Skyraider from France coming to the US

[baldursveins]

Here are a few photos of AD-4NA ex 126956 while in Reykjavík waiting for favourable conditions to cross the Greenland glacier for Narsarsuak and then Goose Bay. The pilot is Fred R. Cabanas. Don't know where it will go though.
Landing on August 15.

Sunshine in Iceland on the 16th.

Taking off for the states on the 19th. Have not seen many photos showing the gear turning on retraction.

[gary1954]

Thanks for flashing us these excellent Photgraphs man, thanks

[n5151ts]

...you need something that big to carry your balls if you are willing to try that adventure out!

[gary1954]

Yeppperssss that is quite a haul, and alone too. magine it is totin enough gas though

[baldursveins]

Fred said that fuel was no problem but the engine used a lot of oil. He only had 4.5 hours worth, so for the long stretches over the ocean that was the limiting factor.

Last edited by baldursveins on Thu Aug 21, 2008 3:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Ken]

I'd been watching that airplane on http://www.courtesyaircraft.com/ and, not only was I a little short of cash, and have a hangar with a door that's too short, but I wasn't thrilled about the red tape required to bring an A-1 in from another country. Thrilled to see she's in such good shape and up to the long haul across the pond. Rumor has it she's bound for TN?

Fantastic photos - thanks!

Ken

[gary1954]

If it was "Made in USA" how much of a hang-up could it have been? Having never imported an aircraft from another country I wouldn't have a clue as to the "difficulty" in returning an aircraft to its home country (USA), but once a long long time ago, I checked into draging a T-6 back into America from Mexico, and the Customs folks told me that as long as its data plate said Made in USA, it was not a problem.
So, what is hang up other than it being "an instrument of war" if capable of delivering weaponary?
Not picking at you, just a question... we be

[51fixer]

If it was "Made in USA" how much of a hang-up could it have been? Having never imported an aircraft from another country I wouldn't have a clue as to the "difficulty" in returning an aircraft to its home country (USA), but once a long long time ago, I checked into draging a T-6 back into America from Mexico, and the Customs folks told me that as long as its data plate said Made in USA, it was not a problem.
So, what is hang up other than it being "an instrument of war" if capable of delivering weaponary?
Not picking at you, just a question... we be

The issue is the A/C was sent away under a Military Assistance Program. That is becoming a big hang up for bring them back.
Rich

[baldursveins]

Are we talking about a very changed environment from 1978 when five AD-4NAs from the same batch were brought to the US via the same route. Somewhere I have photos of most of them.

[gary1954]

Figures 51fixer if the government is involved, it is always going to be a clusterPuck

[Ken]

Somewhere I have photos of most of them.

Baldur - If you ever come across the other AD-4 photos, please post them!

[Chris]

Ask Ray Diekman about bring the Bearcat back from France. From what I understand, the red tape was a nightmare.

[Thomas]

Great article in the latest version of "Aviation History" on the Skyraider. Anyone catch it? So many versions!

[n5151ts]

mig tanks to me...

[Bradburger]

So it was Fred Cabanas that was ferrying this Skyraider to the US.

He stopped off at Duxford on the 13th August with some engine problems, as reported in TFC's blog:

http://friends-of-tfc.blogspot.com/2008 ... xford.html

It seems the boys at ARC took a look and sorted things out.

I'm always amazed at the Skyraiders agility and always enjoy watching the former TFC example, which is now owned by Kennet aviation, display.

Here it is displaying at the intimate Woodchurch Wings & Thigs Show in 2005.

Maybe when all the red tape with this new import is sorted, Mr Cabanas will be able to put on one of his spirited displays in it!

Cheers

Paul