Austin Acres!!!!!

[Jack Cook]

Just lift the nose up with a fork lift and set it in the back of your truck and drive it on home

[retroaviation]

Just lift the nose up with a fork lift and set it in the back of your truck and drive it on home

It's funny you mention that.......because it HAS been discussed!!!

Gary

[Chunks]

Jack Cook wrote:
Just lift the nose up with a fork lift and set it in the back of your truck and drive it on home


It's funny you mention that.......because it HAS been discussed!!!

Gary

It's also been done, but probably not with a voodoo...I think there's been enough T-6s moved around the Houston area with the tailwheel hooked to the tailgate of a pickup that nobody even looks up any more

Kyleb wrote:


You're gonna need a bigger trailer...


Yup....quote of the thread so far!

Gary

Absolutely! The best of the month by far!

Chunks

[retroaviation]

Show 'em that cool shot of the PBY and windmill again, Gary.

Scott

Is this the shot you were talkin' about, Scott?



I reckon I should take a more current picture, although the ol' Cat is still sittin' there. It's just got some C-97 cowlings and landing gear keeping it company now. And y'all probably don't want to see that junk.

Gary

[GARY HILTON]

That is sooo cool! Who is your landscape artist?
Gary H

[Chunks]

Gary's being modest. He has a great place and he's a great guide. Every item he has comes with a story. We really enjoyed the time we spent with you and will probably be back. I just need to think of something we can bring that you don't already have

Toph used to talk about going back to Disney, but now he just talks about going back to "Mid-a-land".




Chunks

[Second Air Force]

That is the photo, Gary. Being a farm kid I can relate to the windmill, and I actually saw the Cat fly at Harlingen in '84.

Scott

[Oscar Duck]

I flew that Cat in US and when she cam "Down Under"...

shame to see her like that..

Isn't she coming to Mark Pilko's place??

[Mark_Pilkington]

I flew that Cat in US and when she cam "Down Under"...

shame to see her like that..

Isn't she coming to Mark Pilko's place??

No unfortunately she isnt, a number of plans to put her to good use in Australia have come to naught, however I believe she will now be destined for a long life with a suitable museum in the USA, and certainly a far better outcome than the pots and pans she was destined for, and certainly what Gary, and I hoped for when we both reacted to that threat.

Despite deteriorating badly after being a flying visitor to Australia in the 1980's, and really close to falling into the hands of the scrappers in the auction, however there is still far too much "good" aeroplane in Sea Bitch to give up on her, despite the areas of bad corrosion.

In regards to "Austin Acres", I tend to consider its the aviation equivalent of the "Field of Dreams" - its where the ghosts of aircraft past come to live rather than crossing over to the great scrapyard in the sky, the C47 cockpit has already moved on to a long term home, the C97 cockpit and other airframes are having similar reprieves.

Perhaps Gary needs a set of night lights and a spectator stand, and then to charge visitors to come and watch the old aeroplanes at play on the field, certainly my type of Disneyland in anycase.

If he builds it....they will come.

regards

Mark Pilkington

[retroaviation]

Here are a few pictures of two of the three 4360s that are out here. I had the lids off the cans today to get these pictures (for an engine rebuilder), but typically, the engines stay covered......








And here's a picture of the F-4 Phantom after burner section. This now belongs to the Collings Foundation, although I'm not sure if they're ever going to come pick it up.......right Rick?




Gary

[Jack Cook]

Heck Gary those 4360s are like oysters Open up the grungy shell and something really good is inside

[Jack Cook]

BTW If you ever start running around it one of these we'll start getting worried about ya

[retroaviation]

That's a good one, Jack. Although, that sidecar in the background kinda resembles an old drop tank.......Hmmmmmm...........................

Gary

[N3Njeff]

dam I like that 4360

Just lift the nose up with a fork lift and set it in the back of your truck and drive it on home

It's funny you mention that.......because it HAS been discussed!!!

Gary

I'd repack the bearings first!