Strange civilian uses of warbird parts

[Ztex]

I found these "fans" near Dallas at a building construction research company.
I guess they use them to create wind on test structures.
They kinda look like DC-6 parts to me...

[Nathan]

Well, here around northeast Pennsylvania you won't find a lot of stuff like that. But, there are two I have seen that are rather odd.

First way out in the boonies there is an orphinage or some kind of home for kids out on an old back road. At the entrence to the home there stands an erect 4 blade prop surrounded by a flower bed! It looks like it either came off a F4U Corsair or a Skyraider! I have always wondered about it. Heck, I thought about going and asking the owner if he would like to sell it!

Another odd find was a "MACE" rocket at an American Legion post mounted up on a poll. It is painted all white!

[RMAllnutt]

Here is a B-24 (42-41182) which was written off after a hard landing in 1944 at Long Airfield, Northern Territory, Australia. When the war was over the nose section was sold to a preacher who converted the nose section into a caravan. He toured the Outback extensively with it to spread the word. It changed ownership a couple of times afterwards, and it ended up at a caravan park near Perth, WA. It was rediscovered in the late 80's and flown to Darwin where it is now on display in the Aviation Heritage Centre.

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=150155
http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=150153
http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=150147

Tillerman.

That's really cool! I never heard of that one... nor that a B-52 was on display in Australia. I guess that makes sense though, due to Australia's heavy involvement in the Viet Nam war.

Cheers,
Richard

[K5DH]

Years ago, probably in the late 1970s or early 1980s, I recall seeing on television either a C-47 or DC-3 fuselage that had been made into a motorhome using a diesel truck chassis. The TV program showed it being driven down the street. What a sight to see!

There used to be a hobby shop in southern New Jersey along US 40 which had a 3-blade prop outside along the road as an eye-catcher. It looked to be from a C-47, although it could have been from a B-25. Both the shop and the prop have been gone for a long time.

Since someone mentioned belly tank lakesters being raced at Bonneville, I guess I can bring up all of the unlimited hydroplanes that used Allison and Merlin V-12 engines for power, as well as a few exhibition-type dragsters that used Allisons back in the 1960s. Ever wonder why it's so hard to find a good Allison V-1710? It's because the boat racers used 'em all up!

At Chino airport two weeks ago, I saw the forward fuselage from either a B-29 or B-50 that was apparently being used as a storage shed. It had a wooden wall with a door plugging the open end. It was sitting in a storage compound with a whole bunch of 1950s and 1960s jets, most of which were in poor shape with a lot of parts missing.

Regarding the picture of the "fans" that Ztex took at a construction site outside of Dallas, those look more like DC-7 engines and props to me, rather than DC-6, but I could be wrong. I don't believe DC-6's ever had 4-bladed props.

Cheers!

[retroaviation]

An old time round engine mechanic by the name of Neal Elve made those wind machines that Ztex submitted photos of. He helped us briefly with the B-29 and was a great source of good stories.

He built those up for a fella that used them to test the strength of windows for high rise buildings. I reckon they got to a point where they couldn't run them during the day since the "noise" (music to me) upset all of the downtown Dallas office workers. So they would do these run ups at 2a.m. or similar. He said that usually, the customers didn't care about the windows, they just wanted to see the fire the engine's exhaust produced. So for fun, he'd occasionally make it a little 'fat' on start up and overprime it to cause a bit of a stack fire. After he'd get it shut down, they'd all yell, "Do it again!"

I can't say that I blame 'em.

Gary

[retroaviation]

Oh, and he said they were DC-7 engines......just FYI.

Gary

[Warhawk]

Years ago, probably in the late 1970s or early 1980s, I recall seeing on television either a C-47 or DC-3 fuselage that had been made into a motorhome using a diesel truck chassis. The TV program showed it being driven down the street. What a sight to see!

This one?

http://www.planepictures.net/netshow.php?id=112340

[Ztex]

Oh well I was "close" at least I didn't say they were B-29 engines...

I figured they were either window or roof testing. They are located up on Luna Road north of I-635 now.

Thanks for the info.

Z

[wwiiavfan]

There are a few Allisons still being used in unlimited modified tractor pulling.

[airnutz]

This link's been around awhile, but I'll post it for those who may have missed
it...a Ranger powered dragster, back in the day...
www.fairchildclub.com/ranger_powered_dragster.htm

Also a droptank boat in the Med in WWII, halfway down the page..
www.charlies-web.com/WWII_med/combatpics.html

[Django]

The camper trailer RULES! I want one.

[bdk]

There was also a DC-3/C-47 motorhome painted up to look like the Space Shuttle.

[Rob Mears]

Then there's Cupples Products in St. Louis, MO who enjoyed this baby. Must have been an interesting ride, pushing the R-2800 up to full power while your buddy blasts you in the face with a firehose.

[vernicator]

There was also a DC-3/C-47 motorhome painted up to look like the Space Shuttle.

Here's a link to the story behind this cool idea.

http://www.airportjournals.com/Display. ... ID=0507005

[K5DH]

Years ago, probably in the late 1970s or early 1980s, I recall seeing on television either a C-47 or DC-3 fuselage that had been made into a motorhome using a diesel truck chassis. The TV program showed it being driven down the street. What a sight to see!

This one?

http://www.planepictures.net/netshow.php?id=112340

Yep, that's the one!