VAC aircraft update (photos)

[wls3]

Stopped at the Valiant Air Command Museum in Titusville FL this AM.
Got lucky in that several of the aircraft were outside today.
Wanted to see status of Canberra.
Wings and tail back on and believe a fresh paint job is planned.



The F-4J restoration is complete and it has been moved into the Viet Nam hanger.



The F-105 is now in the restoration hanger.



And while the Canberra may be back together, this was not.
The agreement with the owner to return the F-86 to flight capability is moving forward.
Plenty of work going on to get it ready for the 2014 airshow in March.



Hopefully we will see it like this again soon.



F-16 just arrived in December from Vermont.



Inside the main hanger found these next to the B-25 Killer Bee.


Plenty going on at the VAC.
Looking forward to this year's airshow March 14, 15 and 16.

Last edited by wls3 on Thu Jan 09, 2014 11:21 am, edited 2 times in total.

[Jerry O'Neill]

Thanks Bill! It's been a long time since I've gone to the show. Nice to see things moving along!

[Warbird Kid]

More pics please Bill!

[wls3]

In the restoration of the F-105, the nose art has been saved.
Long before acronyms like LOL and OMG were popular.
The response to being told what was required to fly a Wild Weasel mission is
shown here, "YGBSM." The unofficial motto of the Wild Weasel crews.



Couple more photos from the VAC

Last edited by wls3 on Wed Jan 08, 2014 10:39 am, edited 1 time in total.

[UC61K]

Very nice pictures!
We are FROZEN in Chicago, so seeing great pictures of planes warms me up inside!
Post more!

[peter]

Very nice pictures. I hope they keep the Canberra in its current colors..

[Gary M]

Excellent! I will be tagging along with my wife to Orlando for some of her biz trips soon so I see a day at VAC for sure!

[Warbird Kid]

Is the Wildcat still there?

[Rajay]

In the restoration of the F-105, the nose art has been saved.
Long before acronyms like LOL and OMG were popular.
The response to being told what was required to fly a Wild Weasel mission is
shown here, "YGBSM." The unofficial motto of the Wild Weasel crews.

If I am interpreting that correctly, shouldn't it be "YG2BSM"?

PS - LOVE the Thud!!! Like the Canberra as is, too. Isn't that a flight test paint scheme?

[Pat Carry]

Thanks for the pics. The F-4 looks too good.

[Thomas_Mac]

In the restoration of the F-105, the nose art has been saved.
Long before acronyms like LOL and OMG were popular.
The response to being told what was required to fly a Wild Weasel mission is
shown here, "YGBSM." The unofficial motto of the Wild Weasel crews.

Well there ya go!
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=YGBSM

[P51Mstg]

Nice shots as usual Bill....

I have one of the F-105 nose art, glad its being saved. Its a real keeper...

The Phantom is just A$$$kicking... Super nice work there...

Mark H

[p51]

LEAPIN' LIZARDS, I had no idea they had a B-57 Canberra down there!
I went down there in 2011 with my parents and wife to the Kennedy Space Center tour, I had no idea the VAC was as big as it was. I stopped in thinking I could see it all in ten minutes or so. Man, that place doesn't look that big when you walk up to it, at all. Sadly, my family was all in the car waiting so I practically had to jog through the place, snapping photos on the move. I'm sure I missed a lot but that B-57 must have been out of the public eye at the time.
I might be back in the area next fall, and I'll for sure dedicate a few hours to this place the next time.

[Andy Marden]

Like the Canberra as is, too. Isn't that a flight test paint scheme?

It was a target-tower. For more, see:
http://www.fradu-canberras.co.uk/
Andy

[Pogmusic]

Is that really a B-57 or it is a EE Canberra B Mk something?