Warbird Information Exchange

A pile of parts in the general shape of a Hurricane?

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Kevin McCartney

At the risk of repeating myself from an earlier post...

While I consider myself a pretty decent nit-picker, especially in the markings/paint category, this seems a pretty fine nit to pick within a vast, varied, well-marked and well-maintained collection.

When I first visited PIma, back in the early to mid-80s, it wasn't much more than a boneyard that was one little bit above the scrapyard - mainly because they had signs out front saying it was a museum. Today, it's lightyears from where it was. Truly one of the greatest collections on the planet. Especially if you're into one-offs and exotics. Pretty much all the planes have displays discussing the type, and the specific airframe on display. Not to mention the growth in hangars and all around continuing maintenance quality of the aircraft. Where else can you see three Connies, the entire B-29 development, not to mention the Harrier development, the Century series....on and on...all while having A-10s whine overhead.

So while a "representative" Hurricane may ruffle feathers...this punches my "come on" eye-roll button.

Pima 4 lyfe, yo.

This is the Hurricane that used to be at Cavanaugh, right? I remember first seeing it in Texas, it did seem quite "off." At least Pima's crew can't be blamed for the quality of the build.

Reminded me of when the NMUSAF first put their Hurricane on display, and it too was only vaguely Hurricane shaped. After a short time they pulled it off the floor and when it came back, it looked a lot better.

We all agree with StangStung about how awesome the Pima museum is, but that isn't the point. Any collection can have a dud. Maybe they'll follow NMUSAF's lead and rebuild it one day.

August

So it does not fall into the category of "real", and I guess you could argue that it is not even a "replica", but certainly it must fall into the category of "otherwise". Nobody seems to have mistaken it for anything other than a Hurricane anyway.

double post, sorry

That’s because NMUSAF shipped theirs off to Hawker Restorations in the U.K. for a makeover.

Here is some of what we've been up to at Pima lately.


The Il-2 went out on display earlier this year.


We got a Meteor T.7 from the UK. It is currently being put back together and repaired from decades of neglect.


The A-20 is fast approaching completion.


F-102 getting a repaint


VH-34 waiting its turn in the paint shop


F-106 also waiting for paint


HUP-3 just finished and headed back to display.

Recent arrivals:

de Havilland Australia Drover.


F/A-18A Hornet. According to the USMC the first Marine Hornet to drop a bomb in Desert Storm.


AH-1W Sea Cobra


Agusta 109


Bell HH-1N Huey

This isn't everything but it is a lot of what we have been working on and adding to the collection recently.

James

When I first visitatIons Pima it was 1976...and believe me, it was a collection of airframes...whole and in part...brought over from D-M.
IIRC, the ticket building was a small travel trailer. There were signs telling you not to go into the ropes off storage area because of the possibility of snakes...I went anyway.

I remember a F-94 fuselage on the ground and a rudder from a K or WB-50.

I have slides from the trip....If the museum would like them, I'd be happy to donate them.

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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.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

Many years ago, they had a spotless HUP on display in one of their buildings. Then I believe it was put outside, it's windows painted over and the paint eventually turned to chalk.
Same airframe?

_________________
Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

Yep, same one. It will be moving back indoors.
James

Beautiful pix, thanks!! Now, if anyone just happens to want to photograph the PB4Y and post again, I for one wouldn't mind too much. Those of us here in LSFM territory were awfully sad to see that bird go away, still miss her and will for a long time to come, though happy she got a great home. Whenever I see her all put together and painted I commence to daydreaming of things that might have been all over again.

Thanks again James, you rock!

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Cheers,
Kurt Maurer
League City, Texas

PIC, Ford 6600 pulling Rhino batwing up and down the runway

Any idea why they moved it outdoors in the first place?
At the time, it was one of the nicer exhibits. I realize that back then Pima didn't have the indoor space that it does today, but it seemed a waste of a nice restoration.

_________________
Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

Holy guacamole! That's a lot of new displays. Looking forward to seeing them in person.

Also - Is that a T-62 I see in the background of one of the pics? Expanding into armor? Or is this some volunteer's weekend hot-rod project? ; )

No idea. It's been outdoors as long as I've been here. I'd guess that exhibit priorities changed and the staff then wanted the space for something else.