Hi Dave, There is a bare metal Grumman AF airframe minus engine sitting on the ramp at Chico.. Kinda looks like a TBM from a distance. Maybe this is the bird you are asking about? If so, here is some info on the old Grumman from a 2009 Chico Air Museum Newsletter I found on their website:
THE CHICO AIR MUSEUM GRUMMAN AF GUARDIAN
Searching for a smaller air tanker in the mid sixties to replace the TBM air tanker already in service,Aero Union Corporation of Chico bought seven Guardian hulls via military surplus sales and converted two of them for firefighting service for the California Department of Forestry and utilized the five remaining aircraft as “parts-birds” The AF tankers were retired in 1974 and all but one hull were sold or traded over the following fifteen years. This last Guardian was retained by the estate of Aero Union co-founder Dale Newton over the past twelve years.
In 2008 the last Grumman AF Guardian remaining at Chico was sold to veteran Reno Air Race pilot and aviation enthusiast, Jimmy Leeward. Mr. Leeward acquired the aircraft to obtain certain parts for his own flying Grumman AF that is based at his home airport in Florida. During the course of events that surrounded the sale of the aircraft to Mr. Leeward, the Chico Air Museum Board of Directors approached him with the idea of restoring the aircraft to static condition and displaying the aircraft at the museum as part of a long term loan agreement. As a strong supporter of aviation and aviation history, Mr. Leeward was extremely gracious and supportive of the museum’s efforts in this regard.
To date, the aircraft has been moved to the Chico Air Museum outdoor display area. The spare parts available to restore the aircraft have been gathered together and restoration of the major structures is about to commence. The museum is actively looking for qualified volunteers that are interested in preserving this unique and special aircraft. If you are interested in becoming part of the restoration team, please contact Don Campbell at 343-2428.
The AF in the Naval Aviation Museum was part of the group that Aero Union operated as tankers
http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/doncoms/Display.php?irn=16008708&QueryPage=%2FQuery.phpCheers, Dewayne
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