Skyraider 139665 Restoration

[Ken]

Other than a single photo in the June 2007 Warbird Digest, I haven't seen any info on the restoration of Skyraider 139665. Can anyone provide details of the project, photos, proposed paint scheme, etc?

WD says the aircraft is owned by Neal Melton and is being restored by Westpac Restorations in Rialto, CA ...

A dear friend of mine was one of the original Sandys (see link), needless to say I just can't get enough of those A-1s.

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... =depoorter

Ken

[bdk]

Project is progressing and as of July they were planning to fly it out of Rialto. They might do some finish work in Colorado. Sorry, no photos.

The TN Museum of Aviation has their fly-in October 6 and I'll ask around to see what the latest might be. IIRC, Neal Melton will be at GML next week...maybe someone up there could ask him.

Dave G

[BK]

I just heard back from the museum today. They are still a month or two away from taking delivery. It probably won't be ready in time for the next Warbird Gathering on April 5. They sent me this photo taken in January.


BK

[Jack Cook]

By coincidence I received a email yesterday from Col Lucky Lowman who commanded the 1st SOS 1969-70 and is in the book "My Secret War" by Rick Drury X-Sea Fury owner.

[Bill Kistler]

Thanks for the info, modified so that you can see something,



Bill

[EDowning]

I can't imagine who would want one of those little ones....I guess if you had some extra Glossy Sea Blue paint and a few spare polka dots lying around, you could make something out of it.

[Warbird Kid]

NO WAY! Classic ground Vietnam markings on a SPAD are awesome!
But ya know, not as good as an EA-1E in sea-blue.

[Swiss Mustangs]

my suggestion for an accurate paint-scheme....

139665 AH-584 VA152 USS Oriskany



Martin

[Jack Cook]

http://skyraider.org/skyassn/skywarb/139665/139665.htm

[marine air]

I talked to Neal at GML and he said it would be done by Spring. It was flown by a famous person, (cant remember if he was a MOH winner or author.) Anyway it will be done accurately and will be a regular airshow attender like his P-47.

[Hal B]

Cool! It'll be good to see another of these oil-slingers back in the air.

[bax101]

how many Skyraiders are around anyways?

[Oscar Duck]

This aircraft was called "Lt. America" [a spoof on 'Capt. America'] and was flown by Lt Byron Huckee USAF who was awarded the DFC for a rescue action near Hanoi. Byron told me that it was the "closest to Hanoi pilot rescue of the war"..... [img]

http://images.google.com.au/imgres?imgu ... f%26sa%3DN

[hang the expense]

I think I worked on this bird back in 1983 at Long Beach.I think it was one of three Dave Tallichet managed to get out of Thailand.I am glad to see it underway to fly.I did not know the history which is really cool.Thanks for posting the pic.