Warbird Information Exchange

Okay, I figured since y'all are used to me posting pictures of the rattlesnakes we catch around here, me finding a Cobra in the hangar wouldn't be much of a surprise.

The other day, a U.S. Marines Cobra broke down here in Midland. A couple of seals in the rotor head had failed and they needed to replace the entire head before they could continue. A C-130 came in to deliver the parts and we let them use our hangar, crane, and Mark. Actually, Mark Baxter was a huge help to them, as he worked the crane for them and got their equipment moved around. Atta-boy, Mark!

One thing that was impressive was that the helicopter was in the hangar less than thirty minutes before they were asking Mark to come pull the main rotor blades off. They weren't messin' around here..........










It took more time for them to get the parts here and to get the mounds of paperwork done than it did to do the entire repair. Ultimately, they got it all back together today and started test flying it. I reckon it'll be leaving tomorrow, but it was nice to know that the CAF was able to be at least a little help to them.






Oh yeah, and the Chief Inspector had to put in his two cents worth ............










Gary

Just gotta love that snake. . . .

Tom P.

Tell us the truth Gary...

You did zap that bird with a CAF decal somewhere, right?

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

Dang, that's a pretty good idea. I haven't yet, but I still have time.

Gary

I hope so!

Very cool you could help them out.

Hey, think they have any pull with the Navy and can drag back some "junk" from a lake somewhere, in exchange for all that great Texas hospitality?

very cool that you could help aviators in need on the road!

Put the CAF decal under a weapons pylon - be a bit before it was discovered!

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Bob

When I was in the Corps we had a stencil with our squadron logo and number on it. Whenever a transient or visiting A-4 pilot would park on our ramp we would offer tohelp launch him out as a goodwill gesture. Most pilots start at the left drop tank and walk counter clockwise around the aircraft before going up the ladder. As the pilot made his way up the ladder, or while seated with the engine running, and the plane captain was positioned to his 2 o'clock position,
a couple of Marines would spray paint our squadron insignia on his left drop tank right beside the fuel cap!
We never got caught and I'm sure a couple of pilots had to explain at their home base why they didn't check their fuel caps before flying!
Fun times!

Gary, I was on the go seeing you this afternoon. What a sorry SOB I was in not congratulating you on your new position.

Forgive me!

Stephen

I'm sure the Marines appreciated Col. Mosquito giving their ship a "cat scan".

Dean the pseudo-comedian

(seriously, it was great that the CAF was able to help them out, and I'm sure they won't forget it)

Or better yet, an N-number!

while on tour with the pacific prowler last year we got tagged by the east coast demo team.

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http://www.fighterfactory.com/
http://www.militaryaviationmuseum.org/



Jon

What that Cobra really needed is a "Blastard" sticker. Maybe the pilot had one applied to his flight suit.

Or perhaps spray this insignia on the a/c. But then again, I guess this wouldn't do in the PC times we live in...
http://www.airlinehobby.com/listings/de ... =558286763



T J

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Make my day, punk!

Well, I never did tag them with a sticker. I just handed them out to the guys. Mark was really the "hero" in this deal, as he's the one that gave them all of the help. All I did was give them a tour through the B-29. But either way, it was nice that the CAF could help. They should be on their way back to North Carolina this morning.

Gary