Warbird Information Exchange

It's been a couple of years since I've asked if anyone has a photo of the F6F-5N Hellcat, 79669, displayed on the base green at Moffett Field as early as 1964/65 (when I last saw it), and possibly as late as 1972.

John Kerr posted the only photo I've ever seen of it here on Dec 29th two years ago. Thanks again John!

I'm thinking by now some new WIXERS have come on board that might have other photos and/or solid information on this mystery bird.




If I don't ask about it at least once every year or two it starts to feel like I never tried. Maybe some of you know the feeling.

I grew up near Moffett, and remember seeing it many times on the way in for an air show. Was it the same bird that was assigned to NACA there?
I seems that my brother took a picture of it at one time. It would take some real digging, though. maybe someday..........
Paul in CA

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Paul in CA

BuNo 79669 was NACA208 and was assigned to the Ames Lab from May 1958 to September 1960. I don't have the photo you are looking for but here is one taken of that plane on May 17, 1958.[img][img]http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/461/f6fnaca208me7.jpg[/img]
[/img]

Found another shot in my files, believe I may have got this from Bill Larkings.

John& Bill,

Thanks much for the new photos!

John, I notice on your photo (properties) it says: NASMiramarSept1974

So the mystery of its fate takes a new turn if the airplane was moved to Miramar. Do you know any details?


Lowell Thompson
Kellogg, Idaho

The picture is actually mine and is seen on Flickr now at http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaref/807 ... 748480134/ in a set from a tour round Miramar on 2nd Oct '74
It was on Webshots until they decided to close up shop
But I still have no idea where it went afterwards!

eLaReF

Hopefully, Lowell has an internet account in heaven.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=49008

Nice to think it might turn up again one day... The world needs more Hellcats.

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Defending Stearmans on WIX since Jeff started badmouthing them back in 2005.

Can someone add this picture to the registry?

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Live to fly, Fly to live.....

I've already added it to that part of the forum
Not sure what happens after that though.
Had I even had a hint of it's rarity then I 'might' have paid it a bit more attention and taken a few more shots from other angles, but I was in 'Brand New' Tomcat country when we saw it.
From memory, it was near VF-121s area, but I would need to dig out the negatives and follow their sequence to check

It was beside the tower when I saw it, not in Tomcat country - see below A-4 nose

I have added the image to the profile for this aircraft. Thanks.

http://www.warbirdregistry.org/f6fregis ... 79663.html

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That Hellcat in VF-17 markings is F6F-3 in VF-5 marking now at SDAM. Chick Smith had it transfered there when he retired from the Navy at Miramar. He got it from Moffett Field. Z11 went to Pima and then Pensacola.

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Don't touch my junk!!

Interesting timing on the resurrection of a five year old thread. I picked up a small radio control Hellcat in these markings two days ago. Looks like I'll need a white band on the cowl.

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The lower white section on the rudder needs shortening as well!