Need ID help on these, please.

[RareBear]

Was at Fantasy of Flight last Sunday, and as I was leaving, I noticed these fuselages and a wing across the street next to an old barn. Anyone have an idea what they are?





Walt

[Jerry O'Neill]

The first two are navy Airship Control Cars for the sub hunting Blimps.
The wing section looks like an A-26 Invader wing and nacelle.
Jerry

[RareBear]

Thanks, Jerry.

Airship Control Cars - about the last thing I would have thought of.

There's another wing and nacelle like this one on the site, but it wasn't in a spot where I could get a photo. You can see it in aerials.


Walt

[Matt Gunsch]

the control cars are setting upside down.

[RareBear]

Yeah, I knew that whatever they were were upside down, but airship cars didn't even cross my mind.

Walt

[Robbie Roberts]

I believe these are the ones which came from the John V. Mahalchik estate back in the late 1990s. There is a thread about them related to one which has been restored fully & is being displayed in the NAS Pensacola Naval Air Museum.

Last time I saw them in person, I was talking to the late, great John V., and stuck my head through a door on the side, and looked up- right into the head, the seat and lid of which were hanging open. Of course, that was a few years before he passed away...

Robbie

[Chris Brame]

Looks like the remains of black paint on the Invader's wing - is it from N3248G/44-35590? Or is all of it still at Aero Trader?

[LARGEFLYER]

I'll be heading to Fantasy of Flight next Saturday. Any tips on what to look for there? I've been by it a few times but never been through the Museum or on the grounds proper.

Thanks for any insight you care to give.

Greg

[Holedigger]

If you decide to have lunch at the Compass Rose, great onsite restaurant, make sure you don't miss your tour. Only a couple tour slots a day, and if it is busy it can be a little slow getting served. Drink lots of water, it is HOT. Bring sunscreen, for when the flight demo for the day is on, you will want to be out there on the tarmac where you can see it......see above...it is hot!

[Warbird Kid]

Be careful when hanging around on the tarmac. Especially if you wander onto grass/dirt patches. FIRE ANTS are not fun!

[RareBear]

It's getting a little pricy to get in. I think the bsaic admission was $29.00.
AAA or 55+ helps a little.

If you want to photograph the aircraft, you will need a wide-angle lens, as they are crammed pretty tightly in the hangars. Lighting is pretty good, especially with the doors open.

I didn't notice any ants actually on the ramp, but they are definitely there in the grass.

Walt

Last edited by RareBear on Fri May 15, 2009 4:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[mustangdriver]

Awesome stuff man.

[Holedigger]

Go to the FoF website (under contact) and you can punch in your email address to get a discount coupon. Don't know for how much, but every bit helps. Then you will get a monthly newsletter, and notices of upcoming events, and occasionally, more discount coupons.

[LARGEFLYER]

Everyone,

Thanks for the info! Already got the coupon just in case and my girlfriend is a Florida resident so we can get $8 off per ticket. We plan on having lunch at the Compass Rose.

I tried to get a "behind the scenes" tour but the restoration staff are not there on weekends or holidays. Oh well I still will have a great time.

Greg

[Holedigger]

Hope they fly something cool for you! I've seen the 51-C, a Stearman, one of the WW1repros, a Pitts somethingoranother(I think) and the Fi Storch