Trip to the Museum of Aviation Robins AFB

Brad · **Joined:** Thu Apr 29, 2004 10:30 pm **Posts:** 1131

That C-124 was never anywhere around Mercer. It came from Harlingen in the back of a C-5 in the early 80's.

RareBear · **Posted:** Fri Apr 03, 2009 9:41 pm

Having been to the Mercer field many times, I cannot even begin to imagine anyone attempting to land a C-124, or even more remotely, take off again. The runway at Mercer is about 3,500 ft, and grass. It's usable length is probably much less than that, considering the obstacles at the north end.

Walt

RareBear · **Posted:** Fri Apr 03, 2009 9:50 pm

Sounds like you've got a keeper there, Chris. Congratulations and best wishes.

Walt

Chief · **Joined:** Mon Dec 31, 2007 7:18 pm **Posts:** 187

Walt,

I don't see how that C-124 got to Mercer either. However, I found a photo of it there at Mercer posted on the WIX Hangar by CG51 on July 09 2006. He said the photo was taken in 1988. I'm just curious to find the tail number and what happened to it.

John[/u]

Brad · **Joined:** Thu Apr 29, 2004 10:30 pm **Posts:** 1131

The KC-97 and C-124 arrived on three different trips in a C-5 between the end of 85 and the beginning of 86.

Here's the C-124 in the mid to late 90's. At least I think that's when I took it. This was probably the first repaint the plane had since leaving Harlingen.

Here's a couple from Airliners.net after it came to Georgia.
http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Ai ... 0945186/M/

Here's several pictures of it at Harlingen that I found on Airliners.net
http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Ai ... 0235509/M/
http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Ai ... 0182495/M/
http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Ai ... 0189184/M/
http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Ai ... 0189185/M/

Here's the one from CG51 a few years back. If you notice, the serial number seems to end in "34" or maybe "94". Also, the wording above the wing isn't on the plane at Harlingen.

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... highlight=

Django · **Posted:** Mon Apr 06, 2009 2:44 pm

Thanks Chris. That is quite the collection, and I was not familiar with it at all!

cozmo · **Posted:** Mon Apr 06, 2009 3:22 pm

Brad wrote:

Here's the C-124 in the mid to late 90's. At least I think that's when I took it. This was probably the first repaint the plane had since leaving Harlingen.

Wow, I really like it when some one can add information about how these air museum planes move about.

I never knew that the big plane that fascinated me in Harlingen as a kid was the same one I was looking at in the early 90's. Sorry for the quality, used to have to be reminded to take pictures. I would rather look at the planes then take their pictures. One of the many things I regret now days.
In Harlingen:

In Georgia:

AirJimL2 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 06, 2009 3:41 pm

Brad wrote:

Here's the one from CG51 a few years back. If you notice, the serial number seems to end in "34" or maybe "94". Also, the wording above the wing isn't on the plane at Harlingen.

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... highlight=

I think CG has his photos mislabled. That pic wasn't taken at Mercer, it was taken at the Detroit Institute of Aeronautics at YIP. That is their Bronco in the background and the C-124 does say Institute on the side.

So yea, no C-124 at Mercer I think.

Jim

P.S.: The YIP C-124 was 52-0994 and is now at McChord in WA.

Brad · **Joined:** Thu Apr 29, 2004 10:30 pm **Posts:** 1131

AirJimL2 wrote:

I think CG has his photos mislabled. That pic wasn't taken at Mercer, it was taken at the Detroit Institute of Aeronautics at YIP. That is their Bronco in the background and the C-124 does say Institute on the side.

So yea, no C-124 at Mercer I think.

Jim

P.S.: The YIP C-124 was 52-0994 and is now at McChord in WA.

That makes sense. I was wondering what it said on the side of the plane but I couldn't figure it out. If that is the plane at YIP then it's now at McChord and would have been the last C-124 to fly.

Chief · **Joined:** Mon Dec 31, 2007 7:18 pm **Posts:** 187

Here is the photo of the C-124 at Mercer Field that I was referring in my previous post. It was originally posted on WIX by CG51 in July 2006. All I see is grass in the photo. I'm curious as to how it got there on that short grass strip and what ever happened to it. I can see that it was at some school because of the lettering on the fuselage.

One of my missions after retiring was to find and visit all of the remaining C-124's. I've found all of them. But, I still need to get to Korea to see 0943.

John

AirJimL2 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 06, 2009 5:13 pm

Chief,

See above, that photo was taken at Detroit, not Mercer. You can just make the OV-10 behind the T-2 tip tank. You can also see Institute written on the C-124.

Jim

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Mon Apr 06, 2009 5:53 pm

Quote:

the Dukes of Hazzard museum in Nashville.

You're kidding right :shock:

Were's the A-Team museum :?:

BTW nice pics and the camo on the C-46 looks really good!!

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Mon Apr 06, 2009 7:19 pm

Jack Cook wrote:

Quote:

the Dukes of Hazzard museum in Nashville.

You're kidding right :shock:

Were's the A-Team museum :?:

BTW nice pics and the camo on the C-46 looks really good!!

No jokes Ha Ha

ANd it was my birthday while I was on vacation, and she made me this awesome cake. She is a keeper guys.

Django · **Posted:** Mon Apr 06, 2009 7:25 pm

That rocks man. Good for you!!

Zachary · **Posted:** Mon Apr 06, 2009 7:32 pm

Jack Cook wrote:

Quote:

Where's the A-Team museum :?:

Is there an A-Team museum?!?! I'm so there if there is! I pity the fool who stands in my way!

Awesome cake!

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