Aircraft

[Texas Lawdog]

Kevin, I've got a bunch of irons in the fire. I'm going to the Muster in Neb. this weekend. Next weekend we will be in San Antonio for the PBR, and I will be in Kansas the first weekend in Aug. in Kansas, where they will shooting OCB's western . I really want to learn how to shoot those Army's and Alpine is doable. I've been out there in probably 30 + years.

[kflach]

I've got a bunch of stuff over the next few weeks, too, including vacation. Maybe we can get together mid-August or in September. I'm using my Cap & Ball for the NCOWS Southwest Regional - maybe you'll be up to it by then, too.

[Texas Lawdog]

That sounds like a plan.

[Texas Lawdog]

I got an e-mail from our squadron PIO yesterday. "FIFI" was supposed to go on a tour, but developed engine trouble with #2. They returned to Midland for repairs. Ol 927 will finish the tour. I hope the problems will solved before the Airsho in Oct.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Here's hoping for the best!

TL & Kevin, keep  workin' toward making it to Evansville in '11.  Little Jimmy, we'll get ya schooled on those single-actions one way or the other.  I'm bettin' Kevin and Pancho and bunches of them other pards will happily help ya.

[Four-Eyed Buck]

Just saw an article on my home page. An SB2C Helldiver has been located and an attempt tp recover it was started today in a reservoir in the San Diego area. It had crashed on a training mission the end of May 1945 due to engine failure. Both crew members survived. picture with the article showed a very good looking canopy on the ground. probably the slider from the gunner's area. there are very few of the "Beast's" extent out of over 5,100 that were built. Plane was plauged with problems from inception and Curtis made over 90,000+ changes during the production run. It was never quite as effective as the older SDB's, even though it was faster and carried more weight...............Buck

[Texas Lawdog]

There is only one left and it belongs to the CAF.  There is an article about in this month's edition of the CAF magazine, "Dispatch".

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Little Jimmy, it sounds like there will (maybe) soon be 2!  That was one of the planes my Dad flew and also crewed.  He didn't fly it much. 

It WAS a beast.

[Four-Eyed Buck]

They didn't get it out yesterday, too much silt, and terrible visibility.
Supposed to go back at it again today.............Buck

[Major E A Sterner]

Video Here...

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local-beat/Helldiver_Raised_from_the_Deep_San_Diego.html

[kflach]

That's very cool, and I'm glad it'll be on display at the museum in Pensacola. That's where I was awarded my Navy Wings.

[Texas Lawdog]

Our Helldiver is a C-5 model which was the last variant of the airplane. It was in service with the Navy from 1945 to 1948, the last assignment being NAS Corpus Chrisiti, Texas. It was declared surplus in Oct. 1948. It was used by an aeronautical school for several years. It was purchased by a California museum in 1963. A CAF Col. purchased the aircraft from the museum and donated it to the CAF in 1971. The Helldiver was nicknamed the "Big Tailed Beast". Our Helldiver is attached to the West Texas Wing of the CAF. It is based at the Cactus Squadron in Graham, Texas. The current colors and markings are those of the USS Franklin, CV 13.

[Four-Eyed Buck]

The crews had another name as well, " son Of A B#$%^, 2nd class"!

[Texas Lawdog]

I hope to make it out to Midland this year for the AirSho. We are supposed to have a Warbird fly-in on Sept. 4th at an airport on the SE corner of Dallas County. I hope to make that one as well.

[Delmonico]

Found this, thought you's would like it, newsreel on the 19227 Dole races, Oakland to Hawaii.

http://www.archive.org/details/DoleAirR1927

[kflach]

Delmonico, that was cool. Thanks for posting it.


Does anyone know of a good place to order a WWI leather flying helmet? I've seen things that are supposed to look like them online, but I've never seen one that looked quite right.

[Four-Eyed Buck]

The 2C is back on dry land! video clip on Fox News. does look somewhat worse for wear, though. canopy's are off, cowling is a mess, engine is partially torn from it's mounts. the wings are still intact, though............Buck

[Four-Eyed Buck]

Here's some video from a San Diego local.........


www.10news.com/video/24707908/index.html

[kflach]

That really is cool. I'm glad you've kept us abreast of this story.Thanks!

[Four-Eyed Buck]

One of these days i would love to get to Pensacola and go through the Naval Air museum. want to see the navy WW II era planes i've always read about for real.............Buck