KP Forum Post >>> "Amazing American Barn Find!

[Mark_Pilkington]

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Amazing American Barn Find! ?????


The Key Publishing / Flypast Forum has the following Thread, any knowledge of this in the Wix membership?

29th June 2009, 11:03
Oxcart
Rank 4 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 638

Amazing American Barn Find!

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3 Airacobras, a PT-19, a Yale and the "substantial' remains of a Curtis P-6E have been found in a hangar on a remote airstrip in Michigan!-there's a report in the new 'Aeroplane'
__________________

Bruce
de Havilland Museum Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 2,995


Are there any pictures? I'm surprised this hasnt been picked up on WIX....

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=92103

I assume its a forgotten private collection, or the Yale is actually a BT-14?

Its not the 1st of April so I assume there is some fire under this smoke?

"Where" are the anonomous "hot scoops" reporting on this??

smiles

Mark Pilkington

[warbird1]

I'll believe it when I see it. It would be extremely difficult to hide 3 P-39's. Given the fact that it was on an airstrip, that information would be nearly impossible to hide, especially considering the rarity of those planes. Since it was on an airfield, the owner probably knew something about airplanes, and what they were worth. If that's the case, the word would have gotten out by now. Loose lips sink ships.

I remain skeptical.

[Mark_Pilkington]

I'll believe it when I see it. It would be extremely difficult to hide 3 P-39's. Given the fact that it was on an airstrip, that information would be nearly impossible to hide, especially considering the rarity of those planes. Since it was on an airfield, the owner probably knew something about airplanes, and what they were worth. If that's the case, the word would have gotten out by now. Loose lips sink ships.

I remain skeptical.

Well that KP thread claims its reported in a respected magazine which apparantly included at least one photo of a P-39 fuselage, and some descriptive text on the extent of airframes?

Perhaps the owner had friends and acquantances who honoured his confidentiality?

I wonder if these are part of the extended Tallechet collection?

I find it interesting that you are skeptical of this news, and questioned my own skepticism of anonomous posts about future "plans" for the 3 wildcats under restoration in Texas - I cant see the difference personally?

In both cases it seems worth waiting for the truth to be independently confirmed.

29th June 2009, 11:47
Oxcart
Rank 4 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 639

There's a small one of a P-39 fuselage in the magazine-hopefully someone will have more details-the P-6 consists of a fuselage from the cockpit back, 2 engines and lots of other parts-always thought it was such a handsome beast!

Regards

Mark Pilkington

[Holedigger]

Were they in a hidden bunker under the main runway? Can I get a CD with all the info? I reserve judgment until more data comes forth. Would be a very nice find indeed.

[retroaviation]

Too many words with stories like this......some of us need pictures.

Gary

[warbird1]

I find it interesting that you are skeptical of this news, and questioned my own skepticism of anonomous posts about future "plans" for the 3 wildcats under restoration in Texas - I cant see the difference personally?

I'm not saying it isn't true or couldn't happen, but that I'm just skeptical, that's all. There is a difference between the two stories. I don't know any of the people reporting that information, haven't read the Flypast forum, or know anything about it, hence, my skepticality. Since you probably read the Flypast forum much more than I do, you are able to draw conclusions about various posters' credibility.

Regarding the Wildcats, well, it came from a well established source. It also helps that I read nearly every post on the Wix forum. Because of that, I develop some sense of credibility from the poster's, especially if they've had a history of posting correct and verified information over the years. Also, there is information exchange that happens behind the scenes via PM's. This adds further credence to such information. Since you probably don't read every post here, and know most of the major posters, I would have expected your response to be as you said - skeptical. The way you are on Flypast, is the way I am on here. We're just 180 out of phase.


BTW, that would be WONDERFUL news, if true. It is an exciting prospect!

[PeterA]

The report on 'Flypaper' is a reference to a quarter page in the news section of the current Aeroplane Monthly for August 2009, out today.

There is a photo of one of the Bell P-400's.

I quote:-

-The substantial remains of a Curtiss P-6E have been discovered. The P-6E consists of the fuselage from the cockpit back, two 700hp Curtiss V-1570C engines etc

PeterA

[AirJimL2]

Would this be Jack Taft's collection?

Jim

[kalamazookid]

Would this be Jack Taft's collection?

That's exactly what I was wondering. I know he has been restoring a P-400 to static condition over the past 15 years or so. Never seen it myself, though I've tried to contact him several times.

Knowing the area in Michigan might be helpful in determining the validity of the "discovery." There was a large number of P-6s based at Selfridge back in the day, and it wouldn't surprise me if a local collector purchased one when they were declared surplus. Hopefully this turns out to be true. I have to believe that if photos exist, we will see them sooner or later or a magazine will publish some sort of report on the airframes. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

[paulmcmillan]

Well the picture in Aeroplane does look awfully like the one here...

http://web.archive.org/web/200602190407 ... -39_lg.jpg

[RickH]

I would expect, that, if a real P-6 turns up , it won't be long before someone at NMUSAF decides that the guys who signed the paperwork in 1930 weren't " authorized" !

[AirJimL2]

Would this be Jack Taft's collection?

That's exactly what I was wondering. I know he has been restoring a P-400 to static condition over the past 15 years or so.

I think it is. The pieces fit. He has at least one P-39/P-400 project. He has a PT-19, he is in Michigan. I swear I remember hearing he had one of the ex-Simmons Yales. So not really a find. Just a lesser known collection.

So does this mean the aircraft are up for disposal?

Jim

[rcaf_100]

If it is Jack Taft's collection, then the Yale is ex Simmons 3383.

I just had a nice email conversation with the new owner, as he was looking for pics of his Yale at the Simmons auction. He sent me pics as well...looks as though it hasn't been touched since 1970!

Last edited by rcaf_100 on Tue Jun 30, 2009 7:21 am, edited 2 times in total.

[Mgawa]

Excellent find and I hope that they will be in air soon

[rcaf_100]

Just letting you guys know that it is Jack Taft's barn in Jackson, MI. The new owner of Yale 3383 confirmed it for me.

However, he says that there was only one P-39...

If anyone's interested, he says the P-39 and PT-19 should still be for sale.