The Former "Spirit of Waco" A-26 has a new home!

[CrewDawg]

On behalf of the Vintage Flying Museum and the CAF Invader Squadron http://www.a26invader.com/index.htm, we are happy to announce that the A-26B SN# 43-7140 formerly known as "The Spirit of Waco" but now known as "Hoodle Head" will make the VFM it's new home!

The airplane was moved to Midland upon the disolution of the Waco Squadron and has been looking for a new group to take care of her. A group of people from the DFW Metroplex area, including some from the DFW Wing at Lancaster decided to form a new squadron and give her the TLC she deserves. They have made several trips to Midland to work on the annual inspection and prepare her for a short flight to Ezell Aviation in Breckenridge, TX. Ezell aviation is going to address some corrosion issues on a rear spar carry through (but not the spar itself), afterwhich it will be repainted in the markings of Korean War Medal of Honor Recipient John S. Walmsley (see the artists rendering on the squadron's home page).

*WALMSLEY, JOHN S., JR.

Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Air Force, 8th Bombardment Squadron, 3d Bomb Group. Place and date: Near Yangdok, Korea, 14 September 1951. Entered service at: Baltimore, Md. Born. 7 January 1920, Baltimore, Md. Citation: Capt. Walmsley, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. While flying a B-26 aircraft on a night combat mission with the objective of developing new tactics, Capt. Walmsley sighted an enemy supply train which had been assigned top priority as a target of opportunity. He immediately attacked, producing a strike which disabled the train, and, when his ammunition was expended, radioed for friendly aircraft in the area to complete destruction of the target. Employing the searchlight mounted on his aircraft, he guided another B-26 aircraft to the target area, meanwhile constantly exposing himself to enemy fire. Directing an incoming B-26 pilot, he twice boldly aligned himself with the target, his searchlight illuminating the area, in a determined effort to give the attacking aircraft full visibility. As the friendly aircraft prepared for the attack, Capt. Walmsley descended into the valley in a low level run over the target with searchlight blazing, selflessly exposing himself to vicious enemy antiaircraft fire. In his determination to inflict maximum damage on the enemy, he refused to employ evasive tactics and valiantly pressed forward straight through an intense barrage, thus insuring complete destruction of the enemy's vitally needed war cargo. While he courageously pressed his attack Capt. Walmsley's plane was hit and crashed into the surrounding mountains, exploding upon impact. His heroic initiative and daring aggressiveness in completing this important mission in the face of overwhelming opposition and at the risk of his life, reflects the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Air Force.

Note that he was not flying "Hoodle Head" on the night of the above mission. The name "Hoodle Head" comes from his pet name for his wife. The name "Bucket Head" appears on the right side of the nose, which was her pet name for him. The "J" on the tail is from thier nickname for thier daughter "Jaybird". This way Capt. Walmsley always felt like he had his family with him.

The plane is due to arrive at the Vintage Flying Museum sometime in May and will be an active, flying aircraft. I'll keep everyone posted as more details come available. The new Invader Squadron is actively looking for new members (as is the Vintage Flying Museum), so please check out our websites or PM me.

[RickH]

Bill, I'm glad to hear you guys are going to get her. I almost cried when I saw her last week ! Joe Nemmer and his bunch took pretty good care of her for many years.

I hope you keep Joe's name on her somewhere, he deserves that, as he's been such a big part of her CAF life.

Good luck with her, and make sure her pilots fly her like an A-26 !

[TimAPNY]

Congrats and seems like a fitting tribute to a fallen hero!

can't wait for pictures and updates.

Tim

[T J Johansen]

Is Joe Nemer (Nemmer?) still around? I'd like to get in touch with him on an unrelated topic.

T J

[Cvairwerks]

Great deal guys. I've got a bit of history with her, having worked on the initial restoration back in '79 to '81 time frame. I spent three of the hottest days I've ever experienced, back in the hole behind the bomb bay removing wiring and radio racks. We filled a dishwasher box with wire, brackets, mounts and all sorts of garbage when we removed all the boat anchor radios and nav gear from the days of her being a corporate bird.

Matt Wright and Aubrey Haire (?) used to fly a pretty aggressive show in her when we got her back in the air.

[hahnej]

Good to hear. Need pics!

[Django]

Very cool. Congrats!

[CrewDawg]

Thanks everyone. I just want to make clear that the airplane still belongs to the CAF under the care of the recently formed Invader Squadron. The VFM and the CAF have come to an agreement to hangar the aircraft at the museum at Meacham. Just tryin' to avoid any confusion as to who owns and operates her.

Regardless we are all excited, the Invader Squadron is a terriffic and talented group people!

[CAPFlyer]

Glad they found a home for her. I know the original plans were to base the plane at Dallas Executive, but I heard that the City of Dallas had "stepped in" and made that problematic through the shutdown of one of the FBO's or more directly (never got the full story from the people I was talking to).

Will be interesting to see a Korean-era Invader and a Vietnam-era Invader sharing the same hangar though. Will be even cooler at airshows.

[Hemiman]

Great to see one of the 8th Sqdn CMH recipients receive such an honor. Will pass this on to the 8th Assn. members . If anyone is interested in reading about the 8th in Korea and Walmsley, here's the 8th Sqdn webpage. Just scroll down to Korea....

http://8thattacksqdnassoc.tripod.com/WWII.html



Bill

Last edited by Hemiman on Thu Feb 17, 2011 9:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[CrewDawg]

RickH,
I was asked by the Invader Squadron Leader to pass on the following with regards to Joe Nemmer.

"When a CAF Colonel makes an "Aircraft Sponsorship" on a plane it has been a tradition for their name to appear and remain on the plane. Even after the new paint scheme the historical "Aircraft Sponsors" and new sponsor's names will again be on the plane. This also includes Joe Nemmer's name."

For those of you looking for pictures, the best I can do at the moment is to send you to the Invader Squadron's photo page http://www.a26invader.com/Photo_Album.htm.

One other thing that I want to mention is that the VFM is NOT being acquired by the CAF. The VFM is still going strong and is in the process of regrouping after the departure of the B-17. Doc always saw the museum as a "Warbird Hobby Shop" more than as a traditional museum. He once told me that he wanted a place where people could come see, work on and fly warbirds. The CAF Invader Squadron is just the latest group to make use of the "Hobby Shop". Both the VFM and the CAF share the common goal of preserving and flying these fantastic machines to pay tribute to served with them. It just makes sense that we should combine forces for the benefit of everyone and most of all of the airplane.

If anyone out there is looking for hangar space for a warbird or vintage/classic aircraft, send me a PM or email. We are clearing out some more space in the North hangar to make room for more airplanes...we just need the airplanes.

[LadyO2Pilot]

The picture on the "Home" page of http://www.A26invader.com is more representative of what the paint scheme will be. I have another picture on my computer but can't post here at moment....<I'm working on it LOL>

[LadyO2Pilot]

Okay....finally remembered how to work with PhotoBucket....here is the other picture I had on file.

[viking73]

I'm glad to hear she has a new home in DFW, not too far from me.

I will however miss seeing her in Waco along with the Waco airshow...














So long "Spirit"...


-Derek

[whistlingdeath77]

those pics are great