Skyraider 139665 Restoration

[Rajay]

Of the four airframes that were saved from Thailand: this is one, one is at the Smithsonian, another is with Bob Grondzik in San Diego, and the E-model is with Danny Summers. As far as I know these (three) are the only actual Vietnam veteran Skyraiders in civil hands.

If you haven't heard the story of their escape see:

http://www.airspacemag.com/military-avi ... scape.html

Ken

Did anybody else notice that on page 6 (of 7) in the Air & Space article, they attributed the R-3350 engine of the A-1 to Pratt & Whitney?

Air & freakin' Space can't get something like that correct?

Maybe they also think that Boeing designed the DC-3 and Cessna built the B-29....

Actually, the exact passage was:

"Aderholt ordered Youngblood and Major Jack W. Drummond, both pilots who had flown Skyraiders years earlier, to U Taphao to fly the A-ls to a 'less conspicuous location.'

'Start, taxi, and run up were accomplished and the thrill of sitting behind the single 3350 [Pratt & Whitney engine] came rushing back,' wrote Drummond of the incident in a recent A-1 Skyraider Association newsletter. "

So maybe the fault is with the memory of the pilot writing in the A-1 newsletter, but the bracketed comment seems to have been added by the editors of the Air & Space magazine article. In any case, somebody goofed!

[Pogmusic]

Maybe THIS is where the alternative engine concept started in the DoD?!?!?!

[Ken]

Just found a short video on youtube of the A-1 making a local flight in TN. Looks like she was not repainted - wonder if they are trying to preserve the original paint or if it's a work in progress. The tail codes are half there which makes it seem like a work in progress.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzGJR6sB_Po

Congrats to Neal and the gang for having such an historic airplane in their collection!

[travis2500]

The paint is from its combat days. My understanding is that the new skins and other areas will be touched up and blended in to match the existing, and the nose art for Lt. America will likely be restored on the right cowling and the new left cowling will likely get the same nose art.

Travis

[Ken]

I'm all for preserving the original paint, even if it's not as pretty as a finished product. The irony is the final top coat of camo on this particular batch of 4 A-1s rescued by Tallichet may have been applied after the war. On skyraider.org there is a photo of all 4 (including 665) in fresh paint - one could deduce this was accomplished after they were gathered at their hiding place awaiting the day that they'd be rescued and floated downriver and back to the USA.

Can't wait to go see her.

Ken

Last edited by Ken on Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[TimAPNY]

Well the plane arrived at the museum today. I guess they didn't want anyone taking pictures of it, so the announcement was after the fact. I checked the sight last night as I have every night for the past couple of months and there was no mention of it.

http://www.tnairmuseum.com/node/57

Kinda sucks as I was in Sevierville today for the Smokies game and could have easily gone to the museum. I'll be out of state for the Salute to Veterans event in a couple of weeks so I likely won't get to see her fly until next spring. Tim, I'm counting on you to get some kick butt photos. On a happier note, I got to meet Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg.

I feel your pain on the web announcement. I've been checking faithfully several times a week. I hope they fly it on the 19th.

Tim

[oscardeuce]

They gonna put a toilet on the hard point?

http://midwaysailor.com/midwayva25bomb/ ... b-001b.jpg

I'd love to see that!

[TimAPNY]

They gonna put a toilet on the hard point?

http://midwaysailor.com/midwayva25bomb/ ... b-001b.jpg

I'd love to see that!

That would be great! Even if they just hang it while it is in the hanger.

Tim

[TimAPNY]

I took a trip out to the Tennessee Museum of Aviation's Veteran's Salute this Saturday, that is another story that will be covered, but I had a great time and got to talk with Neal Melton and get a person tour of the aircraft. It is something else!









And a sample of the battle damage the aircraft still carries.



More to come when I have a bit more time to post them and give some details of the day.

Tim

[ktst97]

Neal's Skyraider is a WIP.
And ya just gotta love those round motors.

Last edited by ktst97 on Wed Sep 23, 2009 6:49 pm, edited 3 times in total.

[TimAPNY]

Here they are! Sorry I forgot to post the link yesterday.

http://tailhook-studio.smugmug.com/Airp ... 4870_wXLso

Tim

[ktst97]

Kim's shots of the A-1H are very similar to yours, Tim. ("wonderful" lighting there)
But her shots of the P-47s sorta took a dump.

[Matt_in_NC]

My Dad flew Hueys over there. He said that if you ran into a Sandy driver in the bar (they mostly all flew A-1s), it was a no-brainer that you bought him a drink or at least offered... Everybody loved those guys...and rightfully so. Very nice restoration! I love time capsules.

[BK]

Tim, great photos as usual. I really really like that they didn't repaint it to look like it just came out of the factory. It looks like she just flew a sortie, complete with battle damage! She'll be perfect once they finish the nose art. I can't wait until next spring to see her in the air.

BK

PS That visiting C-45 really made a low pass.

[airnutz]

oops