Warbird Information Exchange

Speaking of this.....where is HELLDIVER? It's been a while, hope all is well.


regards,

t~

HI IM ALIVE AND WELL BUT VERY BUSY ON THE A-25 ENGINE COWLINGS ARE ALMOST DONE WITH A BIT OF FINAL FITTING.THE ELEVATORS WILL BE ON THIS WEEK. I HAVENT BEEN ABLE TO GET ON FOR AWHILE BUT RESETING OF THE OL PASSWORD DID THE TRICK! THANKS SCOTT NEW PHOTOS COMMING SOON,RADIO GEAR IS BEING HOOKED UP AND FINNISHING THE PILOTS COMPARTMENT THIS WEEK!THANKS MIKE

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IF YOU CAN FIND IT WE CAN FIX IT

Did the USAAF use the A-25 operationally? I don't think so...according to Swanborough & Bowers "US Military Aircraft Since 1909", most were reassigned to the Marines.

If I'm right, it could be another example of the NMUSAF having its priorities a bit muddled.
For the cost of having it restored, they could have a lot equally/more important stuff done...how about taking back the Swoose and restoring it, or maybe building a Keystone bomber, or having a Don Gentile marked P-51C, an ATC C-54, a mid-50s USAF local base rescue H-13G/H....or on a smaller scale repainting the H-19B as a ARS H-19B...not an "A", or giving the C-82 some new paint (or a proper burial).

Don't get me wrong, the Helldiver is a neat plane....I saw the CAF ship a lot in Texas....it's just there are other things to do with limited money.

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.

I THINK THEY MADE THE SCORE OF THE CENTURY.NOT ONLY IS IT ONE OF THE RAREST AAF AIRCRAFT ITS THE ONLY COMPLETE EXAMPLE IN THE WORLD!THE SWOOSE BELONGS TO THE NASM, BUT THEY NOW ARE RESTORING THE MEMPHIS BELL THE FIRST HEAVY BOMBER TO SURVIVE 25 MISSIONS A MUCH MORE HISTORIC B-17.THE A-25 WAS ORDRED BY THE AAF BUT BEFORE THEY WERE DELIVERED THEIR MISSION WAS CHANGED FROM A FRONTLINE DIVE BOMBER TO BEING A STATESIDE TRAINING/TARGET TUG A/C.THEY ACCEPTED THE FIRST 410 THE REST WERE TRANSFERED TO THE NAVY THEN TO THE MARINES.THEY WERE USED AS ANTI SUB A/C IN THE PANAMA AREA .THE HELLDIVER IS ONE OF THE RAREST WARBIRDS OUT THERE,OF THE THOUSANDS BUILT 1SB2C-3,4 SB2C-5s AND NOW AN A-25A SURVIVE THANKS TO THE FORESIGHT OF THE MUSEUM.IT IS SO RARE THAT MOST OF THE FOLKS THAT STOP BY THE SHOP HAD NO IDEA THAT THE AIR FORCE EVER FLEW THE HELLDIVER.THIS EXAMPLE IS NOW THE OLDEST SURVIVOR OF THE GROUP!THE NAVY MUSEUM HAD A SB2C-5 ON DISPLAY FOR 27 YEARS BUT IT WAS RECALLED BY THE NASM, WHICH NOW LEAVES A BIG HOLE IN THEIR COLLECTION.ON THE OTHER HAND THE AIR FORCE MUSEUM WILL SOON DISPLAY THE HEAVIEST SINGLE ENGINE A/C BUILT DURING WW2,THE A-25 MAY NOT BE THE MOST FAMOUS A/C ORDERED BY THE AIR FORCE BUT IT IS ONE OF THE RAREST AND DESERVES ITS PLACE IN THE MUSEUM.THE A/C IN NAVY SERVICE SENT MORE Japanese SHIPS TO THE BOTTOM AND DESTROYED MORE ENEMY TARGETS THAN ANY OTHER A/C OF THE WAR!WE WOULD ALL LIKE TO SEE MORE A/C RESTORED AND DISPLAYED BUT REALLY DO WE NEED MORE MUSTANGS PAINTED IN DIFFERENT MARKINGS OR WOULD WE RATHER SEE DIFFERENT A/C AS THE SHRIKE?I THINK THE MONEY WAS VERY WELL SPENT WHICH INCLUDES ALLOT OF MY OWN HARD EARNED CASH.THE MUSEUM HAS MADE MANY GREAT STRIDES IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, IF ANYTHING WE SHOULD BE MORE THAN GREATFUL AT THE PROGRESS AND IMPROVEMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE CURRENT LEADERSHIP!!! THANKS MIKE

