Aircraft

Texas Lawdog · July 04, 2010, 09:23:27 AM

The B26 Maurader had a bad rep. with it's crews. The B25 was a lot easier to fly and had a better rep. with it's crews. It was a shame to lose the Caf folks that had been working on "Caroline" to get her airworthy again.

Steel Horse Bailey · July 04, 2010, 01:50:06 PM

Indeed.

Texas Lawdog · July 09, 2010, 08:15:09 AM

The FAA has signed off on the paperwork for the CAF to make test flights for "FIFI". She missed the 4th of July this year. The AirSho at Midland this year is in Oct. Hopefully she will airborne for the show.

Texas Lawdog · July 13, 2010, 02:12:52 PM

Still no new info on "FIFI's" test flight dates.

Texas Lawdog · July 16, 2010, 10:01:04 AM

Well, It looks like the test flights won't be until August now. I'm hoping they will be completed soon and "FIFI" will fly at the AIRSHO in Oct.

Steel Horse Bailey · July 17, 2010, 02:48:05 AM

L.J., what's the main hold-up? Mechanical issues ... or the FAA? (I'd be surprised if you said the FAA)

Texas Lawdog · July 18, 2010, 07:34:48 PM

SHB, I really don't know. The FAA told the CAF that they had to have enough crew members for the flight. I don't know anything more than that. As much as I would like to be a passenger for the flight, test flights on 60 plus years old aircraft are dangerous.

Forty Rod · July 19, 2010, 10:57:55 AM

Quote from: Texas Lawdog on July 18, 2010, 07:34:48 PM
SHB, I really don't know. The FAA told the CAF that they had to have enough crew members for the flight. I don't know anything more than that. As much as I would like to be a passenger for the flight, test flights on 60 plus years old aircraft are dangerous.

You mean like being flown by 60 plus years old pilots and crew?

Texas Lawdog · July 19, 2010, 03:52:21 PM

Forty, Back in 1994, when I joined the CAF, we still had some WW2 pilots flying some of the aircraft. Nowdays, most of the pilots are in their 40s or 50s. I am really looking forward to seeing "FIFI" flying again. I am a member of the B24/B29 squadron, so I'll be able to hitch a ride in either one of them at some time.

kflach · July 19, 2010, 04:06:58 PM

What a pleasant surprise to find this thread still active. I hadn't got any updates on it in several months.

TLD, do you know anything about the *new* aircraft museum that's supposed to open at Meachem Field in Ft. Worth? I remember being told of one that was already there - I think I was told of it by you but I could be off on that.

I just did a quick check and it looks like the Ft. Worth Alliance Airshow is going on the weekend of OCT. 30-31st, the same weekend as the NCOWS Southwest regional. The 31st is a Sunday and I don't know if there will still be shooting that day. It might be a great day to drive waaaaaaaay over to Ft. Worth to see some good flying.

Texas Lawdog · July 19, 2010, 04:28:18 PM

Kevin, It's called the Vintage Flight Museum. They have several aircraft on display, but the cornerstone of the Museum is "Chuckie", a B17 "Pathfinder". The plane is named for it's owner, "Chuckie" Hospers. Her and her husband "Doc" owned the Museum. He passed away in May of this year. They are presently working on the engines and other components that need to be repaired before the aircraft will be airworthy. The Pathfinder aircraft led the other B17s to the targets. It was equipped with a radar dome.

kflach · July 19, 2010, 04:29:40 PM

That's what it was. I was thinking you'd mentioned the owner had recently died.

Texas Lawdog · July 19, 2010, 04:51:18 PM

They plan to fly it around FT WORTH and take it to Airshows when possible. It's an all volunteer group and they conduct tours of the museum and the planes to supplement the cost and upkeep on the planes and the Hangar.

Texas Lawdog · July 20, 2010, 10:08:35 AM

The Hangar is a B29 hangar and they try and keep "Chuckie" in the hangar as much as possible. The Vintage Flight Museum has a website and there are some pictures of "Chuckie". To my knowledge, this aircraft is only surviving "Pathfinder" B17. The volunteers are working on the radar dome and a planning on re installing it in the aircraft. I am planning on becoming a member of the volunteer group by the fall of this year. Retirement has been fun, but I'm getting bored. I'm not an aircraft mechanic, but I can sweep the floors with the best of them.

Steel Horse Bailey · July 20, 2010, 10:19:34 AM

T.L. and any others who might know: Aren't the 'Pathfinder' aircraft (they made all types, not just B-17s) the ones with extra guns? Seems like I read about a B17 that had 17 BMGs, one set of which were fixed in the nose right along the pilot's view (between the front bombardier's nose and the front windscreen) so he could aim and shoot just like a fighter! And ended up getting at LEAST one ME 109 or FW 190! The story has become rather famous, because this aircraft was subjected to intense attacks for a LONG time one mission, due to the fact that they had gotten so shot up that they were "easy pickin's'." I seem to have heard about this on one of the History Channel Dogfights episodes ... if I remember right, that is.

Sweep some for me, OK? If only I were closer ...

Texas Lawdog · July 20, 2010, 11:44:30 AM

SHB, I heard that the NCOWS Nationals are going to be at Evansville next year. If that is true, I will be there. AA has a direct flight into Evansville on a daily basis and I plan on flying up there just to visit and hang out. That Vintage Flight Museum is a small, Mom and pop deal. They totally rely on volunteers to keep it going. I am doing my last minute stuff before I leave to the Muster at Pitspitr's this coming weekend.

Four-Eyed Buck · July 20, 2010, 12:54:54 PM

Those forward mounted .50's were on a Pacific theater 17 featured on Dogfights..........Buck

kflach · July 20, 2010, 02:46:39 PM

TLD,

I'm still waiting for my chance to shoot with you! Even if it's just some morning or afternoon at the Alpine Range South of Ft. Worth (http://www.alpinerange.com/).

Granted, with these temperatures I haven't been out there much this summer, but when it's cooler I go about once a week. It's wonderful having all those guys (and gals) with their little plastic guns stop and watch me belch forth flame and thunder!

Texas Lawdog · July 20, 2010, 04:35:53 PM

Yep, that B17, named Ol 666, was the idea for a movie made in 1943, "Air Force". Kevin, I've shot cop guns a lot longer than Cowboy guns, so I'm not very good with the single actions and I still haven't shot my 2 1860 Armys.

kflach · July 20, 2010, 05:17:34 PM

Those 1860's are especially what I'm talking about - I'm shooting an 1858 Remmie. I've taken all my friends/family to shoot at Alpine before I've taken 'em to matches. It's a great place to run through things without any pressure. Alpine is outdoors, so black powder is no problem.