Ah, the XC-99! Definitely a favorite of mine!
Many years ago, I visited the XC-99 when she was on display outside Kelly AFB in San Antonio. My first thought when I saw her was, "Gee whiz, what a HUGE airplane!" She was sitting in a fenced-in compund just across the perimeter road that runs around the base. The "grass" in the compound was about 3 feet high. I almost stepped on a freakin' rattlesnake as I was backing up to try to get that huge airplane to fit in my 28mm wide-angle lens! Fortunately the snake woke up and sounded off when I was still one footstep away. I froze right where I was (with one boot up in the air!) and let him slither away. I watched over my shoulder to see which way he went, and I moved off the opposite way!
There was a young guy there as an attendant. He charged me $1.00 to go up inside the airplane, which I gladly paid. Did I mention what a HUGE airplane the XC-99 is? In the words of my late hero, Steve Irwin: "Crikey, mates!" Sadly, the flight deck was totally devoid of anything removable, the work of vandals and souvenir hunters over many years of virtual abandonment. Otherwise, the plane was very complete inside. The magnesium skin sections had corroded away to almost nothing. I could see daylight through the upper surface of the wing when I climbed up inside it. The wing must have been as thick as I am tall. Have I mentioned how HUGE that beastie is?
I was apalled at the XC-99's horrible condition. The small band of volunteers who tried to care for her were no match for the ravages of time and vandals and the lack of financial support. I remember writing an angry letter to Air Classics, which they published. It probably didn't do any good, but I felt a little better because at least I tried to stir up some interest.
Anyway, I was thrilled to hear that she was going to the Air Force Museum, where she'd truly be restored and cared for. I really look forward to seeing pictures of her when she's finished and on display.
I guess I need to dig out my photos and scan them. They're not very good, but perhaps worth seeing anyway.
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Thanks Mike
