Warbird Information Exchange

Iclo,

The B-24 is complete and unrestored essentially just as she came from the Indian Air Force. She is a real time capsule that is amazing to look at. Dave Tallichet maintained her in a flyable condition but there was little if any restoration done to her while he owner her. I did see that the wiring behind the instrument panel had been replaced with more modern wiring but other than that she is bone stock .



The Indian Air Force was operating this B-24J and the others that they had up until the late 1960’s for maritime patrol. I believe this is why we have the few surviving J’s that we do. Some of the hoses inside Kermit’s B-24J still had inspection dates from the Indian Air Force days.



Depending on your definition of flyable she could be put back in the air after a thorough annual inspection. She is scrappy inside but is so complete it is amazing. Just like all the other Indian Air Force survivors (Pima, Cosford, Ontario Canada and the Collings Foundation) which are true treasures in that they have survived all these years essentially complete with all of their original interior equipment intact.

Obergrafeter,

I do not think the AT-11 comes in every night. She was sitting outside in Fairbanks, Alaska for 40 years and as a result she has been well preserved. I am sure Kermit will get her inside when he can. Kermit, like all of us, has a fixed amount of hangar space. Unlike the rest of us he is building more hangar space to get everything inside. He has preserved a lot of rare aircraft and is doing a masterful job.

Chuck,

I wish I could have come to see you as I really wanted to get over to Kissimee. I only had that day until 2pm before I had to catch my flight home. The next time I am in your neck of the woods I will come and see you.

Thanks,
Taigh

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To donate to the PV-2D project via PayPal click here http://www.twinbeech.com/84062restoration.htm

We brought her from: to this in 3 months: Help us get her all the way back

All donations are tax deductible as the Stockton Field Aviation Museum is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Tell a friend as the Harpoon needs all the help she can get.

Thank you!

Taigh Ramey
Vintage Aircraft, Stockton, California
http://www.twinbeech.com
'KEEP ‘EM FLYING…FOR HISTORY!'

WOW!
That place is amazing!

The Laird is gorgeous.

Is that yellow and orange thing with the wings off a Curtiss Robin with an OX-5?

I am still kicking myself because I let my wife talk me out of going out there when were in Florida a few years ago...All I got to see, besides the Mouse, Universal and the Gatorland, was about 1 hour at NASA and 1 hour at Reilly's...

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Zane Adams
There I was at 20,000 ft, upside down and out of ammunition.
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It is nice to see "Grace" again. I haven't seen her since she left our place several years ago. Nice to see she has a roof over her head and is well taken care of. I would love to see that F9F out on display one of these days. Thanks for posting.

Ryan

I thought you might like that shot Ryan. That Panther sure is in good shape especially considering that she was in a park for so long.

Keep in mind that the shots in the original post were all taken in the restoration and storage hangar. There are a lot more awesome aircraft on display in the main hangars.

It is certainly worth a drive way out of your way to see some amazing aircraft.

They also have a New Standard and a Stearman flying rides to the public. These are not Kermit's aircraft but belong to a private group. The biplanes flying off of the grass strip sure add to the experience.

Thanks,
Taigh

_________________
To donate to the PV-2D project via PayPal click here http://www.twinbeech.com/84062restoration.htm

We brought her from: to this in 3 months: Help us get her all the way back

All donations are tax deductible as the Stockton Field Aviation Museum is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Tell a friend as the Harpoon needs all the help she can get.

Thank you!

Taigh Ramey
Vintage Aircraft, Stockton, California
http://www.twinbeech.com
'KEEP ‘EM FLYING…FOR HISTORY!'

Taigh,
Any more photos of the L-1?

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REMEMBER THE SERGEANT PILOTS!

I have a couple of more shots of the L-1 on my lap top at home. I will post them tonight.

They have a second L-1 there that belongs to someone else. They are rebuilding the wings for him as part of a trade. When it is done they will send it back to the owner.

_________________
To donate to the PV-2D project via PayPal click here http://www.twinbeech.com/84062restoration.htm

We brought her from: to this in 3 months: Help us get her all the way back

All donations are tax deductible as the Stockton Field Aviation Museum is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Tell a friend as the Harpoon needs all the help she can get.

Thank you!

Taigh Ramey
Vintage Aircraft, Stockton, California
http://www.twinbeech.com
'KEEP ‘EM FLYING…FOR HISTORY!'

Great pics. What's the story on the red "Budweiser" bird?

Wish I had pics of kermit flying the L-1 for a banner pickup!! He came up to HWO and went through our course to learn how and bought the stuff to advertise his museum(Pre Andrew). Was cool when he came up for some training, he flew a ratty looking T-6

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Long Live the N3N-3 "The Last US Military Bi-Plane" 1940-1959
Badmouthing Stearmans on WIX since 2005