The Desert Odyssey in Photos – All Good Things...

[mrhenniger]

It isn’t L.A. unless you get stuck in traffic. There is nothing better for that than morning rush hour traffic, and I had no problem getting stuck driving from Santa Monica to El Monte. Fortunately I didn’t have to wait too long. The objective was the American Military Museum...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - American Military Museum - UH-1
...The place was not open when I was there, but there was space to park in front of the gate. I just had to walk down the road and get a few pictures through the fence with my point and shoot. Not the best results, but better than nothing.

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - QUH-1M Iroquois [205], s/n 65-9423 US Army, c/n 1323

[mrhenniger]

The next stop was the airport at Rialto...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Rialto Municipal Airport / Miro Field, Rialto, California, United States - C-45, DC-3
...I was hoping to spot the Harpoon on the ramp, but it was not to be. I did find the C-45.

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - C-45G Expeditor [D18S], s/n 51-11863 USAF, c/r N11863


Not far away was the San Bernardino Sheriffs Department of Aviation. I was hoping to spot a few UH-1s on the ramp. No luck but I did see the tail boom of one in storage and another in use for jump training.

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - UH-1H Iroquois [205], s/n 65-9831 US Army, c/n 4875


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - UH-1 Iroquois



IF ANYONE KNOWS THE ID OF THE HUEY ON THE TOWER PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!!

[mrhenniger]

My original schedule had it quite unlikely I would be able to visit the museum in Palm Springs...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Palm Springs Air Museum - 40 airframes
...but I managed to save enough time up to this point in my trip and I was able to get out there. Originally I was just wanted to get a few pictures of the Harpoon, a recent arrival since I have photos over everything else, but since I was there I snapped a few other pictures.

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - AH-1G-BF Cobra [209], s/n 67-15574 US Army, c/n 20238



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - TP-40N Warhawk, s/n 44-7084 USAAF, c/n 32824, c/r N999CD


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - RC-47 [DC-3], s/n 044 IDF, c/n 16007, c/r N60154



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - N2 Nomad

PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY ID INFORMATION FOR THIS ARTIFACT!!!

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - C-1A Trader, s/n 146048 USN, c/r NX7171M



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Goose IA [G-21], s/n 66331 USN, c/n 1161, c/r N95467





Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - FM-2 Wildcat, s/n 55627 USN, c/n 3268, c/r NL47201


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - F6F-5N Hellcat, s/n 94473 USN, c/n A-12225, c/r NX4964W


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - G-58B, c/n D-1262, c/r NL700A


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - PV-2 Harpoon [L-15], s/n 37211 USN, c/r NR7273C




Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - T-33B Shooting Star, s/n 126591 USN, c/n 580-5327, c/r N6633D



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - F-4S Phantom II, s/n 153851 USN, c/n 2299


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - T-6G Texan [NA-168], s/n 49-3402 USAAF, c/n 88-19362, c/r N85JR


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - TB-25N Mitchell, s/n 44-86747 USAAF, c/n 108-47501, c/r NL8163H


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - P-51D-30-NA Mustang [NA-122], s/n 9273 RCAF, c/n 122-41448, c/r N151BP


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - T-28B Trojan [NA-219], s/n 140041 USN, c/n 219-40, c/r NX28BP


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - SBD-5 Dauntless, s/n 36176 USN, c/n 4815


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - P-47D-40-RA Thunderbolt, s/n 122 MGP, c/n 399-55744, c/r NX47RP




Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - UH-34D Choctaw, s/n 154895 USN, c/n 58-1805


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - N2S-4 Kaydet [A75N1], s/n 55756 USN, c/n 75-04993, c/r N9955H



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - N2S-3 Kaydet [B75N1], s/n 38393 USN, c/n 75-08014, c/r N63555


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Spitfire FR.XIVe, s/n SG108 FABCA, c/n 6S-648206, c/r NX114BP


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - J-3C-65, c/n 20183, c/r N6944H


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - FG-1D Corsair, s/n 215 FAS, c/n 3890, c/r NX62290

[mrhenniger]

So the next step was to back track a bit back to Riverside to the Flabob airport...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Flabob Airport, Riverside, California, United States - DC-3
...where I had hoped to spot a C-47. I was able to see a small piece of it.

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Dakota IV, s/n KP267 RAF, c/n 16821, c/r N103NA

Last edited by mrhenniger on Mon Nov 07, 2011 7:26 am, edited 1 time in total.

