Working Warbirds ?

[aseanaero]

I was wondering how many ex-military fixed wing aircraft are still working after retirement from the military

I can think of a couple of turbine and jet examples

OV-10 Bronco - fire spotting for the California Forestry Dept

A4 Skyhawk - Advanced Training Systems International

I can't think of any older piston engined 'working warbirds' , most of the older air tankers have been retired , anyone ?

Also with the right permits in place for restricted commercial ops what uses can you think of for ex military types ?

For the OV-10 I was thinking about a fuel tanker into remote mountainous strips utilising the external tanks, internal cargo bay and STOL performance , cloud seeding and search and rescue.

Other types and uses ?

[PJ]

Raytheon has 2 or 3 A-3 Skywarriors at Van Nuys as avionics test ships.

PJ
PV-2 Harpoon "Hot Stuff"
www.amhf.org

[cozmo]

Would the civilian C-130 count?

Or, the Martin Mars water bomber?

There are some HU-16 still flying, I don't know if any are working though.

[jet1]

...heaven forbid if you found one available then actually put it back in the air. The govt. would think you were plotting to take over the country with it.

[BLR]

The National Research Council of Canada operate a 1951 CCF Harvard 4 (C-FPTP) and a 1954 Canadair T-33 (C-FSKH).

Brian.

[DB2]

The Raspet Flight Research Lab at Mississippi State still operates a 450 Stearman as a tug aircraft (for gliders, UAV tests, sensor packages, etc). It has been in continuous service since 1950, when it served as the prototype/test aircraft for most of the cropduster STCs.

[aseanaero]

A Skyraider would be a cool cropduster

[Vessbot]

Plenty of T-6es hard at work hauling rides all over the country.

[jet1]

A Skyraider would be a cool cropduster

loose LOTS of money fast....not to mention the OIL pollution you would sling out on the plants

[airnutz]

NASA still employs two Martin WB-57F's..It's great to see the the beasties in the air from time to time..
http://jsc-aircraft-ops.jsc.nasa.gov/wb57/history.html

[lestweforget]

I think Martin-Baker are still using two Gloster Meteors for ejection seat trials in Chalgrove UK if I am up to date enough!!

[K5DH]

There are plenty of piston-powered warbirds around the world still engaged in money-making civilian jobs other than "warbird flight experiences". Right off the bat, I can think of these:

Mars: firefighting

PBY/Canso: firefighting (still active? maybe no longer), movie and TV work

C-45 and variants: cargo, skydiving, sightseeing, aerial survey, movie and TV work

C-47 and variants: cargo, skydiving, aerial survey, electronics test, movie and TV work

C-131 and variants: cargo, aerial survey, electronics test

C-123: cargo, electronics test, movie and TV work

Neptune: firefighting

C-54 and C-118: cargo, firefighting

DH Beaver and Otter: bush flying (passengers and light cargo)

various jets (T-33, A-3, F-4, A-4, et al): electronics test, military pilot training contracts by civilian operators, movie and TV work

. . .and I'm sure there are many more. . .

Cheers,

[airnutz]

With Russians in their backyard, 7 of these beasts are still flying over Alaska...Only the best..you betcha!
Ready to kick some pesky Russkie ass...
www.ercoupe.org/491st/491st.htm

[skydaddy61]

With Russians in their backyard, 7 of these beasts are still flying over Alaska...Only the best..you betcha!
Ready to kick some pesky Russkie ass...
www.ercoupe.org/491st/491st.htm

That's hilarious!

[bootlegger]

RAAF Point Cooks Mustang is still serving as an active RAAF Aircraft and the RAN Albatross Fleet air arm has a Firefly that is being made ready to fly.