Pensacola snags a Whale...

[Warbirdnerd]

From the Museum's Facebook page...

110630-N-RY232-033 PENSACOLA, Fla. (June 30, 2011) Anthony McFarlane Sr., vice president of staff operations and Charles Ellis Jr., corporate secretary of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, greet Ron Woltman and John Galli, Raytheon Company test pilots as they deliver an aircraft at Forrest Sherman Field, Naval Air Station Pensacola. The Raytheon Company pilots flew the Douglas EA-3B Skywarrior to NAS Pensacola to turn the aircraft over to the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation for renovation and display. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Julia A. Casper/Released)

[StangStung]

I guess this must mean not all the Raytheon test machines were turned into beer cans? Looks like that paint is fresh...

I still can't figure out why the Navy and Raytheon did not coordinate something to fly these last Skywarriors to 100th Anniversary of Naval Aviation events this year.

This EA-3B should have flown to Thunder Over Michigan on July 22 and on July 24 or 25 flown to EAA AirVenture and then after Oshkosh was over, on to Pensacola.

Just doesn't make any sense to me....

[Warbird Kid]

They should have found a way to get a few into private hands.

[RickH]

Ya'll forget, they ( the gubmint ) doesn't WANT anything like this in the public's hands !

turn the aircraft over to the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation for renovation and display.

I don't understand, what kind of renovation does a FLYING aircraft NEED for display ? Seems to me if it's good enough to FLY then it's certainly in as good a shape as it will ever be !

[StangStung]

Um...perhaps to the equipment and configuration of the period for which the NMNA want it to be representative? Or was that a rhetorical question?

And as to a plane that is flying being in the best condition it's ever going to be in...I think we've all seen examples where that isn't true.

[K5DH]

They should have found a way to get a few into private hands.

The Navy offered them all to Museums, but they had few takers. The cost of transportation was too much. There was another thread about these jets where this fact was brought to light.

As for their condition, from what I understand, Raytheon maintained them in very good condition with a lot of pride.

[RickH]

Um...perhaps to the equipment and configuration of the period for which the NMNA want it to be representative? Or was that a rhetorical question?

Nope, NOT rhetorical at all, I've seen what happens to aircraft that are flown in. They are left outside until they NEED restoration, instead of putting them inside right away on display ! The S-3 that was NAVY 1 is a prime example, the last TA-4 that flew in from Meridian is another, so is the PB4Y that was flown in from Greybull, the C-1A from the Lexington, shall I go on ?

You could eat off of the EA-3 and from what I can see it is in pretty fresh Navy markings, and its duty at Raytheon is part of its particular history. They already have a regular Whale to represent fleet ops. They also have some scattered around the country on loan to other affiliated museums.

And as to a plane that is flying being in the best condition it's ever going to be in...I think we've all seen examples where that isn't true.

Yes we have, but the odds are with me on that one, I can guarantee you that the majority of the aircraft delivered to museums by flying them are in MUCH better shape than those drug out of the boneyard, ( or worse ) and trucked in.

[PbyCat-Guy]

Anybody know what squadron this whale was with in the navy? would be great if it was in my dad's squadron, vq-2.

If I understand it right is there still ONE or maybe just possibly TWO Raytheon/Navy A-3's left at Van Nuys that may be with an Air Force or Navy project? If this is so, it would be nice if when the last one is ready to be retired from flight this year on next it could be flown the short flight to Chino to become part of the Planes of Fame collection. It would be great to see POF either maintain it in flying condition or store it for future flight at some point.

Would love to see the last one fly into Chino on the Friday or Saturday of the Annual air show next May.....

[RickH]

Jim, if they survive, POF would never be allowed to fly it due to current DoD policy and Demil law.

Jim, if they survive, POF would never be allowed to fly it due to current DoD policy and Demil law.

Rick,

I highly suspected that this is the case, but I had to ask. I will never give up hope that aircraft like the Skywarrior and the F-105 among others may someday fly again in responsible civilian hands.

Keep up the great work at Collings.

Jim

[BK]

This one was 24 hours from being scrapped!:
http://www.pnj.com/VideoNetwork/1032807 ... 3Eumbrella

TA-3D 144865 s/n 12111

[JDK]

I don't understand, what kind of renovation does a FLYING aircraft NEED for display ? Seems to me if it's good enough to FLY then it's certainly in as good a shape as it will ever be !

In general terms, 'Good' isn't the same as 'appropriate'. Without getting dragged into specific achievements or failures of national museums and flying organisations (and I'm sure Rick knows this!) an ex-military aircraft that flies does not need military systems and equipment complete; likewise flying in a modern environment often includes modifications and additions (and removals) from standard military fit.

A national-level collection should be taking an aircraft from a second-line user as here, and re-equipping with items that are required and removing items not appropriate to returning th aircraft to its combat configuration - if that's what's decided on.

Also as when buying a second-had car, there can be issues that the old owner won't address because they will become a problem after his tenure, which a long-term new owner will have to address - such as potential / minor corrosion, or nasty unhealthy built-in items.

The oft-quoted myth seen on WIX that "(military) aircraft were built to fly" is rubbish - they are a tool designed for a nation to use in a particular role for a particular job for a particular period. Flying is just an element in that and the state and military see the tool's use as finite. What happens afterwards is a different question.

[sarcasm]Also, there's a need to ensure activity is stated to happen if the announcement appears on Facebook or involves politicians or other suits, even if nothing will actually occur.[/sarcasm]

They should have found a way to get a few into private hands.

No, that's cart-before-horse. We'd like the 'private hands' to have figured a way to keeping 'a few' flying. Given the cost of operating them without the chick-magnet element of being 'a cool jet fighter' that was always a remote possibility, before we get to issues with Governmental restrictions on operation.

The state has a responsibility at most to see an example into the appropriate national collection. (Interestingly, in the UK, NZ, S Africa and Australia, the state's air force have supported the operation of specific historic aircraft - but not the US.)

It costs nothing to wish this, that or the other warplane is kept flying - and that's the value of such wishing - nothing. Warbirds are flown by people and organisations that put enough sweat, paper and cash into making it happen. (And that's a lot more than anyone not involved - unlike Warbird Kid, of course - realises.)

Regards,

[Mike]

Ah, I wondered where it went to - it sat on the ramp at VNY just outside my office window for the past few weeks. Glad to see it has gone to a good home.

I believe there's still one more at VNY. Originally I heard that it was destined for the Pacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island, is that still the plan?