Japanese warbirds at NAS Willow Grove

[Kaigun Fan]

Hello,

I was happy to see that the Me-262 from NAS Willow Grove is restored and stored inside now. I just wonder what happened to some of the rare Japanese warbirds that used to be stored outside such as the "Jill". "George", etc. They were just left outside to the elements. This is especially bad because of the rarity of these airplanes. The "Jill" was just one of two survivors in the world.

Thanks,

Ron

[Michel Lemieux]

I could be wrong but......

I think they initially all went to NASM and where all put in storage.

The George eventualy went to Champlin for static restoration on loan.

Again, I could be proven wrong.

I am not sure if the Arado ended up in Pensacola.

[DonL]

I was at NAS Willow Grove a couple of weeks ago and was told by one of the volunteers that the Japanese planes and the ar-196 went to Pensacola. I grew up in the area and I remember that back in the 60's they had a P-40 anyone know what happened to that?

[Waltz41]

if i remember correctly, the arado was taken back by the navy and was being shipped down to pensacola.......when it was destroyed on it's way down. the truck carrying it went into a tunnel or bridge that it didn't have clearance on and the plane was smashed and then written off as a lost.

brian

[DaveM2]

Can you get that confirmed ? I have had a picture of it sitting in storage at Pensacola for some time ( or perhaps I was misinformed where the photo was taken). Something like that would have been more widely reported I would have thought. Although 'written off' these days doesn't mean it can't be rebuilt.

Dave

[DonL]

Wow, looks like Waltz41 is right. I found this link that verifies that it was damaged in transport. http://www.preservedaxisaircraft.com/

[Gregory]

I would venture that the website photo refers to the old days in the open at Willow Grove - can anyone confirm?

There is difference between damaged and written off. Taking the route he had been advised to avoid, a driver managed to strike the leading edge of the fin of the ItAF G.55 against a bridge a few years ago. But you would hardly know it looking at the aircraft on display at Vigna di Valle today.

So here's to hope!

Gregory

[Owen Miller]

The Arado was not destroyed in the overpass accident,
only damaged. It is stored with the Lake Birds in a
building at NAS Pensacola. It was not damaged by Ivan
but the building was so all the birds are to be moved to
another building.

Blue skies,
Owen

[Waltz41]

i just remember the willow grove museum curator using those words, but i think he probably exagerated a bit then........his point, which he brought up to the navy was one of it was better off where it was (willow grove) then being smashed during delievery. i agree if they could of gotten it indoors. at least there is hope then!

brian

[DonL]

Owen, I guess its good news to hear that it is only damaged. Do you have any idea as to the degree of damage? An airplane chained to the back of a flatbed wouldn't stand much of a chance going through a low underpass.

[DaveM2]

Just got a mail from Gary at the Museum and he can confirm the above..doesn't make good reading to say the least

Dave

[DonL]

Dave can you elaborate a bit more on Gary's email? Badly damaged? Destroyed? Rebuildable?

[Swiss Mustangs]

Here are a few photos of the NAS Willow Grove 'line'...


http://gais.demon.nl/Aircraft/Aircraft0 ... aft008.htm

http://gais.demon.nl/Aircraft/Aircraft0 ... aft009.htm

http://gais.demon.nl/Aircraft/Aircraft0 ... aft038.htm

Martin

[bdk]

Here are a few photos of the NAS Willow Grove 'line'...

And a nice photo fo the POF/TAM Me-262 now with FHC (Oops- hope that isn't a secret!).



I never saw the museum when it was in Claremont, but the building stood until about 10 years ago. I think a strip mall is located there now. There was a road/taxiway to nearby Cable Airport (Upland, CA) as I recall.

[DaveM2]

Dave can you elaborate a bit more on Gary's email? Badly damaged? Destroyed? Rebuildable?

Don

PM me for details.

Dave