[mrhenniger]

Not far way on the south side of the Santa Ana River is the Riverside Municipal Airport. I was trying to spot some helo operated by Heli-Flite...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Heli-Flite - H-34, H-34, S-58
...but I had no such luck. Oh well. But as it happened the local CAF...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Commemorative Air Force - Inland Empire Wing - DC-3, Harvard, J-5, Navion, PT-22
...was changing an engine on their C-47. Very cool!

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - DC-3A, s/n 42-68830 USAAF, c/n 11757, c/r N45366




Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Harvard II, s/n 3832 RCAF, c/n 81-4099, c/r N96281



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Navion A, c/n NAV4-196, c/r N344J


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - J-5A Cub Cruiser, c/r N35786


From here I left the greater L.A. region and headed south for Palm Springs. I was driving south along the 215 when I passed March Field. I had been to the March Field Museum in 2009 and previously in 2005. It tool discipline, but I was able to keep driving on by.

[mrhenniger]

I had stopped at the Hemet airport in 2009. I found this was a fantastic place for airplane spotting as there are often cool things parked on the ramp. The first point of interest is local CDF fire attack base...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention - 7 airframes

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - S-2F3AT Turbo Tracker, s/n 1S0241 MASDC, c/n 123C, c/r N437DF

You might recognize this one. I spotted this one earlier in the trip at Fox Field. Apparently Hemet is the home base for the Tracker this past summer.

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - S-2F3AT Turbo Tracker, s/n 1S0558 MASDC, c/n 329C, c/r NR435DF

I had spotted this one at Fox Field as well.

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - OV-10A, s/n 1V0021 AMARC, c/n 305-11, c/r N429DF


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - UH-1H Iroquois [205], s/n 70-15765 US Army, c/n 12375, c/r N490DF


As I mentioned the CDF is not the only cool place to spot aircraft. There is the Jet and Prop Museum...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - The Prop and Jet Museum - 10 airframes
...which may not be accessible to the general public, but does keep a number of their airframes on the ramp. And there are a number of interesting airframes at the west end...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Hemet Ryan Airport, Hemet, California, United States - 8 airframes

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Expeditor 3TM [D18S], s/n 1463 RCAF, c/n CA-038, c/r N62936


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - DC-3-313, c/n 2169, c/r N26MA



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - DC-3-201C, c/n 2236, c/r N20TW


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - BT-13B, c/r N59843

I have not been able to find out much about this airframe, so if anyone can fill me in on the history please let me know!

Last edited by mrhenniger on Fri Dec 09, 2011 8:17 am, edited 1 time in total.

[mrhenniger]

The next stop was the Classic Rotors Museum at Ramona...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Classic Rotors Museum - 30 airframes
...I knew there was no chance the museum would be open this late in the day, but it was also on the schedule for just after sunrise the next morning, and the next day was to be a long day, I decided to visit before I lost the light. You can’t see much from the road but there were a few interesting items.

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - DP-1


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - HRP-1



While I was taking my shots the Trackers from the local CDF base...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention - OV-10, S-2, S-2
...arrived overhead. Apparently the airport authority was good enough to provide a nice spotting area with picnic tables and fences you can see over!

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - S-2F3AT Turbo Tracker, s/n 149268 USN, c/r N432DF




Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - S-2F3AT Turbo Tracker, s/n 153570 USN, c/n G-121-326C, c/r NR427DF {3}





So this was the last stop for the day. I just back tracked a little bit to Escondido to my hotel. I even managed to get something to eat before it was dark. Day 4 was to be a long day, so I knew I needed my rest. I crashed for the evening.


More pictures in about a week. Day 4, San Diego into Arizona next. Stay tuned!

Last edited by mrhenniger on Mon Nov 07, 2011 7:28 am, edited 1 time in total.

[The Inspector]

The G-21 is one of 50 sent to the Fleet Air Arm and s/n 66331 was FP 511 to the British. At some point in the past it had the PAN-AIR retractable tip float mods done, be interesting to know it's previous N #'s were.

It's N # is good until mid 2014

[mrhenniger]

The G-21 is one of 50 sent to the Fleet Air Arm and s/n 66331 was FP 511 to the British. At some point in the past it had the PAN-AIR retractable tip float mods done, be interesting to know it's previous N #'s were.

It's N # is good until mid 2014

I believe you are talking about this one...

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Goose IA [G-21], s/n 66331 USN, c/n 1161, c/r N95467

If you follow the link you will find the serials and civil registrations previously carried. The dossier was compiled from a number of different sources, and may not be the complete picture, but from what is compiled N95467 is the only civil registration assigned to it. Also I heard a rumor the Goose is for sale. Can anyone confirm?

