RTAF Bearcat pictures F8F 122095

[Trey Carroll]

Hey guys,

I am on the search for pictures of Bearcats that flew with the Royal Thai Air Force in Indo - China. I am on a particular search for pictures of Bearcat 122095, D779, and flew with the RTAF as KH15-43/93. We do not know anything about the aircraft during its time with the RTAF, but afterwards, it went to be a gate guard in Bangkok. We do not have any pictures during its time sitting in front of a government building there. It was taken out of Bangkok by the Salis Collection from France, and subsequently passed on through Stephen Grey at DUX, Nichols at the Yanks Air Museum, and is now with Tom Wood in Indiana for the past 11 years.

Does anyone here have pictures of this aircraft through its service from the RTAF, all the way through its restoration in Chino, time in Duxford, France, and Bangkok?

Tailwinds,

Trey Carroll

[Trey Carroll]

Bump.

Nothing?

T

[Warbirdnerd]

Hello Trey
Have you tried to contact anyone from the Tango Squadron in Thailand?

[mike furline]

Various Thai Bearcats,

http://www.thai-aviation.net/Photos_Air_Force_Kh1.html
http://www.thai-aviation.net/Photos_Air_Force_Kh2.html
http://www.thaiflyingclub.com/linkhisto ... gclub.html
http://airmodeller.tripod.com/48UsaF8f.htm

[Rob Mears]

2004?? Does anyone else find it stunning that this plane was sitting in this condition as of 2004?

[DaveM2]

Rob

I tried to get the identity of that derelict via my Thai AFM contact, but they had no luck.

Dave

[bdk]

But at least it is on display!

[Lynn Allen]

2004?? Does anyone else find it stunning that this plane was sitting in this condition as of 2004?

Get a rope...

[Rob Mears]

I imagine if the guys at Chino who helped with the restoration of the airworthy RTAF Bearcat could have worked out some kind of trade deal for this derelict, they would have. I'd love to know what (if any) restrictions might be keeping this sad airframe from leaving Thailand other than the simple desire of the RTAF to hold onto it for whatever reasons.

[Trey Carroll]

Thanks for the leads guys!

Does anyone have a contact for the Tango squadron? I can't seem to find if they have a web site!

Back to adjusting the Bcat valves!
T

[TonyA]

Here are some pictures from Chino in the '90s:

1994:



1995:


1997:

[PeterA]

Here is a Bearcat I shot back in 1980 on a Spitfire recovery recce.

Outside a military complex in the Bangkok area as I recall.

PeterA

[Trey Carroll]

Fantastic pics guys! I know I speak for every one, we really appreciate you digging these out and sharing them! It's really neat to see something in it's former days, both in Thailand and Chino!

Peter and Tony, do you guys know what 122095 looked like in Duxford? I know Stephen Grey only had the airplane for something like 6-9 months before he sold it. We don't know what all was done during that time, if that was when the restoration actually started?

Tailwinds,
Trey Carroll

[51fixer]

I imagine if the guys at Chino who helped with the restoration of the airworthy RTAF Bearcat could have worked out some kind of trade deal for this derelict, they would have. I'd love to know what (if any) restrictions might be keeping this sad airframe from leaving Thailand other than the simple desire of the RTAF to hold onto it for whatever reasons.

The one that Trey is working on came from Stephen Grey and was sent to Steve Hinton from the UK in pieces to complete.
After he bellied in his P-38 SG needed some parts. A trade was made where SG traded the Bearcat project to Nichols/Yanks for some needed P-38 parts and a restored, but not flown, FM-2 Wildcat.
The Chino crew at Yanks basically had a complete project they only had to move a 1/2 mile or so and then complete.
Good work when you can get it.

[mrp]

I knew that I had a picture of this Bearcat in the files, it just took me awhile to find it and scan it. The picture was taken in July 1987 at Duxford. The TFC were obviously cleaning and assessing the project at this point.

MRP