The b-29 that would not die

[Jerry O'Neill]

Best that I can recall, the lost aircraft were:
C-124, C-133, HU-16, Connie, Convair CT-29 (nose at Soplata's), Sea Knight, (2) F-102's, Mohave, H-19, F-8, A-4, F-86H, C-119, T-33, C-54, RF-84F and F4D Skyray.

Damaged ones in the outside display photos that were repaired or are still there: B-57, Neptune, B-29, B-25H, B-17, F-89, F-104, A3D, E-1B, TBM-1E, IM-99A, F-100, and B-47.

Aircraft replaced: F-86, F4D, A-4, T-33, F-8, HU-16.
This doesn't count the more minor dings some of the aircraft in the display hanger suffered. Thought the Bleriot was really smashed, it was repaired pretty quickly.

I might have missed a few, but I'm getting old and don't have a list handy!

Last edited by Jerry O'Neill on Mon Dec 30, 2013 12:44 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[gale_dono]

Best that I can recall, the lost aircraft were:
C-124, C-133, HU-16, Connie, Convair CT-29 (nose at Soplata's), Sea Knight, (2) F-102's, Mohave, H-19, F-8, A-4, F-86H, C-119, C-54, and F4D Skyray.

Damaged ones in the outside display photos that were repaired or are still there: B-57, Neptune, B-29, B-25H, B-17, F-89, F-104, F-100, Hound Dog, and B-47.

Aircraft replaced: F-86, F4D, A-4, F-8, HU-16.
This doesn't count the more minor dings some of the aircraft in the display hanger suffered. Thought the Bleriot was really smashed, it was repaired pretty quickly.

I might have missed a few, but I'm getting old and don't have a list handy!

Does anyone know the tail number of the destroyed F-86H?

[Jerry O'Neill]

NEAM's F-86H was 53-1264.

[Steve Nelson]

Thanks for the info..I didn't realize so many airframes were lost! Mother Nature can be a real..er.."strawberry."

SN

[whistlingdeath77]

What plane Is in the background to the left? Looks like the p-51 racing mustang? This was the world war 2 hanger destroyed

[Jerry O'Neill]

Frank, that's not a P-51. That is a Hispano HA-1112 Buchon. It was on loan and I'm not sure, but I think it' a flyer now. The hangar wasn't destroyed as much as it was the roof covering that came off and exposed the inside to debris and wind damage.

[whistlingdeath77]

Thanks jerry for the correct info. Even that b-25 took a beating

[Chief]

Barrie,
Thanks for letting me know the tail number of the C-124 that was destroyed and the photo.
Here is a photo of her earlier in her career. It was taken in 1958, earlier in my career.

[whistlingdeath77]

Chief, is this your engine?


That a pretty picture! Any more would be great

[Chief]

Yes. That is a C-124 engine. There is not much remaining undamaged to identify it. It is laying upside down with the bottom cowling section facing up This bottom cowling has the oil cooler air scoop partially visible behind the twisted prop tip. The four cowling latches are the most recognizable items. It was the only engine that used this type of quick release latches that were shaped at different angles to fit the shape of the cowling.

The white fiberglass prop cuffs are another identifying item.

When I was flying C-124's, I thought they were really tough aircraft and could handle anything. However, it looks like a tornado was too much for a C-124.

With this discovery of 51-0119's demise, there were 11 C-124's that were not scrapped when they were all parked after the discovery of the wing issue.

[whistlingdeath77]

Considering a f-4 tornado took it and flipped the entire thing upside down is just darn scary. New England is not known for tornadoes at all,( up until a couple years ago.) without any type of warning in 1979, it took vintage warbirds and threw them around like they were tinker toys. Aircraft that were made to go to war, take damage, haul heavy cargo etc. we're no match for a twister. Very surreal and unfortunate that many were demolished. But VERY fortunate that some examples were able to live on. I.e- b-29, b-17, b-25, xf4u-4, p-47, a-26

[whistlingdeath77]

[Cherrybomber13]

Out Back by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr


Out Back by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr

[whistlingdeath77]

Excellent photos drew. It was very sad back there wasn't it? Like a grave yard of great planes cut short by not a foreign enemy, but a tornado.

[whistlingdeath77]

World war 2 hanger.