Need some research help RE: SNJ-5 N543LB Bu. No. 52017

[astixjr]

I was wondering if any of you all knowing and all seeing WIXers could help me with some research on my father's SNJ-5. I've always assumed that the "Popeye holding a torpedo" artwork on the fuselage was just a spurious bit of whimsy possibly created by the former owner, Lowell Blossom. I've never seen that artwork in any books or magazines so I just thought it was "made up". A few months back, my brother in law showed me one of his new ARF RC models and pointed out the decal graphics. So now I'm wondering, was the Popeye artwork based on a historical training unit's logo?











Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks!

fixed post with images rather than links

Last edited by astixjr on Tue Feb 05, 2013 8:34 am, edited 1 time in total.

[astixjr]

Oh, and one more thing, does anyone know anything about the previous owners? I sent a photo to Warbird Registry today but this is what is currently listed regarding the chain of ownership.

Bureau #: 52017
Construction #:
88-15205
Civil Registration:
N3260G
N543LB
Model: SNJ-5
Name: None
Status: Unknown
Last info: 2002
History:
Joe B. Hill, Freemont, CA, 1963-1964.
- Registered as N3260G.
Dudley A. Main, Georgetown, SC/San Diego, CA, 1966-1972.
Speedway Volkswagen, Indianapolis, IN, 1976.
- Registered as N543LB.
Lowell Blossom, Zionsville, IN, 1977.
Ed Buerckholtz, Chesterfield, MO, 1984-1992.
Albert I. Stix, St Louis, MO, May 11, 1992-2002.

Thanks again!

[The Inspector]

Your subject is in another one of those holes in Baughers list of BUARNO's.

[Stoney]

It was the 6,193rd one built under the 88- A/C

[mrhenniger]

Oh, and one more thing, does anyone know anything about the previous owners? I sent a photo to Warbird Registry today but this is what is currently listed regarding the chain of ownership.

I can't add too much to what you already have...
Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - North AmericanSNJ-4 Texan [NA-88], s/n 52017, c/n 88-15205, c/r N543LB
...except that the CofA was in 1959. Mr. Hill may have owned it at the time, or there may have been a previous owner.

If you have some photos of this Texan you can share, I would really appreciate having a few uploaded...
Aerial Visuals - Airframe Photo Upload - North American SNJ-4 Texan, s/n 52017, c/n 88-15205, c/r N543LB

Mike

[astixjr]

I was able to scan some of the 1950s era Navy logbook from my father's files on N543LB. Still not sure what it did from 1943 to 1946. Or for that matter, where they plane was located from 1946 to 1953, probably Lychfield from 46' to 53'. That's where it was in 1957 and I assume where it was sold to a civilian between 57' and 63'.