Pima's latest additions

[jamesintucson]

http://www.pimaair.org/collection-detail.php?cid=376

The first photo shows them both. MH-53M and Jet Provost. Both are basically complete inside and out. The Pave Low needs to be sealed, people proofed and have the rotor blades put back on and it will be ready for display. The JP needs to be put back together and get repainted then it'll go out too.

James

[Clifford Bossie]

http://www.pimaair.org/collection-detail.php?cid=376

The first photo shows them both. MH-53M and Jet Provost. Both are basically complete inside and out. The Pave Low needs to be sealed, people proofed and have the rotor blades put back on and it will be ready for display. The JP needs to be put back together and get repainted then it'll go out too.

James

So the Jet Provost made the journey ok. It was slowly rotting at West Texas and the move to Pima is a good deal. Too bad the Varsity is such a mess, it appears that it will be scrapped.

[jamesintucson]

http://www.pimaair.org/collection-detail.php?cid=376

The first photo shows them both. MH-53M and Jet Provost. Both are basically complete inside and out. The Pave Low needs to be sealed, people proofed and have the rotor blades put back on and it will be ready for display. The JP needs to be put back together and get repainted then it'll go out too.

James

So the Jet Provost made the journey ok. It was slowly rotting at West Texas and the move to Pima is a good deal. Too bad the Varsity is such a mess, it appears that it will be scrapped.

We looked at the Varsity very briefly and decided it wasn't worth the cost to move it. It would probably never get rebuilt. We have a number of long term projects now and it would take something very interesting to make us want to add another.

James

[Holedigger]

On the Pave Low, when they say "Transferred to Davis-Monthan AFB for storage and preparation for museum display" just what do they mean? Removal of sensitive electronics I would assume but do they also strip other components to make sure she never flies again?

[JBoyle]

Removal of sensitive electronics I would assume but do they also strip other components to make sure she never flies again?

Probably just the rotor system /engine/avionice parts that might still be needed in the DoD supply system.
I'm not sure why they'd have to "demil" it like they do with airplanes. Just put time expired blades on it and it's not going anywhere.

[the330thbg]

Great job James.

Two other amazing additions to an already incredible collection!!!!!


Warm Regards,

Smisek and the 330th!!!!

[Enemy Ace]

Hey! I seen that varsity before! I got hit with turbulence in the 182 so bad it knocked the generator loose on it's mount bracket, We put into West Texas to fix it. The FBO was a couple of old 60's era trailers, Avocado green color. The Hanger the guy had was half buried to try and cut down on the heat. The runway changed course to the right about halfway down it's length.When I was ready to leave I had to clear the tumbleweeds and sand dunes out from around the landing gear, in a hour the sand had built up like a set of wheel chocks.
I always figured the varsity was intended to be a drug runner. when the owner pranged it into West Texas he figured he may as well just stay there. I bet he had his entire net worth tied up in that airplane.
Somewhere there is a Drug Lord wondering what happened to the transport plane he was promised.
Anyway that's the story I made up to keep myself entertained for the rest of the flight to Sacramento.

[jamesintucson]

On the Pave Low, when they say "Transferred to Davis-Monthan AFB for storage and preparation for museum display" just what do they mean? Removal of sensitive electronics I would assume but do they also strip other components to make sure she never flies again?

In this case removal of communications, pretty much any electronic boxes that can be removed and a couple of instruments from the cockpit. Otherwise this one is pretty intact.

James

[Ethan]

what is a Varsity?
iv never herd of this plane before.

[steve dickey]

what is a Varsity?
iv never herd of this plane before.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vickers_Varsity

[Clifford Bossie]

what is a Varsity?
iv never herd of this plane before.

This is the Varsity in question:



This is a quick summary of what happens when you land an airplane overweight for the airstrip,too big for the airstrip, off center, too fast and you have never flown that type:

http://aviation-safety.net/database/rec ... 19831211-0

This is Jame's Jet Provost:

[Michel C-GNCJ]

There is one of those at Horizon Airport near El paso, TX (T27). And a Jet Provost as well. They have a small museum there with some interresting finds. Interresting place, to say the least !

I was driving through with a customer once. I took pictures with his digital cam but he never sent them to me... I should try to get them !

Edit: HEY ! That's the ones ! Did not realize you were talking about the same old dusty place...

[ZRX61]

Dibs on a Varsity engine if you scrap it

[tex-fan]

i had never heard of the Varsity, kind of looks like a saberliner with props.

[lestweforget]

The Varsity was developed from the Vickers Wellington bomber. Some good pics and a cencus of survivors here. A real shame it doesn't seem it will be saved.

http://www.oldprops.ukhome.net/Viking.htm