unpublished, detailed soplata pics circa 2003

[SaxMan]

I would think that Pensacola or the NASM would be interested in the Skyraider prototype. Strange that plane hasn't attracted more interest.

[tom d. friedman]

the cops baited him everywhere he traveled on his route, calling other cops ahead to other towns w/ tickets & pen at the ready. i'm sure you experienced similar leon!!

[marine air]

IT'S THE SECOND OLDEST SURVIVING PROTOTYPE SKYRAIDER. SADLY, THE OTHER ONE IS ALSO SITTING OUTSIDE IN ViRGINIA. MY HOPE IS TO SEE BOTH OF THEM BROUGHT INDOORS. THE ONE IN VIRGINIA TO A NATIONAL MUSEUM AND SOPLATA'S TO A PRIVATE COLLECTOR.

[avenger2504]

Great photos thanks for sharing!

[HELLDIVERS]

The Skyraider has AD-5 wings which do not fit they are bigger and wont work with that airframe

[Woodsy Airfield]

Tom - I got stopped twice in 2 day span for overwidth bringing back F2H sections from Greensboro. This was in Raleigh County, WVA. Was fined on second time with two fines and had to get pilot car. I also was not allowed on Pennsylvania Turnpike at Breezewood for over length load bringing back F9F-8P, but Ohio T.P. let me on...They had longer tape measure !...There is never a trip hauling this stuff around that goes smoothly...at least for me...

[Cherrybomber13]

North American SNJ-6 Texan, N4133A
Walt would run the engine up on the T-6.

North American SNJ-6 Texan, N4133A by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr

North American SNJ-6 Texan, N4133A by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr

North American SNJ-6 Texan, N4133A by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr

North American SNJ-6 Texan, N4133A by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr

Mitsubishi MK4A-11 Kasei 14 cylinder radial engine
Mitsubishi MK4A-11 "Kasei" 14 cylinder radial engine by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr

Mitsubishi MK4A-11 "Kasei" 14 cylinder radial engine by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr

Dick Becker's Wee Bee Homebuilt
Dick Becker's Wee Bee Homebuilt by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr

Dick Becker's Wee Bee Homebuilt by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr

Dick Becker's Wee Bee Homebuilt by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr

Dick Becker's Wee Bee Homebuilt by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr

Dick Becker's Wee Bee Homebuilt by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr

[tom d. friedman]

the item under the blue tarp is a ww2 japanese homare or sakai engine purportedly from a betty bomber. walt got it in trade w/ some museum. some schmuck spray painted it all silver. it's got to be worth a mint. the seaplane in the front yard belonged to cleveland air race legend dick becker. it was a home build of his design. yes, walt would sometimes run up the engine of the t-6 in the front yard next to becker's seaplane. lots more to come ala cherry bomber 13, who i am eternally grateful to for posting my pics.

Last edited by tom d. friedman on Mon Apr 28, 2014 8:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Stoney]

nice house paint on the Texan

[Cherrybomber13]

F-86D
F-86D Saber s/n 53-0715 with post Korean War Radar

The YB-36 Peacemaker
YB-36 Peacemaker s/n 42-13571

YB-36 Peacemaker s/n 42-13571

YB-36 Peacemaker s/n 42-13571

YB-36 Peacemaker Nuke Bomb Shackles

Handley Page Victor K.2, s/n XL191 RAF
Handley Page Victor K.2, s/n XL191 RAF


Douglas DC-7BF, c/n 44924, c/r N757Z

Douglas DC-7BF, c/n 44924, c/r N757Z by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr

Sikorsky H-19

Sikorsky H-19

Goodyear FG1-D (Ken McBrides plane)

Goodyear FG1-D

Goodyear FG1-D

Lockheed P-2V Nose
P-2V Nose by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr

[Snake45]

Does he have another Skyraider, an AD-6? I've heard both that he does, and he doesn't. If he does, do we know the BuNo of it?

[DH82EH]

nice house paint on the Texan

It looks better like that, than it would if it were beer cans. (Although I do like beer mind you )

We warbird owe a debt of gratitude to Walt for saving as much as he did. Thanks for the pictures.

Andy

[peter]

Boy that Victor cockpit XL191 went downhill real fast!

[Speeddemon651]

Whats the best way to contact the Soplata Family? I know a small local warbird museum looking for planes for their collection.

[Barrie MacLeod]

Victor XL191 on 21 September 1985 at Shearwater, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Any of us who wanted to, got to climb inside.
She had a non-fatal crash next year at Hamilton.