F-100 and F-101 - Snyder, TX???

Mon May 11, 2009 10:19 am

http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/Locator.php?Serial=9131

Anyone know anything about these birds in BFE, TX (trust me ... if you've been there you would understand, right Brad? )

Are they still there? Are they accessible? and the big question is what are they doing there?

Thanks,

Z

Mon May 11, 2009 2:59 pm

Zane,

They're still there on GE, sittin' by their lonesome selves on a pad just north of the runway 35/26 intersection. Another one of those "go figure" kinda things....

Mon May 11, 2009 3:46 pm

There are a few F-101 airframes listed with the FAA as in civilian hands. Now there would be a real restoration project!!

Tom P.

Mon May 11, 2009 5:21 pm

Ah yes...my tribal and ancestral hometown of Snyder-By God-Texas. When I was a kid I spent untold hours roaming around that airport, did a lot of flying, shooting coyotes out of a Super Cub and caught lots of rattle snakes out in the grass beside the runways. I doubt anybody has ever known the lay of that land like I did between the ages of 11 and 18! There used to be an old Ayers Thrush sitting out where the jets are, I spent many hours playing in it.

As for the F-101, I was told about four or five years ago that the Texas Air Museum was going to open a chapter in Snyder. It never materialized as far as I know but that could be where they came from. I'll be riding the motorcycle through Snyder in a couple of weeks so I'll see if I can take a look.

Mon May 11, 2009 10:10 pm

I'd be curious to know what the S/N of the F-100 is? My dad used to be a crew chief on F-100's (it runs in the family I guess). Just a one in a million shot that it's one that he might have worked on.

Mon May 11, 2009 10:52 pm

Wow, love to get so shots of these birds if they are accessable. Next time I visit my in-laws in Sweetwater I could swing up there. Might not be until sometime next month or so...

Let us know what you find Brad!

Mon May 11, 2009 11:53 pm

Brad, Stop by or give me a call before I head out to Salem again in a few weeks.

Kel

Tue May 12, 2009 8:37 am

A lot of West Texas folks on the board...cool!

I'll be through there next month as well...I'll have to stop by and see what I can see.

Tue May 12, 2009 8:46 am

Heck, I may just mosey out there this week.

Gary

Tue May 12, 2009 9:44 am

Very cool indeed! Get some good photos for us Gary if you head out there this week.

I was in Sweetwater this past weekend for Mother's Day so I don't think I'll be back out there before June sometime but who knows?

Wed May 13, 2009 3:49 pm

Well, first of all....that ain't no F-100........... ;-)

I tried to get pictures of any type of marking on the airplanes. I know they're bad pics, but the planes are pretty well worn........

And here's pictures of the Voodoo.......

While I was there, I met with a fella to discuss the jets, and he wanted to show me his hangar. It was neat and all, but what was funny is that we apparently disturbed a squadron of migratory bats that were using his roof as a Motel 6. They kept buzzing us and I tried to get what pictures I could. They, too, are poor pictures, but when you're being buzzed by bats and laughing at the same time, it's hard to get a picture worth a darn. (and no, we didn't get touched or bit by any of them, in case any of y'all are worried about me getting rabies). ;-)

Gary

Wed May 13, 2009 4:34 pm

Way cool!

Thanks Gary!

So was the gate open or did you talk someone into letting you out there?
and
What's the story with them?

I guess you really can't tell squat from space...I guess if I would have noticed the pointy shadow... :roll:

of course I was corrupted by Mike's site...

Wed May 13, 2009 4:48 pm

Yeah, I spoke with someone while I was there. There's a little bit of a story, but that may need to wait for a little bit. ;-)

Gary

Wed May 13, 2009 5:51 pm

2954 CLSS - that is a combat logistics unit - or was - guess at one point the bird was a practice unit for battle damage repairs. It looks like the Voodoo is pretty well gutted - being used as a parts plane for another one?

Tom P.

Wed May 13, 2009 6:03 pm

I was told the 105 was a combat vet from 'Nam. However, the fella I spoke with didn't recall the particulars, other than it served its final days with a Guard Unit. I believe the 101 had a similar story, although it is a reconnisance model.

Gary