Lockheed C60 Lodestar rescued from out of a junkyard

[robkamm]

sound like a good end result to me. local police dont let you have any fun. I would love for my neighbor to have one of these. all he has is minivans.

[tinbender2]

Sorry to hear about the local police hassle.

Can't say I'm surprised.

I spent a few years in law enforcement, and no matter how tightly we controlled personnel, there were always a few power-hungry idiots that enjoying abusing their power. They never listened to others advice, and it was sometimes difficult or impossible to remove them.

But, at least the Loadstar is someplace safe, instead of an impound yard waiting to be sold as scrap.

[Fouga23]

You did the best you could Without you, it would have ended up as beercans a long time ago!

[TAdan]

I agree with what the others had to say, you saved it from the junkyard and atleast the nose will live on with the Greatest Generation group.

[carlisle1926]

Here is the final outcome for the Lockheed Lodestar. After getting three tickets from a cop on the way to Austin with the plane on my trailer a few weeks ago I was pretty nervous about transporting it. I decided to take it up to FtWorth this past week to use it as a backdrop to sell my artwork from. I decided to get the proper permits from the state to move it. I was informed that it would cost atleast $500 to do so. So, That popped that bubble. A few hours later the police chief of the ghetto town that I live in shows up to tell me that I can't have an over sized load parked in front of my house and that I would be getting a ticket if it isn't moved. I had it parked in front of my house instead of at the hanger because I had hauled it home to load the plane with art work and supplies for the 5 hour trip to Ft,Worth. At that point the decision was made to remove the entire rear of the fuselage. It was really beat up anyway. I did so while the jerk cop was there. The tail was cut up and it yielded a lot of future art pieces. The police chief was told where to place his ticket because it was no longer an over size load.
I hauled the Lodestar nose all the way to Ft Worth and used it as a backdrop one last time. It has found a new home with the Greatest Generation Aircraft guys. They will mount it on a trailer and display it. I'm pleased with that.

My court date for the tickets that I got while towing the Lodestar was this morning. The judge said that it was a shameful act giving me tickets for towing a WWII veteran plane to an event to show the public, and so he dismissed the tickets. I was sweating the penalties and fines, but that worked out great! The judge liked the plane and wanted to here the story behind it. He was a bit of an airplane buff.

Last edited by carlisle1926 on Wed Nov 07, 2012 11:41 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Steven M. Dennis]

Congratulations on the successful outcome of your court appearance!

It's nice to hear that the judge used some good ol' common sense.

Steve

[TAdan]

Glad to hear your day in court worked out.

[hallibagger]

Hi Carlisle 1926,

Yes, we at the National Air Force Museum of Canada are in the process of restoring a Lockheed Hudson Mk VI.

I enquired about the tailwheel assembly we have and I was told that it was not in good shape and a potential replacement would be an excellent idea. I could not find it in the shop to take a photo, but that is not unusual as most of the smaller parts are stored in old highway trailers and it was too cold to mess about outside.

Do you have a picture of the tailwheel you have? Could you PM me with a copy?

Thanks.

[bonzo]

Saw the note about a Lodestar tailwheel assembly today, and I had one that I took to Air Sources? in Minnissota a few years ago for a restoration project. I have not been paid or heard from the gut since, but I know the Lodestar was on the back burner and short of funding. He has one on the plane, but the lock is damaged.
Email me and I will see if I can remember his name and phone number. He has a shop in Anoka and had a stock of L-39 stuff, and did warbird work.
Gary Hilton might also have a tailwheel.
Bruce Alberti Bonzoalb@yahoo.com