Here is a photo of the DE ANG F-86H that I shot in July, 1985, at New Castle County Airport (ILG), formerly known as Greater Wilmington Airport. Note that this Sabre is an "H" model (four-gun nose, taller tail fin). It was sitting outside one of their C-130 maintenance hangars in an area where DE ANG members park their private planes. The tail number is 53-1296, although I have no way of knowing if that's the Sabre's actual number or not. I was told by the FBO where my dad kept his Cherokee that the markings were those of a former commander of the DE ANG back when they were a Sabre outfit. A few years ago, I heard that the jet had been re-restored and moved indoors somewhere there on the base.
Regarding the C-47 on display at ILG, I read recently that it is being restored for static display by a group of local volunteers. It has sat in front of the Air Transport Command restaurant along DuPont Highway (US-13) for many years, being vandalised and run into by wayward cars. I was told by someone at the restaurant many years ago that the C-47 had been pieced together using parts of several derelict airframes. The restaurant was a neat place to eat, being decorated inside with lots of WW1 and WW2 memorabilia and a fabulous collection of models. The dining area faced the airfield. There was also some vintage military vehicles outside. At one time David Tallichet did own it, but I believe he sold it to someone else some years ago. Sadly, it went out of business a few years back. I don't know what became of the memorabilia and models. As of this past Labour Day weekend when Cindy and I were "back home" for the weekend, the restaurant was still closed.
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Any way, I was surprised to see it reduced to nothing but a fuselage and wheels. I was taking the pictures below when a couple of guys drove up. It turns out the restoration effort reported by K5DH will take place at the plane's new home, the Massey Aerodrome Museum located in Massey, Maryland. They indicated the plane is scheduled to be moved tomorrow. It will be a static restoration. Too bad it won't fly, but it's still a better fate than its recent home.
