executive-transport warbirds?

[napoleon]

See http://www.a-26invader.co.uk/id903.html

[CAPFlyer]

Add to the list of A-26 converters - Lockheed Air Services ("LAC Super 26"), Southwest Airmotive in Dallas (no name, single ship - NX67834, the former Reyonolds Bombshell), the Phillips Petroleum's in-house conversion (N666) which was done partially based on the On Mark conversion, and the Rhodes Berry "Silver Sixty", of which only one or two were converted after the prototype.

[tulsaboy]

The CAF's B-26 Carolyn was an executive transport airplane, I believe.
The Spartan 7W "Executive" was a pre-war design that was impressed into service as a military transport, and then after the war put back into civilian executive service.
kevin

[Steve Nelson]

But was the FM-2 intended to be fast transport for the boss, or is it just one of many warbirds that have had a seat installed, for fun, back where the big radio boxes (or a fuel tank) used to live? I'm looking for true business aircraft.

Judging by the pic in the registry, the cabin looks a bit "posh" for just joyriding. The view wouldn't be all that "fighter like" either, since the windows are behind and below the wing.

SN

[PeterA]

But was the FM-2 intended to be fast transport for the boss, or is it just one of many warbirds that have had a seat installed, for fun, back where the big radio boxes (or a fuel tank) used to live? I'm looking for true business aircraft.

Judging by the pic in the registry, the cabin looks a bit "posh" for just joyriding. The view wouldn't be all that "fighter like" either, since the windows are behind and below the wing.

SN

Actually the passenger bay space was deceptive. I flew alone in the back in 1974 with Fred Edison.

There was a bench seat for two or perhaps three facing rearward up against the bulkhead at the rear of the cockpit. I remember kneeling on this bench and chatting with the pilot and even reaching forward...

There was a single seat facing forward. You could stand up.

It was all trimmed out as I recall.

Although those windows were small it was a good photo-ship.

Here, a couple of images of the formation on either side.

PeterA





..and the aeroplane itself.

[PeterA]

Peter Hambling's A-26 from a few years back.

Those entry steps say executive fit and trim to me.

PeterA

[CAPFlyer]

"Sexy Sue" (NL7079G) is an On Mark Marketeer (precursor to the Marksman), probably the only surviving one in fact. All others were either further modified into Marksmen (with full pressurization and some other modifications, including DC-6 brakes and props), demodified into A-26s, or scrapped.

[donno21]

Would Ben Hall's F-86 qualify? It could carry a second person.

[Jimmy mcgee]

L.b. Smith , a large ford dealer, based in Harrisburg , pa. Also had a rehab In Miami where they converted b 25s and a26s into executive aircraft. They did quite a few.

[Stephan Wilkinson]

Actually the passenger bay space was deceptive. I flew alone in the back in 1974 with Fred Edison.

I'm told that FM-2 is currently owned by the Collings Foundation. I've contacted them but haven't yet heard back. Anybody know if it's still flyable?

[Stephan Wilkinson]

Does anybody know of any Lockheed Harpoons that were converted for civilian executive-transport use? Of course Lodestars and Venturas were, and the Howard 500 used Harpoon landing gear, but did anybody fly any intact Harpoons?

[Lon Moer]

<>. B-23 Dragon. <>...

That's a good one. I think that every B-23/UC-67 that survived were executive conversions.