Mike

[The Inspector]

There ya go! THANX, thought it might have been an old PAN-AIR bird but not-

[Bear]

Mike,

The G-21 is in fact for sale.

http://www.courtesyaircraft.com/Current%20Inventory/N95467%20Grumman%20G-21A%20Goose%20Project.htm

[mrhenniger]

The journey continues! To view my route for this day go to...
Aerial Visuals – Trip Tool – Desert Odyssey, San Diego to Buckeye

If you would just like to kick back and relax you can watch a slideshow of the pictures I took that day here...
Aerial Visuals - Airframe Gallery Slide Show - Desert Odyssey, San Diego to Buckeye

[mrhenniger]

This was the first day I could sleep in. The first stop was the Flying Leathernecks museum...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Flying Leatherneck Aviation Musem - 30 airframes
...and it wasn’t scheduled to open until 9 AM, so I enjoyed a few extra hours of down time. I showed up at the Flying Leathernecks as they were opening the gate, and very soon after I was snapping photos. I visited here in 2009, so I was only looking to photograph what was new and what had received new paint. So here is an abbreviated tour...

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - T-34B Mentor [45], s/n 140688 USN, c/n BG-22, c/r N2986F


It isn’t often that you see a war prize!...
Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - 214ST, s/n 5722 IQAF, c/n 28166


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - UH-1N Twin Huey, s/n 159198 USN, c/n 31674


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - A-4F Skyhawk, s/n 154204 USN, c/n 13661


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - TA-4J Skyhawk, s/n 158467 USN, c/n 14272


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - TBM-3E Avenger, s/n 53726 USN, c/n 3788, c/r NR7076C


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - F9F-8P Cougar, s/n 141722 USN, c/n 55


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - A-6E Intruder, s/n 154170 USN, c/n I-305


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - AV-8C Harrier, s/n 719 NASA, c/n FL 41H 735687, c/r N719NA


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - SNJ-5 Texan [NA-88], s/n 90866 USN, c/n 88-18284, c/r N100GD


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - OV-10A, s/n 636 NASA, c/n 305-105, c/r N636NA {2}


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - F-18A-10-MC (Lot 5) Hornet, s/n 161749 USN, c/n 108/A077


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - F-18A-22-MC (Lot 9) Hornet, s/n 163152 USN, c/n 576/A483


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - UH-25B Retriever, s/n 128596 USN


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - F4U-5NL Corsair, s/n 122189 USMC

[mrhenniger]

I made a quick tour of the Flying Leathernecks, then it was off to the harbour to revisit the Midway...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - USS Midway Museum - 30 airframes
...I was here in 2009 and was VERY impressed with this museum. Unfortunately I did not spend much time here, as I was really there to see the F4U-4 which was new since my last visit. I am ashamed to say I may only have spent a ½ hour on board breezing through the hangar deck and along the flight deck. I just wanted to see what was new. The pictures posted here are just a sample of the collection. If you plan on visiting set aside at least a half of a day so you can really enjoy this place.

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - 305


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - C-1A Trader, s/n 7C0017 MASDC, c/n 066, c/r N32705


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - F9F-8 Cougar, s/n 141136 USN


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - A-6A Intruder, s/n 151782 USN, c/n I-85


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - E-2C Hawkeye, s/n 160701 USN, c/n A049


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - E-2C Hawkeye, s/n 161227 USN, c/n A067


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - SH-2 Seasprite


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - S-3B Viking, s/n 159766 USN, c/n 394A-1095


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - F-4N Phantom II, s/n 153030 USN, c/n 1557


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - SNJ-5 Texan [NA-88], s/n 91091 USN, c/n 121-42107


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - RA-5C Vigilante, s/n 156641 USN, c/n 316-34


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - SBD-6 Dauntless, s/n 54654 USN, c/n 6168



This one was new to the collection since my visit in May 2009...
Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - UH-25B Retriever, s/n 130059 USN, c/r N88949


And this is my main reason for stopping here...
Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - F4U-4 Corsair, s/n 618 FAHo, c/n 9039 F4U-4




Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - A-7B-1-CV Corsair II, s/n 154370 USN, c/n B-010


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - A-7 Corsair II, s/n 67-14585 USAF, c/n D.004

[mrhenniger]

I skipped North Island...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - North Island NAS (Stockdale Gate), San Diego, California, United States - A-4
...when I was in the area last time, but since then I discovered there is one plane displayed where the public can just drive up and see it. The others displayed aircraft are off limits. So, it didn’t take much to take me over the bridge to check it out.

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - A-4C Skyhawk, s/n 148516 USN, c/n 12709