Last U.S. military biplane

[Fearless Tower]

I think I remember reading a while back about a USAF test pilot school that trains on a wide variety of types and among them was a Stearman. I may have butchered those facts pretty badly but I figured I'd bring it up in case anyone here knows more.

-Tim

Can't say for sure about the Stearman, that is the basis for the USAF pursuing the contract with the AN-2. They try to bring in a variety of aircraft types to give the test pilot students a chance to feel them out. The Navy test pilot school does a similar deal. A buddy of mine got to fly Panchito while he was at Pax River.

[Tulio]

Maybe the humour didn't go over, so sorry about that, but I'll take Airnutz's following post as confirmation of my cut of the statement. Given off the beaten warbird track's generally where I hang out, I'd've thought it obvious I was hardly going to suggest sticking to just the mainstream. Whatever.

Sadly weasel words aren't as 'pretentious and arcane' as we might like - they're pretty critical in spotting where you aren't going to quite get what's being 'offered'.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weasel_word

Regards,

English not being my native language, I find it difficult -my first reaction when I read you is always: "this guy must have been beaten a lot in elementary and high-school" - to understand your statements. They are not written in the plain English that most people understand, and seem to be, at least to me, always trying to show how much you command the language, and also to put down others who, unlike you, like to communicate in simple and understandable terms.

Whatever.

Tulio

[JDK]

Well, Tulio, that wasn't my intent, nor attitude. Sorry you see it that way.

It's the warbird information exchange, and I tried to respond to a question you put which hinges on the meaning of an English sentence. My apologies again that the humour may not've been appropriate. I can't do more than that.

Sorry, but I don't speak basic American, and why would I?

I am a writer, and I find the language interesting and as in the 'handed' thread discussion like to share that interest; some like it, some can ignore it. The same goes for all sorts of topics within WIX from the airline business to local TV, and onwards. Just because someone knows more than me about it doesn't mean they've had a tough life nor that it slights me personally.

Obviously that's not welcome here, so I'll leave it.

My sincere apology for any offence or misunderstanding caused.

Regards,

[mike furline]

Maybe the humour didn't go over, so sorry about that, but I'll take Airnutz's following post as confirmation of my cut of the statement. Given off the beaten warbird track's generally where I hang out, I'd've thought it obvious I was hardly going to suggest sticking to just the mainstream. Whatever.

Sadly weasel words aren't as 'pretentious and arcane' as we might like - they're pretty critical in spotting where you aren't going to quite get what's being 'offered'.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weasel_word

Regards,

English not being my native language, I find it difficult -my first reaction when I read you is always: "this guy must have been beaten a lot in elementary and high-school" - to understand your statements. They are not written in the plain English that most people understand, and seem to be, at least to me, always trying to show how much you command the language, and also to put down others who, unlike you, like to communicate in simple and understandable terms.

Whatever.

Tulio

You are not alone.

[StangStung]

Come on guys, play nice.

Specific questions get specific answers, and unspecific questions often beg further questions. It's called learning and it's what WIX is all about on it's best days. No reason to get disgruntled about it.

[Tulio]

How could I possibly be disgruntled, when I don't know if I am gruntled in the first place?

Saludos,


Tulio

[StangStung]

Truth, truth.

[John Dupre]

I read an article about twenty years ago written by a USAAF veteran of WW2 who remained in the Army postwar and did not transfer to the new USAF. Sometime in the 1960s he worked on a team that evaluated a new candidate to replace the O-1 Birddog. It was great aircraft built tough by a major manufacturer and with engine commonality with the deHaviland Beaver. It was the Grumman AgCat! It had everything, visibility, load carrying, short field capability. The pilot's and maintenance folks involved thought it was a great aircraft. They showed it a general who said, "Sorry guys I cannot be the Army general that orders Biplanes for the US Army!

[CoastieJohn]

Maybe I'm not understanding the question of the OP??

Does a Grumman Duck count? J2F-6 to be precise.

[marine air]

The last biplane in U.S> military service was the Antonov AN-2 biplane in the late 1980's and early 1990's. Check out the serial numbers on Joe Baugher's website. My guess is that they were used in some special ops training in Florida, possibly elsewhere.

[Tulio]

The last biplane in U.S> military service was the Antonov AN-2 biplane in the late 1980's and early 1990's. Check out the serial numbers on Joe Baugher's website. My guess is that they were used in some special ops training in Florida, possibly elsewhere.

That was, kind of, where my question was headed. I talked once to a guy who flew them "in the U.S. military" and told me that they had carried U.S. s/n...

Nothing against the N3N [wherever the dash goes, for the purists] because those that I have seen, are sturdy and look well built.

As for any of the biplanes being U.S. built, my guess then would be that the WWI Spads and Nieuports could not be considered U.S. airplanes, but "foreing built aircraft in U.S. service" if that mouthful suits 'ya.

Saludos,


Tulio

[airnutz]

That was, kind of, where my question was headed. I talked once to a guy who flew them "in the U.S. military" and told me that they had carried U.S. s/n...

Yep, they did carry U.S. serial numbers. Did you see my post on the previous page? As late as 2009 they were still being used by the Army, but I'm not certain if they are the same birds.I did some digging around and I'll post some links here in a while.

[airnutz]

Does a Grumman Duck count? J2F-6 to be precise.

The last active N3N was mustered out of the Navy in 1961. When did the Coasties retire the last J2F-6 ?

[airnutz]

My guess is that they were used in some special ops training in Florida, possibly elsewhere.

They were part of the Threat Systems Management Office, HQ'd at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama but they operated at various bases as I understand. Things changed and they're under a different umbrella now.

A report from the Fort Bliss Monitor of May 2007 of the 3rd Battalion, 210th Aviation Regiment stand-up cermony..they note that they fly no US inventory and they own their birds. An-2 is mentioned as well...
http://www.fbmonitor.com/monitor/2007/0 ... ation.html

Another article from January 2009 where the author explains the job change from TSMO to TRADOC and possible new change to SOCOM depending on how the winds blow these days. An-2's are still there...
http://www.fbmonitor.com/monitor/2009/0 ... news3.html

I looked thru quite a few photos around the subject and Amigo Airshows, but apparently the Hip and the Hind get all the photo-love...none for the Colt.

EDIT
Corrected 1st link.

[mike furline]

AN-2
http://www.angelfire.com/dc/jinxx1/TSMO/TSMO.htm

Coast Guard J2F
http://books.google.com/books?id=AtqOSx ... e&q&f=true