It was a ferrying flight. WIX has/had some good pictures of the actual flight in one of its threads. The B-47 was flown dirty (Landing gear down) just in case they would have been unable to lower the gear on approach. My understanding was that they had a retired B-47 pilot all ready to fly it when the USAF stepped in and a former B-47 pilot, now at that time a General took over the flight. I could be wrong about the specifics but I think that the jist of it.
This was the last B-47 on active duty serial 53-2280. It was used as testbed at WPAFB 1967-69 as JB-47E-111-BW. First USAF aircraft to have a fly-by-wire control system. Now on display at WPAFB Museum, OH. Well sort of on display. It was retired in the later half of 1969.
Shay
____________
Semper Fortis
Also
Here is a posting sent out from the Presdient of the OV-10 Bronco Assoc. this morning. Thought it would be of interest, and catch you all up on the latest. BTW, she is already taken apart and ready for packaging and pick-up at Oceana. The journey to Ft. Worth will be a “planes, trains, and automobiles” type adventure, from the sounds of it thus far. The important thing right now is securing her.
Posted to the OV-10 List – Fri Oct 27, 2006 11:22 am
Folks,
Your support and the support of others is getting us closer to bringing “Christine” home to Fort Worth.
This last week we have had significant activity in our efforts and I just wanted to give you a quick update.
First of all, we have met with some retired Navy Admirals and Captains who had involvement either with the F-14s here in the Metroplex over the years or VF-201, one of “Christine’s” former squadrons. They are all in support of our efforts to save this Tomcat and are lending a hand.
Last week we announced our efforts over the AvWeb and have received over 20 donations to help retrieve “Christine.” In addition, the B-36 Peacemaker Museum here in Fort Worth has made a substantial pledge. This group has worked with us in many capacities over the last several years. In recent months we have been meeting with that group, the Vintage Flying Museum and the City of Fort Worth to discuss the concept of a regional museum, that could be located at Meacham Field, to tell the history of aviation and aerospace in North Texas. One of the aspects of that museum would be a display of static airplanes significant to the area as either having been flown, built or designed here. Our Tomcat fits that description, as she was here as one of the VF-201 “Hunters” for twelve years. A proposal for this new museum will go to the Fort Worth City Council soon, Yesterday, the Fort Worth Aviation Department expressed its support of our efforts and I discussed a variety of display options with that Department’s director. If we manage to secure this Tomcat, it will have a prominent place for display. But, we aren’t there yet.
I don’t have a full accounting from our treasurer, but we have pledges and donations for about $9,000 of our $15,000 goal. We are getting very close and I hope to be able to announce our commitment to acquiring this F-14 on loan through the National Museum of Naval Aviation soon. Please forward this update to anyone you think might be interested. Halloween is coming and I would be delighted to have this one be a real treat for all of us. We will update our progress on our web site at http://www.ov-10bronco.net, where there is more information about our Tomcat and you will also find a button there to make donations through PayPal.
Thanks for your support on this project. This is a unique airplane with the distinction of being the longest serving F-14 in the fleet. She deserves a better fate than the scrapper and we are getting close to making “Christine” live another life.
Cheers,
Jim Hodgson
President
OV-10 Bronco Association
Shay
_____________
Semper Fortis
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