Warbird Information Exchange

I visited the Olympic Flight Museum yesterday. It is located at the north side of the airport at Olympia in Washington state.

Not too much had changed since was last there in April 2004. The aircraft had be moved around in the hanger and I was therefore able to get some decent angles of their Grumman Avenger and Douglas Skyraider. Last April those two airframes had been parked in a corner of the hanger in preparation for a big dinner to held in the hanger and I wasn’t able to get any decent shots. I still use film so I guess I will see if my shots this time turned out better. I doubt it will be a problem since I was using a tri-pod.

There was a Bell 47 in the hanger in US Army markings. I didn’t have much time and I forgot to ask before I left what the history of the airframe was, so if anyone here knows please share.

Also in the hanger was the P-51 “American Beauty” and the Harvard/Zero. There was also Huey parked across the end of the hanger in med evac markings. Hanging from the ceiling was a single seater V-1 Buzz Bomb. The T-28 fuselage was also inside.

Outside were the usual suspects including a Huey, Cobra, Hunter, EE Lightning, Tweet and a H-52. I was hoping to see some more fire fighting Hueys nearby on the ramp, but it was a raining dreary day anyway, and it wasn’t the right season anyway.

A nice place to stop by if you get the chance.

Also on the way back to Seattle I saw a pole mounted F-101 Voodoo at what appears to be the entrance of the AFB South of Tacoma. I saw it when driving by on I-5. At that time I didn’t have the time to spare to stop, but if anyone else gets a chance to check it out you want to get off I-5 at exit 122.

That’s it for the OFM.

Regards,

Mike

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Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

Hi Mike,
Just curious did you happen to notice the rather ragged looking F-84F Thunderstreak that they have? I was wondering if they have made any progress towards restoring her? Thanks

Shay

Yeah, I forgot that one. It is there. They refer to the collection outside as the restoration projects. They should refer to them as the "we haven't gotten around to them yet projects". Of course people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. The Canada Aviation Museum has a much worse track record in a similar regard.

The F-84 didn't look any different than last April.

Mike

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Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

Well guys,

Since I played a small role in the Olympic Flight Museum's acquisition of that F-84F, I can tell you that even though she looks tough now, she is in a lot better state than she was when I first found her. Brian wasn't given a lot to work with when he took delivery of ol' 51-9420.

She's in good hands, but is missing a lot of parts. If anybody knows where there are some Thunderstreak bits laying around, let him know.

(I know where her engine is, and I'm still working on getting that too....)

Steve

Steve
I was talking with Brad Pilgrim who was also trying to help the Olympic Museum out by finding F-84F parts. I told him that I knew of 2 dismantled RF-84Ks out at Wright-Patt AFB that I believe were used in the restoration of another "K". I also email a fellow out at Qlympic by the name of Terri and got no response. If I can help let me know.

Shay
Here's the first post on those "K's" My Brother is no longer hosting the pics, but if you like I can email them to you.
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=11707&highlight=#11707

Thanks Shay,

I'll zip you a PM in the next day or so.

Have a good one!

Steve

Should have met up with me. I could have showed you all the Area 51 hangars full of aircraft on the airport. Including the Allison Powered "Animal".

Brian Reynolds

I'm still trying to help the museum with the F-84 parts. It's just that I'm sitting in the Arab part of the world right now and can't do much from here!
As Steve said above, we weren't given alot to work with when the F-84 arrived. We do the best we can with what we have.

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Brad

Brad,

Saw some of your guys in the "Reserve & Nationasl Guard" magazine. Shows them doing some work in Georgia back in August. Didn't know if that might be your crew or not.

Also saw Mr. Reynolds doing his thing in the AH-1 on the "Tycoons" series on Discovery Channel. That's still my favorite wingless warbird!

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Rob Mears
'Surviving Corsairs' Historian
robcmears@yahoo.com
http://www.robmears.com

Wingless?The Cobra is one of a few Helicopters that does have wings. Small ones that carry weapons and help with lift in high speed turns.

And a couple of skinny ones on the top that spin 'round and 'round to create lift....

Cheers,

Brett

You should get a raiding party together to go grab the parts sitting by the dump at Wright Patt that Rob Rohr posted photos of a few months ago.

Shay,
If you called Terri a fellow I'm not surprised that you didn't get a reply has she is infact a very nice lady.
OFM is one of the best small museums there is. You can get up close and personal with the aircraft, don't need to sign a security aggrement to take photos or get asked if your going to sell them. Everyone there is very nice and helpful. Even that Gary guy that hangs around the P-51.

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Don't touch my junk!!

Brian,

In the event that I ever come out there again, can I have a private tour of the hangers??? Better yet, I just want to drive the Animal one more time!!!!!

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Brad