Warbird Information Exchange

That's how I go through life.

Cosmo, the F-86 is in Sherman(taken same time as the P-47N photos, see CAF P-47 thread), Needs an overhauled engine.

From what I have heard "How Boot That" (the B-25) has more documented combat missions than any other B-25 out there. I understand that it is also the most historically accurate B-25. They flew it to Oshkosh and won Grand Champion and then I heard that they had some fuel leaks in the wing center section and decided to pickle the engines and systems and make it static display only. Can't say that I disagree with the decision, as much as I'd like to see it touring the country, it would be huge loss if something were to happen to it. I'm going to take some friends to CFM on Friday, I can see if I can find out more about it.

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Bill Gorin
Vintage Flying Museum
http://www.vintageflyingmuseum.org
https://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=57513906106

Isn't Fifi supposed to move to Addison when it's flyable? Where would they put a B-29 if they don't have room for an F-86 or Mustang? There are the old "Collins" hangars on the south end of the airport that might be big enough, but there are other businesses in there now. It would be shame for them to do all that work to have it sit outside

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Bill Gorin
Vintage Flying Museum
http://www.vintageflyingmuseum.org
https://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=57513906106

The lack of space is not the reason for the P-51 and F-86 not being "on site". They are both at other locations for specific maintenance reasons. (The P-51 is at "Breck", and the F-86 is at Grayson County. )

The "South Hanger" we refer to is one of the old "Collins" Hangers.

For organizational reasons we use the "South Hanger" for additional maintenance and storage, and it is currently home for 5 or 6 aircraft that are not on display, but may be rotated through the museum for display to the public as and when required.

I expect that by the time "FiFi" (B-29) arrives at Addison, the current "layout" will probably have changed.

There are many reasons "How Boot That" is no longer flown on the airshow circuit. The aircraft has a very significant documented history, was restored to its original configuration in every detail and not only was the nose art re-created, but it was re-created by the same "artist" (Jack Kowalik) that painted it in December 1944. To us, it would now be like flying an aircraft around with the "Mona Lisa" attached to the outside. Also, at this point in time, there are many other B-25s flying the airshow circuit, so the public is not deprived of seeing a flying example.

Julian

I'm still wondering what happened to the F-84 that came from Washington?

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Brad

Sorry Brad, must have missed that one!

The F-84 is still "between the hangers".
(Cavanaugh reference for "project in storage, awaiting parts, currently not a high priority").

One of the volunteers was working on obtaining/sourcing all the necessary parts for a static restoration, but the project is, due to the many "projects" at CFM, currently on the "back burner".

Julian

This One?

It was photographed in 1985 at Addison...reported to be a gate guard at Malmstrom AFB?

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Zane Adams
There I was at 20,000 ft, upside down and out of ammunition.
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Thanks Julian,

I know how hard it is to find parts for it, that's part of the reason we sold it. I started working on it when we first got it...then the war started! Then I started working on the C-123, then...etc. We finally managed to get it put together and it was apparant how much stuff was missing. From there it just got moved from place to place. Between it, the Lightning, T-37, F-104 and Hunter, it got the least attention. For a long time, I was just flying too much to a lot of stuff done.

Getting the C-123 flying again happend right as I was moved to the other side of the country and I just didn't have time to touch the static planes any more. In fact, I signed in at my new squadron and promptly went back to Washington to go on the C-123 test flights.

I had the F-86 layed out beside the F-84 one day before putting it together and I was amazed how much beefier the F-84 was. That thing is a tank!

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Brad

Thanks for the information.

I really HOPE that the Panther's flying days are not over. I would love to see this beautiful airplane back in the air in 2011 for the 100th Anniversary of Naval Aviation and to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War......

Please get it back to flying status with Snort Snodgrass in the cockpit in 2011!

I too would love to see the Panther back in the air!

Is there some major airframe issue(s) that make its flying days finished?

I love the Cavanaugh stuff, but I have to disagree totally with the thinking regarding "How Boot That". I think the chance of the aircraft being "lost" while on the ground in a hangar due to hurricane or tornado, or fire is just as great as it being lost while flying. How many B-25 accidents have there been in the past 25 years?

To me the difference is that MILLIONS of people could be seeing that amazing aircraft all over the country at airshows and events. To me, THAT is the treasure of that aircraft. The educational aspect is hundred-fold over the risk, IMHO. I find it very sad that only those who can get to the museum (and there can't see it doing what it was born to do..FLY), will be able to enjoy this dormant aviation treasure.

A Duck is a Duck, but seeing Chuck Greenhill's Pearl Harbor veteran Duck is just amazing! I hope that someday Cavanaugh changes their position on the B-25. I'd pay about $2,000 to take a ride in that aircraft, to relive what the greatest generation did while fighting for freedom in a machine that itself was a part of.

Respectfully,
Rich

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Rich Kolasa
www.crystalgraphix.com

It's not really about the loss of the whole aircraft; it's about the loss of the artwork and that's what Julian said. That artwork was done by the original painter who has now passed away and there is no way to protect it if it's out flying. I agree that when you have an aircraft with that much history, that much irreplaceable artwork on it, and so many alternatives out there, why put that plane out and risk having that artwork damaged or lost?

Julian,
Thanks for the information about the F-86, P-51 and B-25. I'm playing hooky from work on Friday so that I can bring some out of town Warbird fans to CFM then to the VFM on Saturday. I actually worked there for a short time way back in '92 (let me know if you want pictures of the Spitfire in pieces all over the hangar - I helped put that together and get it certified) and have been back regularly ever since, and the museum gets better all the time. You guys are doing a great job of preserving some important history.
Looks like another great weekend of warbirds! Is it Friday yet?

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Bill Gorin
Vintage Flying Museum
http://www.vintageflyingmuseum.org
https://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=57513906106