Help in Identification of four

[gary1954]

I Shot this at Chino in May 1988.
Any idea as to who/what she is, and what the current status is?



I also shot this at Chino in May 1988.
Any idea as to who/what she is, and what the current status is?


This was shot Midland, Texas 2003 Need ID
Photo Henry Thornton - Lewis Collection


This was shot Midland, Texas 2003 Need ID
Photo Henry Thornton - Lewis Collection

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[AirJimL2]

First one is a Yak-11

The second one is an F8F Bearcat. Either N7825C, N3025, or N7957C.

The SBD is the CAF's A-24 N82GA.

HTH,

Jim

[gary1954]

Thank you Jim

[astixjr]

The first one is actually a Chinese Yak-18 (the one with the five cylinder enclosed cowling). It was imported by Warren Sessler along with the two Chinese Mig-15s in the photo. One Mig is a single seat and the other is a UTI. The photo was probably taken behind John Muszala's hangar. I'm not sure but I think the Yak-18 was restored in CA using a U.S. engine. The single seat Mig-15 went to Columbia Helicopter and then to a museum somewhere in CA. I'm not sure what ever became of the UTI. The single seat Mig was really more Soviet than Chinese. The UTI might have been a Chinese production jet using lots of Soviet parts.

[gary1954]

Thanks Guys, and Albert Stix Jr., anywhere I can locate the serial and Civil numbers?

[astixjr]

About one year ago, I had a call from the museum in CA who has the Mig-15 single seat on display. They were looking for information on it's history and found me through the original importer. I may have sent the stuff to the museum in CA but I recall having some trouble getting back in touch with the caller. I had the file in my car for a long time. Maybe it's still there. When I reserved FAA registration numbers for these planes so I could use a FAA bill of sale, I had problems finding s/n information on all three of these birds. This was all twenty years ago and I drank a lot back then so I might be making some of this up.

[AirJimL2]

The first one is actually a Chinese Yak-18 (the one with the five cylinder enclosed cowling).

Al,

Yes indeed. I forgot about the Yak-18.

Jim

Last edited by AirJimL2 on Mon Aug 25, 2008 2:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[astixjr]

I'm not sure what I should be more concerned about. The fact that I had the file in my car or that I'm reading WIX rather than doing my job at the office. As usual, the Yak-18 was in reasonable shape until the "locals" took it apart and stuffed it in the container. I'm not sure if that is a DC-3 or maybe a Li-2 in the background. Anyone? I remember having a hard time finding S/Ns on these planes. I spent a great deal of time trying to figure out where to look. Somebody finally suggested I use the big red number on the side of the Migs for their S/N. I had just graduated from college after five years so you would think that bright idea might have occured to me but it did not. I'll try to find the rest of the information but I'm not sure if I still have the records. I need to get back to work but I'll see what I can find this evening.

[gary1954]

This is good Thanks man