Pictured is one of the more unusual aircraft at the National Air Force Museum; a Northrop YC-125 Raider. It must be said however, that there are many very interesting retired machines here that I’d never seen before — not to mention knew about, e.g. Douglas A-20G Havoc of which 2,850 copies were built. Very cool looking: a B-36 Peacemaker, the sleek and sexy B-58 Hustler, and bizarre: F-82 Twin Mustang “Betty Jo” ( last of piston propeller fighter planes delivered to the military at the dawn of the jet age ). All of this hardware presentation is enclosed indoors along with historic memorabilia and display from early aviation, War time and Cold War years. A single day is not long enough to take it all in.

Mark Hinebaugh, accomplished Flight Instructor, who also happens to be published. His book Flying Upside Down: True Tales of an Antarctic Pilot offers a first hand flying narrative from an environment that most pilots will never experience.

While browsing a dusty photo album I was pleased to find an early photo of my Uncle and Aunt taken in the Spring of 1946. The backdrop airplane, a Spartan Executive Model 7W, was owned and flown at the time by movie consultant and stunt pilot Paul Mantz. Uncle was a licensed Airframe and Powerplant mechanic and may very well have turned wrenches on the aircraft. Impressively, a search reveals that NC17656 S/N 25 (N47W) survives to this day.It was built 10/31/1939, the 25th of the 34 produced. First sold to Luziers of Mississippi. It was one of sixteen Spartan 7W’s impressed into service as Staff transports as a UC-71 (USAAF 1942 serial 38288) during the war years. It was returned to civil registry in 1945 as you see it here.

The distinctive blue bubbles on this CRJ gave away its former identity and a close up revealed the old Blueridge tail number unchanged. Evidently the aircraft had a 2 year fling with Georgian National aka SKY georgia in Tbilisi until being replaced by a larger but older DC-9-51. Russian and separatist hostility broke out shortly thereafter and It was returned to its lessor.

Braving snakes, and lizards in the tall grass and with an eye open for Santo Domingo security which might take exception to my off airport excursion, I explored this Boeing 707 gone to pasture.This workhorse belonged to an airline that went from boom to bust with a somewhat sad safety record enroute. [ reference ]

There are other photos of HI-442 taken during happier times.

This old ship has not had the fortune to be rescued but at least it has not been destroyed for scrap (yet). I was able to photograph what remains of HI-393 at its final resting place were it would appear that a hurricane or two may have had its way. Nature and the elements are trying hard to reclaim what’s left.This was a C-121, the military version of the Lockheed Constellation. There is a time line history reference for HI-383 VC-121A 48-611.

This old goose, like most old transport – locomotives, ships, airliners, has led a colorful and checkered existence. There are glory days in the beginning followed by declining efficiency, revenue and rising competition from newer more advanced innovation. This Lockheed 1049 Constellation was conceived toward the end of the second world war and for its day was the fastest and best of its size and class. Unfortunately, its brethren were immediately conscripted for military usage and they did not see civilian service until later in the ’50s – just in time for the beginning of the jet age. These piston engined planes, as technologically evolved as they could be, were soon eclipsed by new jets. The Constellations, though glorious looking, were handed down to second tier, 3rd world, and freight companies. Eventually they wear out from use, abuse, lack of proper care due to high cost and inadequate budgets. They sit unused or mothballed waiting for buyer or scrap heap or in lucky cases: rescue. Such was the career of N6937C, which I was able to photograph at an airshow display at Kansas City Downtown Airport. SAC, the Save a Connie organization has nicely preserved this one.

• was a White Tail at the Lockheed factory in Burbank, CA due to cancelled order
• To Slick Airways 1959
• To Airlift International 1966
• To Bal Trade1968
• grounded in Miami, FL and seized by airport for non-payment of fees 1970
• To Aircraft Airframe Inc 1971
• Leased to Vortex Inc 1972
• Leased to Sky Trucks International 1972
• To Aircraft Specialties Inc 1973
• Converted to a crop sprayer at Mesa, AZ
• retired in Mesa, AZ from 1975

N6937C [ reference ]

22 in tips throwing bags yesterday. 20 for co-pay at the Chiropractor’s today 😉