Warbird Information Exchange

These are the only digital pics i have of theTu-2. If I get a new scanner, I will post some more. The late John Maguire bought several of these before he passed away I was told. Apparently, there are some still in crates at one of his ranches. In typical Russian fashion, the plane appears crude but I'll bet it is built like a tank. This one is on static display at Santa Teresa at the War Eagles Museum. If you get a chance to go there, it is well worth the trip. They are closed on Mondays but the staff there is great and they treat you like a king when you walk in.

Excellent photo's,

are any of the type airworthy anywhere in the world ??

Paul

None that I am aware of. I imagine if anyone were to try to make one a flyer, they would run into the same difficulties that we had with the Heinkel-111 before we lost it in a fatal crash two years ago. There are just no parts available. Also, everything is metric so that adds to the difficulty unless of course you live in that part of the world. It is an interesting bird though.

Chris,

Agreed...part would be a bear to come by...unless you were to turn it into an "Experimental" and re-engine the plane. But, the reason I asked is that think you illuded to several others being stored in crates. Russian, though they may be, would it not be prudent of a prospective owner to make up for the parts issue by purchasing one of the other stored aircraft ??

Paul

Airframes in crates were what I was told but we all know about rumors of stored or buried aircraft. Also, It would have to have an experimental type certificate regardless of engines. The biggest problem we had with the Heinkel were brakes. None existed so we engineered our own at a cost of $40,000. They worked very well but that was a huge financial hit.

Mr. MacGuire did indeed purchase quite a few TU-2s. How many is a good question...I've hear up to double digits. Besides the static bird there was another bird under restoration to flying shape last time I visited War Eagles. However, that was before Mr. MacGuire passed. It was in the restoration hangar which is a separate building from the Museum. I think parts to at least one more TU-2 was on site as well. The others I was told were stored at Mr. MacGuire's ranch.

Jim

Here's the example at Monino....



Martin

Hello all, just wanted to ad my 2 cents worth. The rumors are true, there are over 10 TU2's dissassembled in storage. I saw the entire storage hangar complete with much P51/P38 "stuff" and many Migs. The Tu2's were complete with rows of parts, engines, props, all the forward fuselage sections were lined up and all wings were stacked. Very impressive hangar. We had "dropped" in for a top up due to a slight miscalculation in fuel , so were only there for about an hour.This was in 1993 on my way to Reno. One of the projects was advertised for sale 3 years ago by a friend, dont think that it sold though.

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"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few"

The Tu-2 is one tough looking job!

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Olivier Lacombe -- Harvard Mk.4 C-GBQB

Here are links to some pics I took back in september 1994 of this same Tu-2. I visited the War Eagles Museum in Santa Theresa, near El Paso. On display there was this Tu-2. According to the notes I took then, this Tu-2 last flew in 1981 with the Chinese AF; her last mission was to open up a frozen river by bombing the ice (talk about drastic measures..). Afterwards she was stored in a cave from 1981 until 1992. During 1992 she was disassembled, crated and transported to Houston, and on to Santa Theresa. She is repainted since my visit, although I liked the original and well used look the Tupolev had when I saw it 11 years ago. Now the patina has gone...

You can have a look at my pictures here:

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/attach ... ntid=99007

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/attach ... ntid=99009

Tillerman.

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Jets are nice. Props are nicer.

You gotta respect the guys that have brought a lot of these lesser known planes back in bulk numbers. Hauling home a squadron of Mustangs or Corsairs is one thing, but Mr. MacGuire probably knew he wasn't looking at a cash cow as he had these less popular types boxed up for their trip home. One day the Tu-2's in Texas will be far more popular than they are now, and MacGuire may well be lauded as the only man with the foresight to bring a boatload of them home while there were still airframes to be had.

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Rob Mears
'Surviving Corsairs' Historian
robcmears@yahoo.com
http://www.robmears.com

Well,

if I may be allowed my two cents on this one. I kinda think it is a very sleek aircraft as Russian planes go. Simple design, and actually quite a good looking airframe...even on the ground. And I say this in all candor, because some Russian/Soviet designs of past era's were, in my own personal opion (of course), were really kinda hard on the eyes. Harsh designs by what we would call "Western Standards". But, on the other hand you must respect the idea the the Soviets/Russians designed aircraft for durability and a purpose versus looks.

Again, just my two cents worth.

Paul

Great pictures, interesting looking aircraft!
It is a shame that there are these unusual types redily available for restoration and they are ignored. Yet the mear sniff of a P-38 , P-51 ar Spitfire will send people halfway around the world!. I don't think restoring one of these would cost half as much money as some of the near replicas we see today.
I am sure if the spotted a P-38 wreck on Mars they would be mounting a recovery expidition within weeks! (Martian Girl???)

Rgds Cking

P.S. I am willing to resore one of these to flight standard. Please send cheques for £10,000 to me at...........................

Does anybody know who the current owner/responsible person is of the Tu-2's. Does anybody have a contact number or address?

Thanks
Marco

You might try to contact the War Eagles museum since that is the museum the the late John Maguire founded. As I said before, If you get the chance to go there,GO! It's basically on the New Mexico- Mexico border about 30 miles west of El Paso at the Dona Ana County Airport. Great staff there!!!!!!