Stearman PT-17 Boneyard

Rob Mears · **Posted:** Sun Jan 14, 2007 3:05 pm

Here are the photos of that Stearman boneyard that I spoke of a few months back. I finally made it back that way with my father last month to snap a few shots. The last two photos show some wing sets that the had been restored by the owner's father prior to his passing away a few years back. It's a great little treasure trove of parts, but (of course) the guy is not interested in parting with the stuff right now. Enjoy!

daveymac82c · **Posted:** Sun Jan 14, 2007 3:12 pm

It'll be a shame when those airframes becomes unusable.

-David

tom d. friedman · **Posted:** Sun Jan 14, 2007 4:18 pm

and everybody knocks the condition of soplata's birds?? they never looked better compared to this junk pile. a crying shame!!

astixjr · **Posted:** Sun Jan 14, 2007 8:57 pm

One thing's for sure. I would not want to visit that place much beyond the end of March. Looks like a haven for snakes, hornets, bees, wasps, chiggers, mosquitos, and a few thorn bushes. Yikes!

Dan Jones · **Posted:** Mon Jan 15, 2007 4:29 am

That is just wild! But Stearman's are pretty tough creatures and that place does look kinda dry. I wouldn't fret too much.

Most of the undercarriage assembly for my project came out from under a shed in Alabama - we had it most of the way out when the owner said "There's likely some rattle snakes under there..." :shock:

B-29 Super Fort · **Joined:** Wed Sep 01, 2004 11:12 am **Posts:** 871

Where are these located?

Roger Cain · **Posted:** Mon Jan 15, 2007 8:48 pm

I must have a "setting" problem, as all I see is a big white blank space where Rob's picture is. Any ideas? Thanks

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11324

Try grabbing the whole area like you are going to "cut and paste" and see if the thumbnails are illuminated in blue. If so, click one and it should link you to the photo website. If that doesn't work, "quote" his post and then copy and paste the link info into a new window.

Roger Cain · **Posted:** Mon Jan 15, 2007 10:38 pm

bdk wrote:

Try grabbing the whole area like you are going to "cut and paste" and see if the thumbnails are illuminated in blue. If so, click one and it should link you to the photo website. If that doesn't work, "quote" his post and then copy and paste the link info into a new window.

Thanks, the "quote" part worked for me

visaliaaviation · **Joined:** Mon Jul 03, 2006 2:01 pm **Posts:** 353

Back in'98, we ( I was with Wasp Aero, at the time) ) found a similar boneyard between Highways 99 and 33, outside of Tracy California, at an ag field. We came away with 13 wrecks, three complete 985's (yea, I know but this guy's father was using them cause they weren't P&Ws and VERY cheap post WWII!!!), several wings , ribs, spars, seats of all kinds(some p-40's) several bins full of exhaust system parts and baffles, tail surfaces and we didn't get it all. There were still brand new cylinders and engine parts on the shelves, seats filling whole WWII housing buildings used for storage. It was something. I found a set of Cloudboy Stearman inter plane struts among a huge pile of Model 75 struts.

I know of a set of B-29 nose wheels going back to the elemnts here in Visalia. Anyone interested?

visaliaaviation · **Joined:** Mon Jul 03, 2006 2:01 pm **Posts:** 353

Back in'98, we ( I was with Wasp Aero, at the time) ) found a similar boneyard between Highways 99 and 33, outside of Tracy California, at an ag field. We came away with 13 wrecks, three complete 985's (yea, I know but this guy's father was using them cause they weren't P&Ws and VERY cheap post WWII!!!), several wings , ribs, spars, seats of all kinds(some p-40's) several bins full of exhaust system parts and baffles, tail surfaces and we didn't get it all. There were still brand new cylinders and engine parts on the shelves, seats filling whole WWII housing buildings used for storage. It was something. I found a set of Cloudboy Stearman inter plane struts among a huge pile of Model 75 struts.

I know of a set of B-29 nose wheels going back to the elemnts here in Visalia. Anyone interested?

retroaviation · **Posted:** Wed Jan 17, 2007 12:11 pm

visaliaaviation wrote:

I know of a set of B-29 nose wheels going back to the elemnts here in Visalia. Anyone interested?

You betcha! Please either PM me or e-mail me with the information.

Gary

visaliaaviation · **Joined:** Mon Jul 03, 2006 2:01 pm **Posts:** 353

Last time I checked, the wheels were still sitting very near a country road to the east of Visalia. One is clearly visible. The other is in the weeds. Both are mounted on a straight axel approx 7-8' long. If I was less than honest, it wouldn't take much to hook a chain on and tow them away. Lady that owns the land won't sell anything. I always thought they would make great end tables!

retroaviation · **Posted:** Sat Jan 20, 2007 7:04 am

Thanks Charles. I doubt I'll be in the area of Visalia anytime soon. I wonder if anyone has any pictures of them?

Gary

Rob Mears · **Posted:** Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:10 am

B-29 Super Fort,

These are located just north of Delhi, Louisiana.

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Stearman PT-17 Boneyard

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