Vance AFB Airpark Aircraft Moving To New Home

[Randy Haskin]

The small group of static aircraft at Vance AFB have been moved from their former home on base to the Vance flightline, in preparation for eventual movement to a new airpark being constructed just inside the (new) front gate. It's tough to tell what the config of the new airpark will look like, but it at least appears it will be fully viewable by the public without actually passing through the gate and on to base.

The airplanes are sitting on the ramp currently. Earlier the BT-13 was parked with the rest of them, and it has been moved somewhere this week. I am hoping that it's off getting stripped and repainted.

I don't know when the new location will be finished, or when these guys will be installed out there...but for now at least they're back home on an actual flightline, their natural habitat.

[Pat Carry]

Kool! Thanks for the heads up.

[RickH]

Is the F105 still on base, Randy ?

[K5DH]

I like the fourth picture: Texan and Texan II, staring at each other.

[Randy Haskin]

Is the F105 still on base, Randy ?

Of course!

Just walked across the street and snapped an iPhone pic:

[RickH]

Lonnie, over at the Municipal Airport is a big reason that aircraft is there. He was an F105 guy who was assigned to Vance. He told me that everything was left in the jet. No demil was done. Just parked. He also told me that within the last few years the NMUSAF was making noises about pulling the 105 because it had no operational connection to Vance or its history.

[k5083]

Those planes look better maintained and more accurately painted than most AFB exhibits. Hope it continues.

August

[viking73]

Lonnie, over at the Municipal Airport is a big reason that aircraft is there. He was an F105 guy who was assigned to Vance. He told me that everything was left in the jet. No demil was done. Just parked. He also told me that within the last few years the NMUSAF was making noises about pulling the 105 because it had no operational connection to Vance or its history.

Wow Rick, really? Engine and all? She looks like she's still in great shape. Pretty neat.

-Derek

[T J Johansen]

Do they still have the A-26 down there?

T J

[RickH]

Engine and all. I was told the engine was even serviced after shutdown !

[Randy Haskin]

Do they still have the A-26 down there?

T J

Yep!

[Randy Haskin]

Here's an article that appeared in the base paper yesterday. Looks like there is a good plan behind this -- the airplanes are getting a repaint, and they're building a new facility specifically so that people can look at the airplanes without the hassle of getting on base.

They brought the BT-13 back out on the line a couple of days ago...from the look I got as I was taxiing by, it's been media blasted in prep for new paint, but not much else. I'll get some photos when I get a chance.

[Randy Haskin]

Here's a shot of the new airpark outside the front gate in the process of construction. Certainly a much nicer location than their previous home!

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=29744

[Ztex]

OUTSIDE the front gate! Cool!
That's a welcome change. There are so many A/C that have been shuttered away from the public when the gates were moved out or the base restricted tighter. Glad to see a move like this. Hope the trend continues at other bases.

I went by Cannon AFB a couple of weeks ago to see the F-84 at the back gate. The A/C is 20 yards from the guard house (by the parking area) and when I asked if I could photograph it I was told "no, you know, 911 and all..." Then I was directed to turn around to leave the gate area and had to drive with-in 20 feet of the airplane... could have snapped the pic then...but I complied with the "no" ...oh well.

Thanks for the update Randy!

[the330thbg]

Last time I was at Cannon was back in 1980. F-111's were everywhere.., what's there now?