A quick visit to Cavanaugh

Jim,

I don't want to preempt a response from Doug, but the last time this particular Panther flew was at least 8 years ago.

Julian

Julian - I was fairly sure it had been a long time since that Panther had flown. I asked because I often see comments made here and there that suggest the aircraft is "flyable," but have never seen any indication it had actually flown in recent years.

I have hoped to someday see a Panther in flight - I came close several years ago when one took off from Kalamazoo, Michigan for the NAS Oceana air show but unfortunately suffered a non-fatal crash shortly after take-off. As far as I know that particular Panther has never flown since.

Thanks for the information.

Jim C.

[Eric Friedebach]

Plexi MLG wheel covers?

Love ‘em!

[needle]

Jim,

Well that's the last time it was flown......

It was recently (last year?) out on the ramp for an engine run, but there were a few problems with relays/solenoids/ignition etc, and getting them all to operate at the right time in the right sequence.

I would think it could certainly be put back in the air without too much work....if Jim/Doug chose to..... however there are so many other things being worked on by maintenance that it probably is not even on the list at this point in time.

3rd Bell47 build, Corsair engine, Stearman engine, polished T6 rebuild, P47 build, maintaining other T6, Stearman, TBM, Wildcat, P51, Mohawk, C47, Sea Fury, H13 and PT19 airworthy for airshows/rides, as well as maintaining Jims company aircraft (2 Falcon jets, 2, Eurocopters and a Bonanza) all tend to keep the 4 or 5 person maintenance team occupied full time! (And the above list doesn't even take into account the work required to the Spitfire, He111, and servicing of newly acquired T28, together with any other surprises/acquisitions Jim or Doug may have up there sleeve).

I think we would all like to see all of the collection flown all of the time, but basically you have to be realistic about where and when the money gets spent, and where there is a chance of some return on the time/money investment in order to carry on supporting the collection.

Julian

[needle]

Zane,

I'm not sure, but that "elderly veteran" looks just like Jim Cavanaugh. He was out flying the T6 from the back seat, with Kevin, the Assistant museum director in the front.

And if that is the day I think it was, I must have walked right past you as you were taking the picture, when I walked over from maintenance to hanger 2 to get some paperwork.

Julian

[Ztex]

Julian,

I didn't know who was in the T-6...but it sure made 'em happy!

It was on Wednesday morning just before noon. We were about to leave when I heard the T-6 fly over. I ran back out on the ramp to see them taxi in. I asked one guy that was walking across if that was "your" T-6. he said yep!

Was that you? I saw another young guy walk in the hanger, around the TBM and into a room on the side...that you?

It was fun to visit...I always feel weird asking people if they are WIXer's...so far all I gotten is a funny look...I will have to keep asking

Great Museum!

Z

[Steve Nelson]

I have hoped to someday see a Panther in flight - I came close several years ago when one took off from Kalamazoo, Michigan for the NAS Oceana air show but unfortunately suffered a non-fatal crash shortly after take-off. As far as I know that particular Panther has never flown since.

As a former docent, I can tell you that aircraft was donated to the Kalamazoo Air Zoo after the crash. The plane overshot the runway, and ploughed into an embankment. Pretty much everything forward of the wing was destroyed, and the rest of the airframe was pretty banged up as well. The carcass sat stashed in a T-hangar for many years, before being auctioned off last year (I'm not sure to whom.)

I got to see the Panther share the sky with the Air Zoo's "Flight of the Grumman Cats" on several occaisions..it was quite a sight!

Cheers!

Steve

[needle]

Spitfire slipper tank at Cavanaugh. It holds 90 gallons (108 US), doubles the range of a Spitfire and can be jettisoned in flight, if required. Appears to be an original.
Photos for Bill:








Julian

[Bill Greenwood]

Julian, thanks very much for the photos of the Spitfire external tank, I don't rember seeing it when I was at the museum, or why it is called slipper. Many combat Spitfire MkIX & XVI had a tank behind the seat giving them 168US gal so adequate range. We see some of those removed now, and the 2 seater did not have this tank. My plane has the fittings installed on the belly to use a tank, but didn't come with one. I found an original one in Canada in poor shape, rusty since it was only painted sheet steel, and Nelson Ezell built a new one from scratch out of aluminum with steel attaches. Mine is 60 gal, only weighs about 40lbs empty, installs without tools. Nelson is a wizard in rebuilding, that may be where Gary got so good. The engine cuts immedialtely when it is empty, but promptly fires again when the main is back on. I use it on certain long trips, so I have a 3 hour range to empty, but I don't do any acro with it on.

[FG1D Pilot]

A visitor to the museum, from England, told me that as a kid they would cut the top off of the slipper tanks and make boats out of them. I think they called them "Slipper Tanks" because they slipped under the fuselage and slipped off when jettisoned.

[Lightning]

Howdy all

Is there anyone who might have detailed photo's of the Museum's TBM Emerson Turret (interior) ?
Any help would be much appreciated !

Thanks

Lightning

[Aircraft Mech Paul]

Hi Guys,

great pic's !! But they raise a couple of questions. And please bear in mind that I don't know all that much about Cavanaugh's aircraft. So, that being said...what kind of shape are the German aircraft in ? Complete ? Rebuilt from wreckage(s) ? If airworthy, does the -109 (Buchon ?) fly at all ? And again, if airworthy and complete, does the He-111 (Spanish built version ?) fly or is it even airworthy ??

Just questions from an idle mind

Paul

[Chad Veich]

Hi Guys,

great pic's !! But they raise a couple of questions. And please bear in mind that I don't know all that much about Cavanaugh's aircraft. So, that being said...what kind of shape are the German aircraft in ? Complete ? Rebuilt from wreckage(s) ? If airworthy, does the -109 (Buchon ?) fly at all ? And again, if airworthy and complete, does the He-111 (Spanish built version ?) fly or is it even airworthy ??

Just questions from an idle mind

Paul

The Buchon came from the UK, via Denny Sherman, and was flyable when acquired. I don't think the CASA has been flyable for a long time.

[Ztex]

The He-111 flew in to Addison and hasn't flown since then; @ 1995

[Bill Greenwood]

I saw Lad fly the Buchon 109 as well as Denny and Scott Sherman. One thing about it, you don't have a long line of guys begging you to fly it. I've seen some pretty good pilots take 1 step back when the call went out for volunteers.

[spookyboss]

The HE-111 was at the Combat air museum in Topeka, KS and I was there when it was being ready for ferry to TX. the day when Jim showed up to take her home he came in his mustang Sorry I had to say that anyhow after takeoff they made several passes with the P-51 chasing the HE-111. Yes it was cool and I won't forget it.