Warbird Information Exchange

How about a few non-props, for no particular reason ....


N76584, Edwards AFB 1998


NX15MU, Oklahoma City 1997


N1VC, Oklahoma City 1997


N99192, Randolph AFB 1997


N2011V, NAS Dallas 1993


N86NA, NAS Ft. Worth 1998


N860AG, Oklahoma city 1997


NX314ST, Oklahoma City 1997


53-1296, Delaware ANG display 1998

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S.

A few notes on this aircraft that might be of some interest.

This specific F86H, #1296 was flown by an old friend, Dave McAllister who commanded the Del ANG from the 142nd FS days. Dave and Bill Spruance were involved in a T-Bird takeoff accident at Scott AFB when they flamed out after rotation. Dave was killed and Spruance survived but was horribly burned and injured.
Bill Spruance (Gen Spruance) became a world wide known vocal proponent of flight safety. His lectures on the subject have been heard all through the military aviation communities.
This aircraft became very well known throughout the United States due to a non military reason. Dave's family owned and operated one of the finest catering businesses in the country. Their specialty was their world famous "Snapper Soup" (Dave's call sign was Snapper as well ). On occasion, he would load up the ammo boxes of this airplane with Snapper Soup and hand deliver it all over the United States to friends, dignitaries, and generally to anyone who asked for it.
I can personally attest that the reputation of this soup was well deserved

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Dudley Henriques
International Fighter Pilots Fellowship

No particular reason is always a good reason to post photos. Thanks.

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

Dudley, thanks for the info. I remember thinking that the jet was in remarkable shape to be a Air Guard display piece - now I know why!

Cindee Lind the 9th (the 86H) was among a long line of Cindee Lind's that Dave flew. The name is a combination of the names of two of his daughters Cindee and Linda.

On the appearance of this aircraft; Bill Jackson was Dave's crew chief. This bird had the finest care of any fighter in the entire inventory. I would put the care this aircraft had in the same class as the care given Jim Beasley's airplanes by Rich Palmer.

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Dudley Henriques
International Fighter Pilots Fellowship

"William W. "Bill" Spruance, a pioneer in the early use of aircraft in the forward air control role, flew 362 missions in the China-India-Burma Theater and continues to be a major force in aviation. A native of Wilmington, Delaware, Spruance received his commission in the US Army Field Artillery Officers Reserve Corps from Princeton University in 1939. He was assigned to Fort Benning, Georgia, as a field artillery forward observer in the 2d Armored Division commanded by George S. Patton. In his spare time Spruance flew his own aircraft, a low-wing Culver Cadet, at the municipal airport where Patton was also learning to fly. Spruance and Patton met, and discussed the role of light aircraft on the battlefield. Patton was duly impressed with the young officer's innovative ideas and understood their applicability. Reporting directly to Patton, Spruance was given authority to develop new techniques, train observers, and fly leaders over their units during maneuvers. Lacking light Army Air Corps (AAC) aircraft, he flew his personal Culver or rented private aircraft. His pioneering work promoted the use of light aircraft throughout Europe in WW II, laying the foundation for today's forward air control mission. At Patton's suggestion, Spruance joined the USAAF in 1942. Enrolled in the first aviation class of officers, he reported to training in his own aircraft asking, "Where do I go to learn how to fly?" He received the top score in class 43A in aerial gunnery but was assigned to fly the C-47 Skytrain because of a shortage of transport pilots. In 1944 he activated and commanded the 4th Combat Cargo Squadron, flying the C-46 Commando. Spruance completed his 362d combat mission while flying the High Hump in the C-54 Skymaster. In October 1945 he left active duty and in 1946 helped found the Delaware Air National Guard. He was later named Chairman of the Delaware Aeronautics Commission. In 1961 Spruance received extensive burns in a near-fatal T-33 crash. He has since delivered a powerful safety message to over 150,000 people in over 1,500 presentations. Spruance was awarded the first AF Distinguished Service Medal given to other than a Regular officer for his work in Vietnam, where in 1968 he briefed over 100 times to more than 10,000 people at 58 bases in 60 days. Other honors include two Distinguished Flying Crosses, four Air Medals, and three Delaware Conspicuous Service Crosses. Spruance is a command pilot with over 4,500 hours. He is Chairman Emeritus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, having been Board Chairman for 17 years. He is a permanent member of the Board of the Air Force Association and is on the Board of the Aerospace Education Foundation. *

(From 'googling' Bill Spruance.)
VL

N86NA, N860AG were both Texas Air Command jets...they are the ex-Bolivian airplanes. Cool to see pics of them.

Thanks!

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Zane Adams
There I was at 20,000 ft, upside down and out of ammunition.
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