TEXAS RAIDERS- First Flight in Seven Years- Oct. 14, 2009

[RAMC181]

Does anyone know for certain whether the seat backs were originally green canvas or were they the stylish yellow as well?

Checking the E&M manual....
"The cushions for the "Bucket" seats are useable as life preservers."

Yellow would therefore be a sensible choice.

Further digging came up with the identification of the individual items: "Cushion, Seat - Type A-1" and "Cushion, Back - Type A-3"

All the best,
PB

[Chris M]

Were you guys out flying around in TR yesterday morning? (Monday 7/5)

A 17 went over the house just before noon, it was already almost out of sight by the time I got out of the garage to see, but it was definitley OD with a red tail.

Always brings a smile to my face!

[SPANNERmkV]

Chris,
TR flew a Maintenance Check Flight on the 4th and three missions on the 5th of July.
Lordy was it warm! But TR flew great and I think we may have sorted out the sqwuaks!

We should be turning 100LL into noise next Saturday July 10th if you want to stop by Hooks.

SPANNER

[Chris M]

I may just do that!

I was thinking the same thing, I was absolutley frying out in the garage, it must have been super hot up there in the plane!

I got lucky again yesterday, coming home from work- you guys were out again, this time flying just West of Willowbrook Mall. It was just after three in the afternoon.

Words cannot express how wonderful it is to see (and hear!) you guys in action!

I think I read you guys are based in the Jet Center on the West side of the field, is that correct?

[SPANNERmkV]

Chris,
Yes we are located on the scenic west side of Hooks at Tomball Jet Center.
It is off of Boudreaux Rd. on Max Conrad Drive.
It is Wing Meeting this Saturday, but we also hope to conduct some Loadmaster Training and get a flight or two in.

I am not certain, but I think yesterday you were seeing Thunderbird. We weren't flying, unless somebody took the bomber up without telling Daddy!

Come On Down!

SPANNER

[DenverWarbirdFan]

Looking forward to seeing you guys in OSH! I haven't seen TR since I was a little kid.

[SPANNERmkV]

Scott and all you other Wixonians,

Look me up when I'm in town! Because I'm a late aviation bloomer this is actually my first visit to Oshkosh!

I hope there is something interesting to see and do!

And other than flying an Aeronca Champ from Virginia to Texas it will be the first time I have flown in a prop job for any appreciable length. I am both looking forward to it and nervous for all the "what-ifs"...

Thunder Over Michigan is going to be a veritable BLAST with all the B17s loitering around!

And the 381st Bomb Group re-union in Nashville is going to be special for them and for all of us in the Triangle L-bird!

SPANNER

[bomberflight]

Don ~ are you guys still planning to have "TR" visit rhe Chanute Air Museum at Rantoul, IL July 23rd - 26th ?

I'm looking forward too to seeing you guys at Oshkosh and then again at TOM

[RV8er]

So there I was yesterday out west of Hooks motoring around in my RV-8 and I see a big old airplane on the horizon, coming right at me. What the heck is that? 4 engines on the wings... C-130? Nope, not enough smoke and wrong shape... oh my, it's a B-17! Y'all were headed westbound climbing outta 2,000 feet or so, so I turned west and throttled up to pace alongside for a bit and fly a loose "formation" off your left side and below. Beautiful sight, but only wish I'd had a camera!

[SPANNERmkV]

So there I was yesterday out west of Hooks motoring around in my RV-8 and I see a big old airplane on the horizon, coming right at me. Beautiful sight, but only wish I'd had a camera!

THE SAME THING happened to me only worse!!!
I was flying Kermit (1945 Aeronca Champ) and I got slotted to land on 17L while TR was landing 17R.
And neither me nor my passenger with a camera. I will probably never be bettered situated for an Air to Air again!

And yes, we are flying into Rantoul for a day or three of revenue rides on July 23. The fine folks at Champaign Lady are hosting us.
I am SO looking forward to meeting them and looking at all their neat stuff!

Check to website at www.gulfcoastwing.org
for all our tour dates and stops.

I feel like I'm running away to join the circus.

SPANNER

[SPANNERmkV]

Dateline Rantoul, Illinois- 26 July 2010.

The Chanute Air Museum has been a GREAT host to TEXAS RAIDERS these last few days.
We brought in a record breaking number of people through the Museum to see TR.

The museum itself is full of so much cool stuff and nice people.
Thanks Robin and Mark and everybody else. Also, Corky over at the FBO rocks!

I kept trying to convince them that I have 0.6 hours in a P-51 and they should cowl up LOUISIANA HEATWAVE and fly chase for TR.
But it's a USAFM plane so they are allergic to flying!!!

Next stop- Oshkosh. Hopefully it is drying out and we can find a spot to park.

BOMBERFLIGHT met us yesterday and is continuing on so we have a flying WIX convention already started. Be on the look-out for us at AIRVENTURE.

Fly on!

[kalamazookid]

Great to hear about the big crowds!

I'm looking forward to the Kalamazoo stop next week. Here's an article in the Kalamazoo Gazette about the upcoming visit:

http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2010/07/b-17_bomber_coming_to_air_zoo.html

[Fortress Fan]

Does anyone know for certain whether the seat backs were originally green canvas or were they the stylish yellow as well?

Thanks in advance,

SPANNER

I have a couple of original cushions for my seats, can i send you pictures?

Dave

[Jimmy in Texas]

SPANNERmkV
How is Raiders comming along? What was wrong with the gear?

Jimmy in Texas
Gulf Coast Wing since 1984

[Pogo]

Yeah Don, talk to us! Is TR back in T yet? DANG, I hate that she's way over on the other side of the giganto H'ston mess-o-plex now, but sure am happy she's in a hangar at long last! Hooray! Jimmy, I wonder if I know you -- I've been messin' with Texas (Raiders) since about the same time.

Don! Speak! Good boy!