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IF YOU CAN FIND IT WE CAN FIX IT

Since the Helldiver/A-25 is so rare I'd rather have the example in a Navy/Marines museum than the NMUSAF....
After all it saw combat in naval service while didn't do much in the USAAF.

Let one of the few remianing airframes honor the men who flew it in combat, not as an example of changing doctrine/tatics.

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.

MAYBE IF THE NAVY/MARINE CORP MUSEUM COULD RAISE THE MONEY THE WAY THE AIR FORCE DID THEY COULD HAVE ONE TOO.IF YOU DONT THINK THAT THE A-25 IS WORTHY OF DISPLAY AT THE MUSEUM MAYBE YOU CAN BUY IT THEN DONATE IT TO WHO EVER YOU DESIRE.THANKS MIKE

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IF YOU CAN FIND IT WE CAN FIX IT

Let one of the few remianing airframes honor the men who flew it in combat, not as an example of changing doctrine/tatics.

JBoyle (sorry, don't know your first name),

Is it possible that, rather than "an example of changing doctrine/practice," the Shrike might actually be displayed at Dayton in honor of those men (and quite possibly women) who lost their lives in service to their country stateside?

I'm also not quite sure whether a four-engined aircraft could be restored or a Keystone bomber built from scratch for the monies involved; math isn't really a specialty of mine though.

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

The NMUSAF should be applauded for aquiring such a rare aircraft. They saw a gap in their collection and an opportunity to fill it. Just think, once it goes on display, an aircraft that is basicly unkown outside of warbird fanatics will be seen by many thousands of people each year. Also, I believe the SB2C-1A only served the Navy/Marines in a non-combat roll.

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Dan Johnson

Perhaps it's an appropriate time to read this:

http://www.oaoa.com/twentieth/cent_wasp.htm

Lest we forget...the ladies!

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

I remember the book "Veteran and Vintage Aircraft" reported that the USAFM had the remains of two Keystone bombers - and mentioned their serial numbers! - for restoration; what's happened with those?

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All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

Hey Mike(Helldivers),

We're waiting w/baited breath, photos pleeease!

regards,


t~

Sasnak
I could not agree more with you about the Navy / NHC. I think it is great that the USAFM is getting a Helldiver and that the Museum is growing. I could not believe the change I saw when I went back this summer. There were very busy in the past 2 years.
Tim

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www.tailhookstudio.com

As for the Navy, please don't rant about what a shame it is that they don't have a SB2C of their own. Remember, this is the Naval Museum. These people, and the command above them, have been responsible for so much heartache in the aircraft preservation world.

Sasnak,

Respectfully, I could not disagree with you more on this view. As far as the Navy is concerned, it is my view that the problems concerning aircraft preservation are caused predominantly by the NHC and not the museum. They are quite separate entities. The museum has little-to-no input concerning the current recovery policies.

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

Back to the original discussion about the soon to be stunningly displayed A-25 Shrike, courtesy of the hard work of HELLDIVER and the vision of the outstanding NMUSAF. Don't forget the pictures please

Agreed!

Mike: Post those pictures pronto, or I'm going to have to come up there and take them myself!

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

Not picking at you JB, it's just that your comments make my reply easier.
The NHC has a stack of files, and presumably an even greater stack of
lawyers in order to..umm..."re-claim" their Helldiver's which are in
remarkably preserved display condition.

Failing that...they honor the men(and women) who flew the Helldiver, by
keeping the birds in "deep storage"...awaiting the day when they can
competently recover those machines from storage.

Note to self: The best way to store and keep my valuables safe...cold,
dark salt-water...

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He bowls overhand...He is the most interesting man in the world.
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