Yanks restoration shop Chino

mrp · **Joined:** Tue Dec 14, 2004 8:49 am **Posts:** 68

I had the opportunity to finally get to Chino a couple of weeks ago. Yanks Air Museum was a particular highlight. The restoration shop is a hive of activity. They are currently restoring another Grumman Hellcat for their collection. It is a -3 version. I am not sure what the number is , but it was started from a wreck, which I think came from Mike Coutches. As you can see it is also coming along.
In the outside storage area they also have a Harrier GR3 ZD668, G-CBCU, which had been stored in the UK for a number of years. It was part of a pair imported to the States by Paul Alllen and then sold on. The other Harrier has gone to Art Nails crew to help with spares for his Sea Harrier.

Also Planes Of Fame's P-40 NL85104 was masquerading in the same markings as John Paul's P-40, which I assume must be for either Tv or film purposes.

I was also surprised to find all of the Friedkin collection of aircraft , including the Spitfire's and Hurricane had left Chino for Texas. Apparently Steve Hinton was away at the time of my visit collecting another Spitfire for the Friedkin collection from the US Northeast. The only Spitfire I could think that this could be would be Tom Duffy's MK959, anyone know anymore ?

Mark

AirJimL2 · **Posted:** Tue Nov 04, 2008 12:40 pm

mrp wrote:

Apparently Steve Hinton was away at the time of my visit collecting another Spitfire for the Friedkin collection from the US Northeast. The only Spitfire I could think that this could be would be Tom Duffy's MK959, anyone know anymore ?

Former Blair Spitfire Vc JG891.

Jim

John-Curtiss Paul · **Posted:** Tue Nov 04, 2008 12:56 pm

We used our P-40E and the POF P-40N in the filming of Tom Cruise's upcoming movie "Valkyrie". It was a scene that was to take place in North Africa and our P-40E is already painted in the RAF 112 shark squadron markings so the POF painted theirs to match ours. They look pretty cool in the air together over the Desert!

JC

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

mrp wrote:

They are currently restoring another Grumman Hellcat for their collection. It is a -3 version. I am not sure what the number is , but it was started from a wreck, which I think came from Mike Coutches.

I think that Matt Nightingale's shop did a lot of the work on the Hellcat.

Chad Veich · **Posted:** Tue Nov 04, 2008 3:14 pm

Is the Friedkin stuff leaving Chino for good or only temporarily? That would be a large hit to the museum if they were to be displayed elsewhere would it not?

warbird1 · **Joined:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:25 pm **Posts:** 2760

What's the latest on any of the other restorations at Yanks?

How is the Corsair and Helldiver coming along? Any pictures of those?

Thanks.

Tim Savage · **Joined:** Mon May 03, 2004 8:26 pm **Posts:** 630

AirJimL2 wrote:

mrp wrote:

Apparently Steve Hinton was away at the time of my visit collecting another Spitfire for the Friedkin collection from the US Northeast. The only Spitfire I could think that this could be would be Tom Duffy's MK959, anyone know anymore ?

Former Blair Spitfire Vc JG891.

Jim

Looks like Blair's P-38 went to Friedkin as well.

Warbird Kid · **Posted:** Tue Nov 04, 2008 7:04 pm

A second Hellcat?! Oh why couldnt they fly them!? :cry:

And yeah wait a second. . . so what does Mr. Friedkin own now? Does anybody have a list?

Chris

Nathan · **Posted:** Tue Nov 04, 2008 7:07 pm

Is the F6F gonna fly?

warbird1 · **Joined:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:25 pm **Posts:** 2760

Nathan wrote:

Is the F6F gonna fly?

I doubt it. As is common with virtually the entire collection, except for maybe 3 or 4 planes, all are restored to airworthy condition, with N numbers, but not flown.

warbird1 · **Joined:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:25 pm **Posts:** 2760

Tim Savage wrote:

AirJimL2 wrote:

mrp wrote:

Apparently Steve Hinton was away at the time of my visit collecting another Spitfire for the Friedkin collection from the US Northeast. The only Spitfire I could think that this could be would be Tom Duffy's MK959, anyone know anymore ?

Former Blair Spitfire Vc JG891.

Jim

Looks like Blair's P-38 went to Friedkin as well.

Wow, that's news to me! You mean Putt Putt Maru is now going to Friedkin? Do you know where they are going to base it?

Warbird Kid · **Posted:** Tue Nov 04, 2008 7:16 pm

I mean it’s a good thing they get N numbers and are practically ready to fly, but.....

Why go through all that work, and not experience the best part of all with them? Anyways, I’m glad to see this one coming back to fruition, but why do they need 2 Hellcats? They do have two mustangs I suppose, but still wouldn’t Yanks rather make a couple million by restoring this one and then putting her up on Courtesy?
Chris

george · **Joined:** Wed Dec 15, 2004 10:20 pm **Posts:** 435

bdk, or anyone else who might know - is this Hellcat "Little Nugget" or maybe the secret one from northern CA discussed on here a few years back?
Thanks for any info on its ID.

P51Mstg · **Joined:** Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:36 am **Posts:** 1202

The thing about Yanks is that they seem to have a lot of money. There are few HellCats in the world. If you don' t need the money, no sense selling the otherwise non-replaceable airplane.....

So is Mr. Blair cutting back on the warbird collection..... There is that Spit painted on the bottom of the Challenger Jet....... Maybe there is something new getting painted there.....

Mark H

Ethan · **Posted:** Tue Nov 04, 2008 9:17 pm

warbird1 wrote:

Nathan wrote:

Is the F6F gonna fly?

I doubt it. As is common with virtually the entire collection, except for maybe 3 or 4 planes, all are restored to airworthy condition, with N numbers, but not flown.

this summer i worked at a southern california restoration shop where they were working on this hellcat.one thing to think about is that every aircraft theyve restored has flown,just pointing that out.It is being restored to flyable condition.

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Yanks restoration shop Chino

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