Santa Teresa with Old Chuck

[Chris]

On the way back from Midland every year I make sure I stop in at Santa Teresa. This year, Wixer Old Chuck gave me and my daughter Shawna the super deluxe tour. I've been there several times but came away knowing more about the planes than I ever had before. The Museum is about 30 minutes west of El Paso a few miles South of I-10 at exit 8. Do yourself a favor and get out there some time.
First time I've sat in a Mustang since the loss of SUSU. A rather eerie sensation at first. That's Chuck up on the wing.

Shawna got a little P-51 time too

This P-51 only has about 16 hours on it from the factory. They start it occasionally so Mr. Macguire can hear it run.

Perfect gun bay. Chack said they had to put the plexi on because people were stealing bullets.

South African F-86 which I believe makes it a Canadaire.

How I love the Sea Fury. Still has the Bristol on it.


The Levitz P-38

As much as I've seen and photographed this plane, I never realized the flaps had been removed and skinned over for racing.


Sorry Chuck. I snuck back under the ropes when you went back into the lobby to take a pic of the back of the TBM. MY BAD!!!

Really nice FJ-2

Very stock A-26


Rocket pod and instrument panel of MiG-21


I just think the TU-2 is a cool looking plane

Looks like the inboard portion of the ailerons droop when flaps are fully deployed. He-111 had a similar arrangement.


Great Museum and it's only five bucks so make sure you leave a little something in the donation bottle. See ya next year Chuck and thanks again

[Clifford Bossie]

You made Chuck earn his keep, huh? Any day you get to the museum when he is at work you will be guarenteed a great visit. Chuck is a great guy and will spend as much time as you need.

That P-38 is also without turbos. No flaps and no turbos.

[mustangdriver]

Wow! Great pictures. Did you happen to get any of the P-40? I love that paint scheme and story behind it.

[mlenoch]

Didn't one of their Mustangs make an off field landing a few years ago?
If so, what's the status of that bird? In the shop? Sold? etc.?
Thx,
VL

[Chris]

Yup Chris, Here's a few P-40 pics. Perhaps Chuck can fill us in on the story. I'm not sure about the P-51 off field incident Vlado. Do you know anything Chuck?

[Rob Mears]

Aaah! The old Eric Mingledorf P-40. That bird used to be a star here around Monroe, Louisiana. My grandfather gave Eric the loan he needed to buy the plane back in the day. I always wondered what became of it. Mingledorf also had an FM-2 Wildcat project that disappeared somewhere when he closed up shop back in the 1990s. Does anyone have an idea where it might have gone?