Warbird Information Exchange

I need help tracking down some warbirds that are, or once were, located in Pennsylvania. Im mostly looking for cold war stuff. If you know of any please let me know.

-A thread I posted earlier someone stated there was a F-86 as a playground in Freeport Pa. I've done a lot of searching and haven't come up with anything.

-there is rumor that someone is restoring a F-86 in Southwestern Pa area. I know because I keep seeing F-86 parts come up for sale on Barnstormers from the area. But that's as much as I know.

-there was a F-86L that was on display at Post 7714 in Imperial, Pa. But it has since disappeared.

-there was a F-86F for sale in VA last year. What happened to that?

-Jack Fetsko in New London Pa had a small boneyard of Helicopters back in the day. Mostly HUPs and H-21's. Any idea if anything is still there? Leon Cleaver bought HUP-2 128566 from Jack back in 81 and apparently some parts off of HUP-2 128516 (since I have those parts now). I guess some airplane stuff was still there afterward.

-Another Southwestern location: some airplanes in the woods including a F-86 on a mound of dirt. Leon Cleaver made a visit. Looking for info on this location.


Gosh, this warbird tracking stuff is fun.....
Thanks,
Nathan

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From Aero Enthusiast website:

Walter V. Powell
Slippery Rock, PA I have on static display, F-86 F 52-5303. at the W.Pa. Warbird Aviation Museum. Any information this aircraft would be appreciated.
12/15/2007 @ 09:43 [ref: 18926]

How about this from the Slippery Rock Rotary Club facebook page (posted May 2012):

Today’s Program
Major Walt Powell, Western Pennsylvania Warbird Military Museum
Our own Walt Powell grew up around New York City and was fascinated with Aircraft from a very early age. Walt grew up in the days of the Great Depression and knew he wanted to join the Army Air Force. At age 14 he became an assistant aviation mechanic. At 15 ½ he lied about his age (you had to be 16) to begin joining the armed forces. In 1946 when he joined the Army/Air Force he was assigned to Radar School. He later served in WWII and the Korean War. Walt has had a lifetime fascination and passion with aircraft which is the reason he purchased land near Mercer PA to house his many collections of Air Force and other armed service memorabilia.

Walt shared with us models, pictures, and stories of the Hindenburg, Lindenbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis, Amelia Earhart flight around the world via the equator, Jimmy Doolittle (America’s Greatest Pilot), how he met Jimmy Doolittle’s co-pilot, and Pearl Harbor.

Walt also shared a DVD showcasing his W. PA Warbird Military Museum at 58 Cribbs Rd, Mercer PA. 10 – 15 years ago, Walt started collecting uniforms, office furniture, and aircraft. He now has several buildings with planes, parts of planes, simulators, photos, uniforms of all branches of the military from many countries representing different wars, among many other items. Walt is a great historian with a wealth of information and great stories. He would love to share his passion with you. If you are interested in a tour of his museum, call him at 724-794-6747.


https://www.facebook.com/Slippery.Rock. ... 3630044145

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

Ok, F-86F 52-5303 is the one for sale/or was for sale. I think it is owned by Ben Gimbert who also owns a F-4 cockpit display.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=56663


thanks! I haven't been able to find any info on Walts museum though.

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-there was a F-86L that was on display at Post 7714 in Imperial, Pa. But it has since disappeared.

The F-86D(L) was parked on display next to the veterans Post in June 2015.

Nate, if the post from the rotary club is accurate, Major Powell must be in his mid-to-upper 80's. More-than-likely he's not going to be developing a museum website, if that's what you're looking for.

If I lived in Western PA, I'd be contacting the rotary club to get updated contact info on Major Powell (if he's still living). A young guy like yourself showing big interest in what he has achieved and collected could pay big dividends.

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

Walt is indeed alive. He may even answer an email if you drop him a line! If you need contact drop me a PM.

Freeport Sabre was F-86H s/n 52-2043 (ex-167th FIS WV ANG). It was last noted circa 1980.

The Imperial Sabre is F-86L s/n 53-665 (ex-108th FIS IL ANG) and as noted still there. I think it's subject to a change of ownership. Seem to recall some coverage on this very forum a few years back.

Nathan,

If you learn anything about the Fetsko helicopter boneyard, please post the info. VFM is still restoring our CH-21B and we need airframe parts. If there are any usable parts sitting in a boneyard, we need to know about them!

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Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Port Charlotte, Florida

double post-sry

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Thanks to everyone for the help! I contacted the Rotary club and got Walts email address. I also got Ben Gimberts email but it bounced back several times. Walt apparently has a F-86h now and sold the F-86F to Ben.

A year an a half ago I google mapped Imperial Pa and did not see the F-86. Now google map shows the F-86L. I wonder if it went someplace to get refurbished since it kinda looks like it has a fresh coat of paint?

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Nothing left now. But who knows, there might be some parts left behind, hiding under a bush.

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Airplanes in W Pa you might not know about.
F 86 ? On pole Beaver Co Airport
F 86 with radar nose ground dis bout half to greensburg on US Rt 30 going east from pgh. On the right at VFW.
A 7 water treatment plant on pole Weirton WVA
NACA P51 was on pole Pang pitt inter airport now flying
Other assorted aircraft front gate pang pitt inter real ones and full size models all on poles.
Miss Pittsburgh bi plane hanging in ceiling pgh inter near franco in a case
F 86 lyning on the ground bout 10 miles west of Butler on the southside of US rt 422 along with an F4
All can think of right now

thank you very much!

Can you give me some coordinated for the Butler Pa location?

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There have posts on this before do in house search playground planes. Was on hot.air ballon team. I was the chase guy ended up on one lane road that ended in barn yard and there they were just sitting there. No gps stuff.that day but i do the f86 was the freeport bird from the mods for playground do the search get the story and pics