California Aviation Museums Question

mrhenniger · **Posted:** Mon Sep 18, 2006 3:47 pm

Has anyone heard of a museum by the name of "A Wing and a Prayer Military Museum" in Tehachapi? Is/was there one there?

Mike

Ollie · **Posted:** Mon Sep 18, 2006 3:55 pm

http://www.home.earthlink.net/%7Etspairport/

http://www.tehachapicentral.com/community008001.html

http://www.tehachapicentral.com/community008.html

mrhenniger · **Posted:** Tue Sep 19, 2006 7:03 am

Who owns the Tulare B-17? If it is the NMUSAF who is it loaned to? Is this the Tulare B-17?... 36 09 10.62 N 119 19 52.45 W

Is there a F-4 displayed at an AMVETS in Tulare? If so where?

Mike

RareBear · **Posted:** Tue Sep 19, 2006 7:47 am

There is an F-4C (64-00912) located at Mefford Field in Tulare, along with the B-17. There isn't any evidence of one at the AMVETS location.

Walt

visaliaaviation · **Joined:** Mon Jul 03, 2006 2:01 pm **Posts:** 353

I see these aircraft quite often. It is my understanding that the -17 is still owned by the USAF. Since I've lived in the area ('81), the bomber has been hit by trucks careening of Hwy 99, twice. She could be brought back, but the fuselage between the wing and tail is largely cosmetic.

mrhenniger · **Posted:** Tue Sep 19, 2006 2:41 pm

Does anyone know if there is an F-102 or T-2 displayed in Clovis someplace?

Mike

TimAPNY · **Posted:** Tue Sep 19, 2006 3:02 pm

Fresno has several a/c at the airport. I know they have an F-86, F-106 and a few other, I think a P-51 and F-102. I'm not sure if the airport is close to Clovis lie or not so that could be what they are referring too. I seem to recall it could be. They were visible to the public several years ago but I'm not sure if they still are.

NAS Lemoore has several aircraft on display but I would be shocked if you can get to them. They sometimes have a A-4 right out side of the main gate but I would not bet on it being there. But I'm pretty sure there is an A-7 on a stick in a park in the town of Lemoore, I can’t recall where.

The B-17 and F-4C are right next to each other off I-99. Google it and make sure you don’t miss the proper exit as its several miles to the next if I recall correctly.

If you are in that area I know of a great place in Hanover too eat and be careful in Fresno, it has some bad sections.

Tim
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ww2John · **Posted:** Tue Sep 19, 2006 8:18 pm

Many surviving B17 questions are answered in Scott Thompson's invaluable B17 reference Final Cut (2nd edition). In it, Scott indicates that the B17-G 44-85738 Preston's Pride on outside display in Tulare, CA is "on permanent loan to the Tulare Amvets chapter 56".

To me, the irony about this B17 is that it survived two atomic tests (as a Mother Ship to the drones) during its military service and has since almost succumbed to the "peace"; vandals, weather and at least two truck accidents. :cry:

mrhenniger · **Posted:** Wed Sep 20, 2006 6:45 am

RareBear wrote:

There is an F-4C (64-00912) located at Mefford Field in Tulare, along with the B-17. There isn't any evidence of one at the AMVETS location.

Walt

The B-17 is located at...
36 09 10.62 N 119 19 52.45 W

Where is the F-4? Is it beside the B-17 as Tim suggested? Is this it?...
36 09 11.80 N 119 19 54.68 W
This looks like it may be a display compound, but I don't see a F-4 shape there.

Mike

mrhenniger · **Posted:** Wed Sep 20, 2006 7:25 am

TimAPNY wrote:

NAS Lemoore has several aircraft on display but I would be shocked if you can get to them. They sometimes have a A-4 right out side of the main gate but I would not bet on it being there. But I'm pretty sure there is an A-7 on a stick in a park in the town of Lemoore, I can’t recall where.

I am looking around for something that may be a runway around Lemoore, but I am not seeing one. Can you give me directions?

Mike

mrhenniger · **Posted:** Wed Sep 20, 2006 10:37 am

I am still fishing. I hope everyone here doesn't mind me asking so many questions.

Roger Cain gave me some more info, but it also leaves a few new questions. Here they are...

>Merced Airport: Lockheed T-33
>Watts-Woodland: T-37 Tweet
>Sonoma County Airport (Schellville) Lockheed PV-2
>Nut Tree Airport: Lockheed 18, UH-1, Lockheed/Howard Tri-Gear

Are the examples in this list all all privately owned? Or maybe a few of them are gate guards, pole mounted etc?

>Alameda (ex NAS) F-8 Crusader

Is this one part of the USS Hornet Museum?

>Mather Airport : two Russian helo's

Owned by a company?

>Amador Airport - RF-86

Amador??? Is this the name of a town?

>Fresno Airport - ANG base - dozen military a/c

Is this the same one as the Fresno Air Terminal? I think there is only 6 airframes displayed there. I found some indication there may be a pole mounted F-86 at the ANG, but I was not able to see it using Google Earth. That doesn't mean it isn't there.

Looking forward to anyone may have. In the mean time you can check out my updated list at...
http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/Locator.html#USA_CA

Regards,

Mike

TimAPNY · **Posted:** Wed Sep 20, 2006 10:41 am

Alameda is a A-7(E?) Corsair II. Anyone have the Buno off that airframe? I need it form my records.

I also think there is an A-4 floating around the old base, unless that is the one that the USS Hornet has on deck.

mrhenniger · **Posted:** Wed Sep 20, 2006 10:50 am

TimAPNY wrote:

Alameda is a A-7(E?) Corsair II. Anyone have the Buno off that airframe? I need it form my records.

My question is... Is the A-7 part of the Hornet collection?

TimAPNY wrote:

I also think there is an A-4 floating around the old base, unless that is the one that the USS Hornet has on deck.

There is one at the high school. Go to my list and look up the high school in Alameda. There is a link to pinpoint it on the map.

Mike

TimAPNY · **Posted:** Wed Sep 20, 2006 11:46 am

The A-7 has been there far longer than the USS Hornet Museum, I'm not sure if the Museum has taken over care for it or not.

Check out this location,
37 46 22.69 N 122 17 21.44 W

Tim

Also about NAS Lemoore, I'm looking for the A-7 in the park now

Inside the Base is a AD-6 137602, A-4F 150033, A-7E 160122 and F/A-18A 161366. There is not an A-4 outside the gate by the looks of Google maps, Which means its most likely floating around base somewhere, I remember if over by the AIMD Jet Shop but I doesn't look like it is ther now. I have pictures of all but the missing A-7 and A-4 if you need them Mike.

Tim

mrhenniger · **Posted:** Wed Sep 20, 2006 12:59 pm

TimAPNY wrote:

Check out this location,
37 46 22.69 N 122 17 21.44 W

That isn't the A-7. That is the A-4 at the high school I mentioned before.

TimAPNY wrote:

Also about NAS Lemoore, I'm looking for the A-7 in the park now.

Inside the Base is a AD-6 137602, A-4F 150033, A-7E 160122 and F/A-18A 161366.

Please send coordinates!

Mike

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