What is your choice for the best jet warbird ever?

[RickH]

Rob, don't know of anyone flying the F-101 or F-105 or even trying to bring one back to flight status. I got the 104 but missed the others, thanks for catching that Rob.

[RickH]

Mr. O.P.,.... by your own survey criteria your selection of the A-6 does not meet the specifications you, yourself laid out. The A-6 is not currently in civilian ownership nor are any listed on the FAA registration lists. Consequently until such tima as those things happen, your own favorite A-6, while a very fine aircraft, is inelligble to be included in the survey entitled " Best Jet Warbird ".

Checkmate !!

[O.P.]

Mr Mennie: As soon as the gubmint gives me a Colling deal on an A-6, you can have a ride. Until then, Undecided.

Mr Dan: That counts! Decided! A very wise choice sir!

Mr Shepard: Undecided
Mr Bear: Undecided

Mr H: No voting twice

Mr Dales: You can vote twice. Decided. Awesome decision sir!

Mr Rohr: Undecided

.....................................................................................

Meawhile back at SURVEYKING! labs in sunny California,

Dr O.P. PHD: Hmmmmmmm, early polling results seem to indicate that WIXers with a preference for "The Best Jet Warbird Ever" are overwhelmingly choosing the A-6 intruder. In fact, 100 percent of WIXers with a preference, choose the A-6 Intruder!

O.P.: (Nods head solemly) yes, yes, YES! I knew it! This vindicates me! I will take this scientific evidence back to the WIX Hangar and show all there, that I have conclusive evidence that YES! The A-6 Intruder is the BEST JET WARBIRD EVER!!!!!!!

[O.P.]

Mr. O.P.,.... by your own survey criteria your selection of the A-6 does not meet the specifications you, yourself laid out. The A-6 is not currently in civilian ownership nor are any listed on the FAA registration lists. Consequently until such tima as those things happen, your own favorite A-6, while a very fine aircraft, is inelligble to be included in the survey entitled " Best Jet Warbird ".

Checkmate !!

David Tallichet has two.

Civilian owned meets criteria.

I'm a scientist, I have to know these things to be impartial.

[RickH]

Ah, therein lies the rub ! Does Mr. Tallichet actually hold ownership title or are those two actually on LOAN from the Navy ? If the latter they do not qualify as civilian warbirds.

And I wasn't voting twice, especially as I haven't yet cast a vote ! I was merely pointing out a discrepancy in your flawed master plan !

[Former Member]

Judging from personal experience I would have to go with the A-10 Warthog. I witnessed these lethal vultures hovering over the sands of southern Iraq during the 1st Gulf War and felt sorry for the poor bastards on the receiving end of that 30mm gatling gun...spewing out those depleted uranium shells. Quite an awesome sight I can asure you!!!!

John

[O.P.]

Ah, therein lies the rub ! Does Mr. Tallichet actually hold ownership title or are those two actually on LOAN from the Navy ? If the latter they do not qualify as civilian warbirds.

And I wasn't voting twice, especially as I haven't yet cast a vote ! I was merely pointing out a discrepancy in your flawed master plan !

Hmmmm, good call. Someone told me a year or so ago that he did own them. I can't be sure though. It does make sense. If he didn't own them, why would the Navy let him keep them in pieces in outside storage? I thought they had standards for loaners I don't know for sure if he owns them or not. Maybe a helpful wixer will set this straight.

Another one would be Kalaero. If he doesn't have a whole one, he certainly has some big chunks of one. I think I saw it on Barnstormers for sale.

The surveying method isn't flawed. Not voting for the A-6, counts as an "Undecided" vote. This leaves the opportunity open for you to vote for the A-6 in the future, when your mind is right.

Good science is always helpful like that.

[spookyboss]

F-105D

[RickH]

O.P. he may own the A-6s but I'll bet he got them out of the DRMO and key pieces have been demilled therefore forever rendering them incapable of flight. I know that Lal Aero has significant A-6 components and one early F-4 with a cracked spar. but big pieces do not an airframe make !

There is also the privately owned F-18 fuselage, gutted to be sure but it is out there. Rich at Saturn Aviation has it and it will take multiple millions to return it to the air. It was released legally through a glitch in the DRMO system and was one of the items that prompted the ill fated demil legislation that was killed.

[DIK SHEPHERD]

There was/is a civilian owned A-6 at Chino a few years ago. It was being built from parts by, I don't know who, and was on the South side of the field, in the old Lockheed hangers. It was moved over to the North side and was parked for some time. I don't know who has it now, or where it's at.

Also, there was an ex-Blue Angels F/A 18 for sale on ebay a while back and it was said to be flyable, with some work.

Last edited by DIK SHEPHERD on Fri May 12, 2006 3:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[TimAPNY]

What is the story on the A-6 at Yankee Air Museum? I heard there was some question over who really owned that airframe. Is that true and who are the potential owners?

Tim

[RickH]

Dik, the F-18 you mentioned is the one that slipped through the DRMO system undemilled. It was DEFINITELY NOT flyable. No engines, gutted systems, no black boxes, not even sure it had landing gear. It was gray when acquired and it wasn't until they started sanding that they found the B/A paint underneath the gray. Air Capital Warbirds had it, put it on EBAY and it was actually owned by Rich Kilby of Saturn Aviation in Mojave. I guess Rich has it at his place now.

[Sabremech]

Have to go with the fast and sleek looking F86 hands down !!!

[Firebird]

Easy..........English Electric Lightning.......

With the F8 Crusader (are any airworthy though?), Buccaneer, Sea Vixen and Canadair Sabre all tying for second place.

[Elroy13]

I would have to say, the F-105 THUNDERCHIEF!!!