![]() |
If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
![]()
I saw a bunch of planes outside as well, apparently awaiting renovation.
Looked like a Beech starship and an F-15, along with some others. Driving out we saw some WWII armor, as well as what looked to be a T-76. The Imax building looked new, and the new building looked just as big as the existing structure. What a great treasure in the middle of nowhere. "gatt" wrote in message ... "Viperdoc" wrote in message t... Considering it's pretty much in the middle of nowhere except being next door to the McMinnville airport, it is surprising as to the extent and breadth of the collection. Highly recommended for an excellent experience. By the way, they'll bring a shuttle van over to the FBO to pick you up if you fly in, which is a hell of a lot better than trying to cross the highway there. -c |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
![]() "Viperdoc" wrote in message news ![]() I saw a bunch of planes outside as well, apparently awaiting renovation. Looked like a Beech starship and an F-15, along with some others. The F-15 was the first to end up in civilian hands and he got his because his son was a '15 pilot (the museum is named after him.) The son retired from the USAF iirc, became a police officer and was killed in a motorcycle accident. Driving out we saw some WWII armor, as well as what looked to be a T-76. Yep. I'm pretty sure it runs. I've never seen the IMAX, and you described the Goose engine in a previous post. I'm pretty sure that's a new display too. Very cool! Took my father-in-law there for father's day a couple of years ago and he got a little misty-eyed (I imagine that happens a lot there) because the UH-1 out front was the first bird to which he was assigned. Other trivia is that the C-47 with the Normany stripes used to be at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry...as a UAL DC-3 that you could walk around in. At some point there was talk of trying to restore it to flying condition, but then I think they discovered that it had actually participated in D-Day, and that made it worth too much to risk flying so they returned it to its original livery and configuration. That place really is amazing for being out in the middle of nowhere. What a great treasure in the middle of nowhere. I did my IFR training around there and one time while I was under the hood outbound for the procedure turn my instructor says "Wow! That's a big airplane." I couldn't look. Then she goes "WOW! LOOK!" It was Nine-O-Nine, coming in over the river beneath us on the ILS. It looked magnificent in its OD paint and red tail against the farmland below. I never imagined I'd look down at a B-17 in flight and I only hope that my grandfather was able to look down from much higher and share in my excitement. Pretty much shot my concentration for the day. There was no way I could go back under the hood, because the B-24 was still out there somewhere. -c |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
![]()
One thing I did notice was the B-25, which was bare metal. There were some
polishing marks under the wing, where it looked like there was some overly aggressive paint removal. Also, not unexpectedly, there was a fair amount of filliform corrosion on the undersurface as well. They also had a windshield wiper on the bombardier's window in the nose, but not on the B-17- first time I noticed this up close. Overall, a memorable day. "gatt" wrote in message ... "Viperdoc" wrote in message news ![]() I saw a bunch of planes outside as well, apparently awaiting renovation. Looked like a Beech starship and an F-15, along with some others. The F-15 was the first to end up in civilian hands and he got his because his son was a '15 pilot (the museum is named after him.) The son retired from the USAF iirc, became a police officer and was killed in a motorcycle accident. Driving out we saw some WWII armor, as well as what looked to be a T-76. Yep. I'm pretty sure it runs. I've never seen the IMAX, and you described the Goose engine in a previous post. I'm pretty sure that's a new display too. Very cool! Took my father-in-law there for father's day a couple of years ago and he got a little misty-eyed (I imagine that happens a lot there) because the UH-1 out front was the first bird to which he was assigned. Other trivia is that the C-47 with the Normany stripes used to be at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry...as a UAL DC-3 that you could walk around in. At some point there was talk of trying to restore it to flying condition, but then I think they discovered that it had actually participated in D-Day, and that made it worth too much to risk flying so they returned it to its original livery and configuration. That place really is amazing for being out in the middle of nowhere. What a great treasure in the middle of nowhere. I did my IFR training around there and one time while I was under the hood outbound for the procedure turn my instructor says "Wow! That's a big airplane." I couldn't look. Then she goes "WOW! LOOK!" It was Nine-O-Nine, coming in over the river beneath us on the ILS. It looked magnificent in its OD paint and red tail against the farmland below. I never imagined I'd look down at a B-17 in flight and I only hope that my grandfather was able to look down from much higher and share in my excitement. Pretty much shot my concentration for the day. There was no way I could go back under the hood, because the B-24 was still out there somewhere. -c |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
![]() "Viperdoc" wrote in message . net... One thing I did notice was the B-25, which was bare metal. Wow. Last time I was out there they didn't have a B-25. There's a guy that owns a log truck company in Oregon who has a B-25. He's larger than the average airman, so he used the top turret out of a Liberator so he could make his way to the pilot seat. That bird has yellow cowls and is restored immaculately. Really neat buy, but I gotta wonder how hard all the timber economy is really doing out here if a trucking owner can afford a B-25! They also had a windshield wiper on the bombardier's window in the nose, but not on the B-17- first time I noticed this up close. When the '17 was flying they had all kinds of equipment such as the chin turret controls and things that they left out for weight. I wonder if they've put it all in. The FAA made them install passenger seats in the waist in order to carry passengers, which looked ridiculous. Trivia about that bomber is that there's doubt that the serial number is original; the airplane's logbook had entries blacked out by the military because it was carried some sort of secret radio equipment after the war. Apparently, it's in a James Bond movie too but I have no idea which. I have an old post-war photo of it when it was assigned to the Japanese defense force or whatever it was. Whatever its real designation was, it was one of the last B-17s ever made. The manual bomb bay opening crank is located opposite that of just about every other B-17 built. -c |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
![]() |
||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
We can all agree -- THIS is a great aviation video... | [email protected] | Piloting | 33 | July 9th 06 06:43 PM |
A great career in aviation | Neil | Piloting | 12 | January 29th 06 02:12 AM |
GREAT AVIATION READS | Cribsheet | Piloting | 1 | September 12th 04 02:51 AM |
GREAT AVIATION READS | Cribsheet | Rotorcraft | 0 | September 10th 04 06:06 PM |
GREAT AVIATION READS | Cribsheet | Military Aviation | 0 | September 7th 04 06:37 PM |