Tulsa Airport 1953 Pic- ID the Warbird!

[tulsaboy]

Just for fun...

Though this picture from May 22, 1953 at the Tulsa airport was fun if for nothing else because of the vast number and variety of aircraft on the field. There is also an obvious warbird on the field. Everyone should be able to find it. Bonus points for IDing the specific airframe, and where it is now...

kevin

[img][img]http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g204/tulsaboy/TulsaAirport-5-22-53.jpg[/img]
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[Chris]

How about the B-24 in the lower left. Is that Delectable Doris which now belongs to Kermit Weeks?

[gtokid]

Kevin, I'm sure the warbird you are referring to is the PBY on the upper right...

But the B-24 is most likely this one:

http://www.warbirdregistry.org/b24regis ... 48781.html

Todd

[Chad Veich]

Looks to me like most of the aircraft in the picture are warbirds!

[L. Thompson]

Anyone know an identity on the tail-less Fairchild AT-21 at the bottom left corner?

[retroaviation]

I'm gonna guess the B-24 is AM927, known as Ol' 927, currently located about 20 yards from my current position, here in Midland, TX.

Gary

[tulsaboy]

Wow, gotokid sure made quick work of that one! I though some folks might take issue with my characterization of that B-24 as "the" warbird on the field...

kevin

I have no idea on the other airframes. Anyone have info? I just thought it was s fun picture to share.

[tulsaboy]

On the AT-21...

It and the B-24, along with the other trainers nearby, were all stationed at Spartan School of Aeronautics after the war, and were used as training airframes. Maybe that helps in the hunt.

kevin

[Cubs]

Great photo! Would it be possible for me to have a copy? I'd like to look at a good image with a magnifying glass.

What aircraft is that at the B-24's 5 o'clock position? A Stinson?

[retroaviation]

Man, I blew that one. I didn't look close enough at the B-24's nose and exhaust. I feel kinda stupid getting the i.d. wrong on that one.

Gary

[RMAllnutt]

Is that a Stinson Tri-motor on the taxiway near the B-24?!!! There's a B-25 heading north up the main drag in front of the hangars too, as well as an abundance of Loadstars. Very cool photo!

Cheers,
Richard

[bipe215]

Are those engine-less BT-13's below the '24?

[Second Air Force]

The Spartan B-24 is on display at Barskdale AFB currently.

Scott

[GIJOE290]

I need a magnifying glass just to see half of them.

Neat photo. Thanks for sharing it.

[Second Air Force]

Just a little side comment about Kevin's photograph--of all the buildings on the airport side of this picture, the only structure still standing today is the hangar just to the B-24's right. The rest of the buildings were torn down in the name of "progress", including the two Spartan hangars (just above the one I referred to in this paragraph) that were built in the 1920s. The center hangar went down just a few years ago, and it has just recently been announced that the Tulsa Airport Authority has purchased the rest of the Spartan hangar and classroom complex that lies to the left of this picture. When they complete the demolition of this group of buildings (so that they can build a better street from the terminal) , the only WWII structures left on the airport will be the Douglas plant and the four mod hangars on the AA maintenance base. The historic buildings and hangars from WWII are being torn down not just in Tulsa but at many other facilities, so if you are able, take photos of them before the wrecking ball shows up.