Warbird Information Exchange

Pardon me if this isn't an appropriate post for the forum... I am working on artwork for decals for the various aircraft of the Tennessee Air National Guard. Thus far, I have completed the current AMC markings for the C-130s of the 118th AW out of Nashville, and the C-5As of the 164th AW out of Memphis:

http://www.drawdecal.com/c130/44s_C130_3tnang.jpg
http://www.drawdecal.com/c5/44sC53.jpg

I would like to turn my focus to the older aircraft (and more appropriate ones for this forum). Does anyone have, or know where I might find good color photo references for any of the following aircraft operated by the Tennessee ANG?

F-47D/N, (R)F-51D, F-82, RB-26C (A-26), RF-80C, RF-84F, F-86D/L, F-102A, and C-97A/G (transport version)

I have found at least a few photos of most, but haven't been able to turn up anything for the F-82s or F-102As. I have both Francillon Air Guard books (Aerofax and Airtime), and the Ginter F-86 book. Any help or guidance anyone can provide would be most appreciated.

Thank you in advance,
Mike

There is just one 1964 photo of a Knoxville 102 in the book "Convair F-102 Delta Dagger" by Wayne Mutza...Schiffer, 1999.

It just shows a gray 102 (57-0775) in standard markings, with the Minuteman ball logo on the tail. The only unit markings is "Tenessee" in small letters above it.

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.

Thanks for the heads up on the photo in the Mutza book. Will have to see about getting a copy....

Mike

Didn't they also fly the F-104A? I'm sure I've seen a b&w photo of the Starfighter in Tennessee ANG service, not sure about any color photos though...

-Derek

Mike if you are doing current Tenn ANG, 118 lost its H2s, which those decals were tail #s for.

Derek,

Yes, the 151st/134th did operate F-104As. In fact, they deployed with them to Ramstein in 1961 during the Cuban Missile Crisis. After the Starfighters, they transitioned to the F-102A in early 1963. They achieved combat readiness in a then-record 6 months. The -102s lasted only about a year before they switched to KC-97s in 1964...

Hercules130,

The 105th/118th did lose some of the H2s, but the last info and photos I have seen show them still operating at least 4 of them alongside the WC-130s they inherited for the Foreign Aircrew Training mission they now have. The decal art was done over a year and a half ago, but should include enough extra numbers to do the "new" WC- aircraft, along with the H2s. I will eventually rework the set to show a WC- illustration when I have the time...

Regards,
Mike

Forgot about TennANG picking up FAT. So they operate Super E's (former WCs) and the remaining H2, fun! Can you say which tails and how many H2s are still left. I was under the impression that 105Xs all went to 1/16 SOW CLR and the remainders went to coop at Pope/Wyoming. Do you have the real scoop on this, would love to read it?

Thanks in advance,

Gary

I have no idea how accurate this paint scheme is, but I took this picture about 10 years ago on base at McGhee-Tyson Air National Guard Base during an open house/air show. This F-86 had been on display in a park in Knoxville for many years and then was moved, given a cosmetic restoration, and is currently displayed in a non-public part of the base.



it's also shown here: http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDos ... Serial=869

Here's a shot of the -104:



and shown here: http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDos ... Serial=870

I have a buddy who's grandfather was a -104 pilot here and recently passed away. I hope to someday scan some of the pictures from his unit that he had.

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Thanks for posting the photos of the aircraft displayed at McGhee-Tyson. Unfortunately, those are not the markings the aircraft wore during their service lives with the unit.

The F-86D/Ls wore this scheme:

http://www.134arw.ang.af.mil/shared/med ... 24-013.jpg

The F-104As were bare metal:

http://www.134arw.ang.af.mil/shared/med ... 24-012.JPG

Mike

Gary,

I don't have any real inside scoop on the disposition of the C-130s. What I have been able to piece together has come from researching online photos and the HerkyBirds forum. As of late last year (After the WC-130s showed up), it appears that the 105th is operating 5 of their original C-130H2s: 89-1181, 1182, 1183, 1184, and 1185. I have only been able to find 6 WC-130s: 64-14861, 65-0963, 0966, 0968, 0980, and 0984. That makes 11 airplanes, and I am pretty sure they are authorized for 12, so I am not sure where the missing one is, or whether it is a WC- or one of the H2s.

Hope this helps,
Mike