Warbird Information Exchange

Here is a selection of photos from this weekend's Fly-In at Meacham Airport:

VFM had the Harvard Mk. III and EA-3B Skywarrior "Ranger 15" on display. The RNZAF markings on the Harvard are authentic. You can see VFM's main hangar in the background just above the Harvard's left wingtip.




Sheila (left) and Chuckie (right) manned (woman'ed?) our PX table in the shade under the Whale's wing. The temperature was unseasonably cool for August (only about 90 degrees) and there was a nice breeze out of the north (also unusual).


Our hangar-mates, the CAF Invader Squadron, displayed their A-26B Texas Special (which "The Other JR" refers to as BUBA -- Big Ugly Black Airplane). The weathered paint makes the Invader look really authentic (to me, anyway).


Four of GGA's crew co-own this beautiful 1941 Porterfield:


This splendid Navy-marked Stearman flew in from Granbury:


Here's the same Stearman on departure:


The Civil Air Patrol folks had this Cessna shined up and looking great!


WIX's very own Duck Drivin' Lady made quite an entrance in the LBA:


Here's the LBA in a more stationary setting, parked on "Warbird Row":


I couldn't resist shooting a pic of my Escape in front of the Whale. We used the Escape to transport our PX table and other stuff from the hangar to the event.


Here's Ranger 15 coming aboard the VFM ramp after the event. Driving the tug is Mark Swisher, who has about 325 hours flying this very aircraft while she was in Navy service!

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Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Port Charlotte, Florida

Is the whale an ex VQ1 or VQ2 bird ? whats the BUNO ?

BuNo 146453, ex VQ-2. More info here:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=42439

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Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Port Charlotte, Florida

Hey Dean, funny thing happened last Saturday that you missed out on. A man came up to me while I was talking about Buba under the wing of the A26. He got a big ol smile on his face and said he was a Wix'er and asked about the Duck Drivin Lady. I pointed to her Duck and then pointed to the lady in question over by the Whale talking to Chuckie and Sheila... girl thang you know. Anyway, he asked where her broom was so I suggested he go ask her. He seemed fearful of doing that so I took him over to meet her. After the usual howdy-do's, I put the question to her on his behalf. She claimed she left it in the hangar. She seemed amused by it and didn't turn either of us into toads so guess it was all right. Anyway, we had a good visit! Later, to make sure she was pacified, I agreed to ride with her in the Duck back to Grand Prairie. Nice lookin Duck, huh? :--) JR

Our gals Sally and Judy were using the shade of Buba's wing to sell Special Kay T shirts and hand out info sheets on the airplane plus the VFM Hangar Dance coming up in Oct. CAF was using the other wing to sell Buba T shirts, etc. We had a good time. Rumor has it the City of Ft Worth and various FBO's at Meacham will have one of these fly-in's each quarter since this was such a good start. Meacham is really changing a lot with new hangars being built all over the airport and improvements made. There is also a new flight school that just opened next to the Cornerstone FBO. They are remodeling the old Sandpiper Hotel area so these are welcomed changes. Be sure to make the next one. JR

I was said WIX'er. It sure was nice meeting you and the Duck Drivin Lady. JR, I don't know about you, but I had a sudden craving for flies after that meeting...fortunately it didn't last too long. That's not something you normally ask someone on the first meeting ya know.

And Karen, just in case you're wondering, my step son's hair didn't fall out...but it did have a slight blue tint to it and we had to put the obligatory "FLAMMABLE" sign on him until he took a bath, but I think he'll be fine.

Thank you guys for doing all you do to keep history alive! Hopefully next time, I'll get to visit with you guys longer.

Chris

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Chris Grogg

"What kind of plane is it?"

"Oh, it's a big pretty white plane with red stripes, curtains in the windows and wheels and it looks like a big Tylenol."

My Avatar: CDR William Harold Cole, Naval Aviator 14774, Naval Helicopter Pilot 1869 VC-6, VBF-152, VR-23 (Korea), DFC, Air Medal

In case you ever wondered why the O-2 is called a "Duck", take a look at the main gear as to how it retracts. Ever see a duck fly? They tuck their legs up the same way. Anyway, was great meeting you, too, Chris, hope you can make it again next time. Unfortunately, I got in trouble with the Duck Drivin Lady for posting the picture. She wants to be able to travel incognito... as if...
As for flies, they are not as tasty this time of year I noticed. Rivet Rivet... JR