great. I did manage to get a few shots despite the low light and fog but the results were not good.

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - S-2F3AT Turbo Tracker, s/n 1S0569 MASDC, c/n 232C, c/r NR445DF {2}


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - S-2F3AT Turbo Tracker, s/n 1S0593 MASDC, c/n 307C, c/r NR449DF {2}


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - S-2F3AT Turbo Tracker, s/n 1S0587 MASDC, c/r N434DF


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - OV-10A, s/n 155427 USMC, c/n 305-38, c/r N415DF

_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

So from Hollister I headed east around the San Luis Reservoir, and after a short stint south on the I-5 I was at Oro Loma...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Central California Historical Military Museum - 9 airframes
...I was able to find NOTHING about this place on the web before traveling. Of course it was not open when I got there. What could I expect? It was still only about 7:45 AM. The hangar was not open but there was a Huey and Harpoon on the ramp. Gotta love the Poon!

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - UH-1H Iroquois [205], s/n 64-13656 US Army, c/n 4363



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - PV-2 Harpoon [L-15], s/n 37462 USN, c/n 15-1428, c/r NR7414C

_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

So after I filled up the car with gas and myself with caffeine I continued east through Firebaugh, Mendota, Kerman to get to Fresno. I wanted to get some good photos of the planes displayed along McKinley Ave...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - California ANG - 144th Fighter Wing, Fresno, California, United States - 7 airframes
...Last year when I was there it appeared they were working on a new parking lot, at least that was my optimistic guess. As it turns out they were working on a new gate and driveway. When I stopped by the place was not open. I didn’t have a chance to ask if photography is permitted.

I continued on to the end of the street then turned north to find the ANG...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - California ANG - AH-1

They have a UH-1 displayed there, but there is almost no place where you can stop safely to get a picture. I was only able to get this extremely crappy shot with my point-and-shoot when I drove by...
Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - AH-1S Cobra [209], s/n 70-15966 US Army

_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

On my way to the ANG I passed by the CDF...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention
...I knew there was a base in the area, I just didn’t know where it is. Keeping your head on a swivel when you drive by an airport really pays off. I made sure to return to the CDF base and I managed to get a few pictures of the planes on the ramp. Fortunately there were no fires at the time or else they would have been away.

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - S-2F3AT Turbo Tracker, s/n 149265 USN, c/n 109C, c/r NR431DF {2}


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - S-2F3AT Turbo Tracker, s/n 1S0570 MASDC, c/n 289C, c/r N424DF {3}


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - OV-10A, c/n 305-164, c/r N407DF {2}

_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

I continued on my journey, first to the east, then south at Minkler to Reedley. There is a college there with a few items in a compound.
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Reedley College - 8 airframes
I could see clearly in the satellite image what appeared to be an O-2. It turns out it was only a 337, since I was there I snapped a few photos anyway.

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - 337 Super Skymaster, c/n 337-0183, c/r N2283X


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - B35 Bonanza, c/n D-2653, c/r N5261C

_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

I continued south to Sequoia. I found the airport, but the grounds have little to do with airport operations anymore. The site has been converted into a prison!
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Sequoia Field Airport, Visalia, California, United States - C-130, S-2
The C-130 and S-2 were still there, but there was no way to get a good vantage point. No pics.

_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

Continuing even further south I was off to Porterville...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Porterville Municipal Airport, Porterville, California, United States - A-4
...This leg was to make up for an error last year. I missed getting pictures of the A-4 at the airport because I entered the wrong set of coordinates into my GPS. I didn’t miss it this time!

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - A-4L Skyhawk, s/n 147727 USN, c/n 12491

_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

So after I got my pictures of the A-4 I continued south. I didn’t go far before I came the local CDF base...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention
...and with my good luck there was an OV-10 on the ramp.

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - OV-10A, c/n 305-122, c/r N400DF


Interesting though... no S-2s in sight. None. I wondered where they were. (this is call literary foreshadowing)

_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

I visited Shafter last year, but I wanted to return since I learned there was an A-26 parked on the ramp...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Shafter Minter Field, Cawelo, California, United States - 8 airframes
...I found the A-26 and a bonus.

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - RB-26C Invader, s/n 44-35456 USAAF, c/n 28735, c/r N5625S



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - CM-170 Magister, s/n 555 ALAT, c/n 555, c/r NX555FA

_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

I visited the museum last year...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Minter Field Air Museum - 10 airframes
...but I thought it would be smart to stop and take a look since I was driving by anyway. As it turned out stopping was a good thing to do since they added another H-34 to their collection.

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - H-34A Choctaw, s/n 3H059 AMARC, c/n 58-589

_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

I stopped here last year as well...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Kern County Fire Department - AH-1, T-38, UH-1 (fuselage - mounted on trailer?)
...but I ran out of light before I could take a look around. I didn’t have a chance then to look for the T-38 on the south side of the airport, but I made up for that miss on this trip.

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - T-38A-60-NO Talon, s/n 65-10441 USAF, c/n N.5860

_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

So now there was only one stop between me and the Mojave, I was going Huey hunting in Tehachapi...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Tehachapi Municipal Airport, Tehachapi, California, United States - UH-1
...My drive had me heading east on route 58. Once I got clear of Bakersfield I could see a column of smoke rising way off in the distance. I didn’t think much of it at the time and just enjoyed the scenery, and there was some fantastic vistas to take in along the way. When I got to Tehachapi I found my way to the airport and located the Huey.

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - UH-1B-BF Iroquois [204], s/n 62-4590 US Army, c/n 650, c/r N70105


I mentioned I saw a column of smoke, well as it turned out the smoke came from a good sized fire just south of Tehachapi on the mountain side. Apparently a small plane crashed earlier in the day and sparked the fire...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/0 ... ml#s350119
...and by the time I got there it was really burning. I was miles away but I could easily stand there and see the flames while I filled up the car at the station along side the highway. The fire appeared to be working it’s way up the mountain. I don’t think I had ever seen a brush fire before.

Next stop... Mojave!

_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.