One of the highlights for me would be the Vietnam section

Come to the Airshow at the Olympic Flight Museum in Washington State on 18-20 June and you can see two Huey’s plus two cobra’s flying in formation to the tune of Ride of the Valkryies. Plus several Navions, at least one Skyraider and most likely an L-19 and an O-2 (337). Can’t help you with the special effects though!

The one you couldn’t identify is a Navy N3N biplane. (sort of like a stearman with a metal fuselage)

Brad

Norm,

I’ve got a pilot’s manual for an “H” model if that is of use to you. I’ve also got all the maintenance and repair manuals for the “D” if you would like them. I know there are significant differences between the two models, but maybe some of it will be of use.

By the way, I went to maintenance school at Chanute in the summer of 1992. I’ve only been back there once, about four years ago, but I’m glad to see that effort has been put into preserving the heritage of the place. Although I really didn’t appreciate it at the time, it was one of the nicest bases I’ve ever spent time at.

Brad

Mr. Kittyhawk,

I might know why you may have been treated shabby by a warbird owner or two over the years. Could it be your nasty disposition? I’ve seen your type at airshows. Fortunately, these people have been few and far between.

I grew up in West Texas, where warbirds have always been plentiful. Because most of the owners were nice folks and had an interest in the future of aviation, they took me flying in their planes. They let me be involved with their crews at airshows and made me feel like I was important. This all started when I was about eleven. Twenty years later, I’m still friends with them, have met many more just like them and partially because of them I have had a life long love with aviation and history. As well as a twenty year involvement with warbirds.

Up until I moved to South Carolina six months ago, I was living in Washington State. I had the keys to the hangers and near total freedom with a collection of warbirds worth several million dollars. On top of that, I had access to several other warbirds in the Pacific Northwest. I helped with maintenance and got to fly in return. I did alot more flying than I deserved! Do you know why? Because the people are nice!

I’m an enlisted man in the Air Force, so I don’t make a bunch of money. However, I’ve been able to live out a dream and be involved with warbirds strictly through the generousity and kindness of the people that have been blessed enough to have the financial means to play this game. Over the years, I learned enough about working on them to make myself useful. Even if it was only in my own mind, I became important in my own little corner of the warbird world.

By the way, not all of the owners are really that wealthy! I know some that just barely scrape by and put every disposable dollar into their planes.

Don’t be mad at people like Steve because they have made a succesful life and are able to enjoy it they way they do. A bunch of them are quite willing to share the spoils with those of us that haven’t quite made it there yet.

Just in case you didn’t realize it, the warbirds that we all love: P-40, Corsair, Spitfire, T-6 etc… have been out of the price range of most of us “regular guys” for many years. If your interested, I know where you can find a bunch of migs that are still very cheap.

Do what I did, buy a plane that has to be rebuilt. It may be more expensive in the long run, but sometimes it’s more viable if the cost can be spread out over a few years. I knew a long time ago that I’d never be able to get me a P-47, but I’m quite happy with my Rawdon T-1 project.

Take a look at these links and you can see some of the good fortune I’ve had because of some of the warbird owners that you hate so much.

Brad

http://community.webshots.com/user/bradleypilgrim
http://community.webshots.com/user/bradleypilgrim1
http://community.webshots.com/user/bradleypilgrim2

Steve,

I just sent you an email about Sea Fury Manuals. If you don’t get it, let me know.

Brad

Two Seat Hispano.

Here is a picture of Connies two-seat Hispano. It was taken around 1986. Sorry I’m blocking the view. Last time I saw this plane, it was sitting in the same place. That was about 6years ago.

As a side note, I saw N109ME a couple of months ago. It’s sitting in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The engine runs had been finished and they were waiting on the airworthiness certificate.

Brad

http://community.webshots.com/user/bradleypilgrim
http://community.webshots.com/user/bradleypilgrim1
http://community.webshots.com/user/bradleypilgrim2

Here is a picture (if it works) of a Monogram 1/48 HE-111 that I started out converting to a CASA 2111. The engines were aftermarket resein, but I don’t remember who made them. I have never finished the model. Prior to taking this picture, I probably hadn’t touched it in four or five years.