Warbird Information Exchange

I go by the airport in Thief River Falls everyday, I could ask a retired a&p instructor who actually owns the bird.

I remember as a kid, there was an F-84 in a junkyard in South Bend, IN. I took several pictures of it. I think that Pete Regina got it outta there back in the '80s (?). Does anybody know any more details of this aircraft? There were absolutely no markings of any kind on it to ID it.

On Friday, 14 SEPT, while on my way home I stopped at gateway (scene of the "murder") and spoke with two guys taking photos. They were members of the Kenosha Chapter of the EAA and said the Gateway Director had just left but not before ranting and raveing cause they had notified the local newspaper about it. So the best that I've been able to piece together is this:
- Gateway just renovated their facility by the airport
- It is now only Auto/diesel courses. Almost ALL aviation related courses have been dropped.
- It would cost $10k to move it since the wheels were frozen.
- USAF said either find someone (organization) to take it otherwise CHOP CHOP and MELT MELT.
- Local EAA chapters were not notified to the best of my knowledge.
- Staff at the Gateway facility were told to get rid of it as soon as possible.

I'm having a hard time letting this go so I'll probably update ya'll when I find out more.

RATMAN

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If the wings aren't bent, then why bother?

It really is disappointing to hear that Gateway would scrap this airplane. It would seem that an establishment such as theirs who use to teach aviation related courses would understand the historical significance of this aircraft and make a little effort to find it a new home.
I would be interested in hearing about any airframe here in the states that could be a good candidate to make a flyer. It's worth looking at even knowing the engine was it's biggest problem.
Thanks
David

I'll post this again here because I didn't get any response the first time.

Does anyone know the status of F-84F-30-GK S/N 51-9420? I was told it went to Cavanaugh for possible restoration to flying condition.

It had been at the Olympic Flight Museum, and had been issued an N-number but I don't have it with me.

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Curtis Block

I've seen too many airplanes destroyed by the term "Static Restoration."

Well guys,

I am sorry to say, but the Gateway bird is doomed. I am posting a few photos taken by Andrew (a.k.a. ratmanusn) of what is left of her. I pursued this a bit as I have had a small part in saving one other F-84F from destruction in the past (s/n 51-9420 N9450, which is the one that is now at Cavanaugh's).

I spoke with the owner of the recycling company this morning, and there is no way anyone is getting anything from that bird. I know that the Cavanaugh 'Streak was missing some tail feathers and I wanted to see if there was any chance of buying them. He was very firm in stating that "The wings and tail feathers had already been "processed", and the fuse was not far behind, They DO NOT sell or donate anything to anyone, as their attorneys have advised them against it for liability reasons. They are a large company, and it is the policy they abide by." No if's, and's or but's!

Here's the pics. Caution....these are graphic!







Thanks to our man Andrew who has kept us up on this. It looks like this one was doomed before the axe man even arrived. Such a shame.

Curtis, you would probably have to get with the Cavanaugh folks on their 'Streak. A couple of them post on here regularly. When I was there last year, she was still in storage.

Steve

P.S. Please note that all photos in this post are courtesy of Andrew Radovan

The Combat Air Museum in Topeka, KS seems to have a decent one in their collection. But I have no idea what his actual mechanical condition is.





Pima of course have these two very nice ones:



Don't think these would ever put back into flying condition...

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Michel C
Thousands of a/c pics at Passion-Aviation

That sucks so bad. Hopefully the local nespaper will do an article on the schools ineptness. One small consolation is that the worldwide surviving F-84's just got a little more rare and slightly more valuable.

I am on my way to Phoenix (via car) and drove past and around the Amarillo, TX - Rick Husband Int'l Airport... there is an F-84 there on the far East side of the airfield in the company of an OV-10 near the CAP Hangar... has the number 0-26553 on the tail. I haven't looked the plane up, but it looked in decent condition... does anyone have the story on it?

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Ryan Keough
Stow, MA

I haven't read all of the posts on this thread, but there used to be 2 F-84's at Arlington Airport (Washington) as part of The Air Station Museum. The museum is now closed, but I don't know the disposition of the F-84's.

RICK

look at the seat and engine still fitted...shame.....

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Cheers,
Peter

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Sad, sad pictures Steven. Can't believe the scrap guys wouldn't sell any parts of her at all. Another warbird gone forever

You guys ever heard of the T-3 Fireflys that were at Hondo, TX ? Same policy, different aircraft.

Apologies for bumping an old thread, but this made me curious: where exactly is this located, if it is still there? I've never heard of this location, or these aircraft before.

I thought id add to this, pretty nice condition. Based at KHUF. Its a former IN ANG. they lost their F-16s and changed to the 181st Intelligence Wing, so not sure if you could get anywhere on this one.