F-89 Scorpion at the EAA Museum in Oshkosh

[Steven M. Dennis]

This is probably a question best posted to Zachary our inside guy at the EAA headquarters, but does anyone know anything about the Scorpion sitting on it's tail at the museum? There is a picture posted of it on their website, (not sure if the link will take you to photo or not, but it's the fourth one in the slide show.... ) Did it tip backwards from the weight of all of the snow on the tail? There is no doubt that we are receiving a lot of snow this year, but I didn't think it would be enough to send the F-89 over backwards.

http://www.eaa.org/photos/eaasnow/

Also Zach, do you know if the museum is going to do the "Open Cockpit Days" thing this spring?

Thanks for any info.

Steve

[Swiss Mustangs]

here's the same ship - also in snow..... standing straight

http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Ai ... ir/1018902

and one without snow

http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Ai ... ir/0858824

[Zachary]

It was a buildup of ice and snow on the wings and tail section that did it. Without engines and most of the internal gizmology, the F-89 is tailheavy, and when we got about 8-10 inches of snow two (or was it three?) weekends ago it went right over. A number of the maintenance staff went out and brushed all the snow and ice off, and it came right back up.

I am not sure if there is going to be an Open Cockpit Day or not, but you'll probably be able to climb into some of the airplanes during the Family Flight Fest on Saturday and Sunday, March 8-9.

Zack

[Steven M. Dennis]

Thanks Zack for the info. And thanks Martin for the additional pics.

Steve