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Fri Nov 14, 2008 2:03 pm

Brad wrote:When I was stationed at Dyess, the B-66 was sitting about where the B-1 is. Maybe a little farther back towards the hospital. I'll be through there on Tuesday or so on my way to visit my parents and move to Altus so I'll drop by Dyess and look.

Brad


Excellent Brad. And while you're there, make sure you ask someone why it's being neglected like that.

Gary

Fri Nov 14, 2008 2:22 pm

Hate to say it, but based on my experience with aircraft on dirt runways, it looks like its a sitting target aircraft on a practice bombing or gunnery range. Where at Dyess is it sitting, or does this make sense.

I have been to many bases where old planes were used as targets for sighting practice for bomb droppers and bullet poppers in TAC.

Hope I am wrong, would not like to see a good airplane get torn up that way.

Kurt

Fri Nov 14, 2008 2:27 pm

No bombing or gunnery that close to an active facility, Kurt. It will be interesting to find out why they moved it out there since Brad has seen it on display.

Fri Nov 14, 2008 2:36 pm

Brad wrote:When I was stationed at Dyess, the B-66 was sitting about where the B-1 is. Maybe a little farther back towards the hospital. I'll be through there on Tuesday or so on my way to visit my parents and move to Altus so I'll drop by Dyess and look.

Brad



Cool, don't forget your camera :)

Fri Nov 14, 2008 4:05 pm

Maybe used to train rescue personnel for crew evac? There are a lot of tire tracks out there, so it sees a bit of traffic.

Fri Nov 14, 2008 4:25 pm

Not real sure of the differences between the EB-66 and the A3D aka 'Whale'. The A3D used to stand for 'All Three Dead' when the Navy used them. Hell I never liked being on deck when the Spook versions would come in from VQ-1 or VQ-2. Those things landed funny.

Fri Nov 14, 2008 4:44 pm

planenutti wrote:Not real sure of the differences between the EB-66 and the A3D aka 'Whale'. The A3D used to stand for 'All Three Dead' when the Navy used them. heck I never liked being on deck when the Spook versions would come in from VQ-1 or VQ-2. Those things landed funny.



Well a big difference is that the B-66 had ejection seats, the A-3 didn't. I imagine a cold cat shot made for "all 3 dead" without ejection seats...

What do you mean they landed funny?

Fri Nov 14, 2008 4:58 pm

They just never seemed to steady up on the glide slope. Maybe it was their size and slow speed but they sure looked like they were waddling aboard instead of landing.

RB-66 @KDYS

Fri Nov 14, 2008 5:01 pm

Gents,

Brad pretty much hit the nail on the head, the Destroyer was moved off of its pad to make room for the B-1 now on display, I was deployed when the move happened but it was between Feb 04 and early Aug 04. Don't worry about a practice gunnery range or her being a target as the large buildings of her right wing are the base medical hobby shop. I am not sure I'll ask some buds, but I figured she would be back in place by now.

The Dyess Statics get (as most AD facility statics) a little TLC about every 10-12 months and are "sponsored" by on base and local organization on top of that, so some receive some extra care. All and all a nice collection that was great to look at on the LONG drive out the main gate.

Fri Nov 14, 2008 10:13 pm

Hercules, do you also remember a T-33 used in the fire training area I believe down by the south side :?: I stumbled across it years ago during an open house trying to get closer shots of the B-1 line-ups. I have a film picture of it but have not located it.
Thanks.

T-33

Fri Nov 14, 2008 10:16 pm

Yeah, she is a fire trainer sitting on her Belly, pretty rought. In four years I managed to only get one good snap shot of her during a Touch N Go, would love to get a copy of your photo if you can scan.

Mon Nov 17, 2008 4:15 pm

I asked a good friend who just PCS'ed from Dyess about the 66. She is good friends with the guy who is over the statics. Here's her reply:

"It's a money thing. The RB-66 is awaiting renovation funds...as all bases
are. The priority of funds has been and is going overseas right now,
understandably."

Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:01 am

The RB-66

Image

Image


The T-33

Image

????

Wed Nov 19, 2008 4:07 am

Brad,

When did you take these photos? How did you get that shot of the T-33?

Wed Nov 19, 2008 7:49 am

Thanks for the info. bluehawk15 and for the pics Brad. Nice! Boy that Destroyer really is out in the weeds, eh? Did you check the hatch to the rear of the nose wheel for a peak inside?
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