The OS2U Kingfisher
An aircraft that, in my humble opinion, looked better on floats than landing gear. Still, having the ability to swap floats for wheels was a darn good idea.
All those months of training in the AT-6 have paid off – nice formation
EKA-3B of VAQ 308
NAS Whidbey open house in the early 1980’s. The aircraft (147666) was one of the last Skywarriors built, and was based out of NAS Alameda. Note the crewman atop the aircraft who has found refuge from the maddening crowd.
F-106, 498th Fighter Interceptor Squadron
Aircraft proudly wears a “kill” marking for a Firebee drone. The 498th was at Paine AFB during this time.
TV & Radio Star Arthur Godfrey
Godfrey was among the most famous celebrities of his day, and here he readies to taxi in his personal DC-3 at NAS Pensacola. Godfrey, a long-time aviation enthusiast, was given this former Eastern Airlines bird as a gift from his pal, Eastern Airlines boss Eddie Rickenbacker. Godfrey held a reserve commission in the USN and, later, in the USAF.
Air Corps Day, Wright Field
P-36 forms the backdrop for Major Hal George and his boys in the summer of ’39. If I had a way-back machine, one of my time travel stops would be Air Corps Day 1939 at Wright Field.
476th Pursuit Squadron in 1931
PT-6 has just landed: engine is running, and there are weeds snagged in the tail skid. Check out the pilot 2nd from right.
Pilots pose with the famed Roscoe Turner, center.
Now this is what I call decor. Emblem of the 476th Pursuit Squadron “The Black Falcons” adorns the wall.
A Curtiss B-2 Condor of the 11th Bomb Squadron. The name “Rockwell Field” is painted on the oil drum like radiator atop the nacelle.
Airfields have improved since 1931. The Condor almost looks as if it was forced to land in the middle of Wyoming.
Officers of the 476th at March Field. The building is the officer’s club, and is still in use today as the “Hap Arnold Club”. The list of famous names who have bent an elbow at the bar is too long for counting. (Been there a time or two, and to Sally’s Alley out back.)
“And on the plane, we call these ‘wings’.” Some basic flying techniques are taught next to the Air Corps hangar at Long Beach. The oil rigs on Signal Hill in the background gave it the nickname “Porcupine Hill.”
The 476th was a reserve squadron stationed at Long Beach airport. These photos were taken there, and at March Field.
Is there any real man out there who wouldn’t want to knock back a couple of beers with Gladys Ingle?
Answer: No. As a member of the 1920’s aerial daredevil team “Blackcats”, Gladys Ingle wasn’t scared of nuthin. The photo is dedicated to Creed Buchanan, a noted death-defying motorcycle rider of the era. Gladys obviously recognized a kindred spirit.
Pack up your bags and let’s fly away. AA 707 over the Cascades
Following WWII, a B-17 could be had cheap
This one (44-85507) ended up as a VIP transport for the Chicago Tribune newspaper from 1948-52.
B-50’s drive past Mt. Rainier
With that huge vertical stabilizer, whatever was lacking in the yaw department on the B-29 was apparently compensated for when they modified it in to the B-50. Well, the B-50 also had much more powerful engines to deal with.
Grumman F9F Cougar (131159) is loaded with early Sidewinder missiles for a test at China Lake
A handsome pair of Pan Am 707’s on the Boeing ramp in 1963
Boeing 314 of Pan Am gets a pull across Elliot Bay in Seattle.
Convair T-29B of Air Defense Command at Paine AFB sitting pretty for the airshow crowd
“Very pretty” are The Words That Describe This Pan Am 707. Very Pretty Indeed
All Nippon Airways (ANA) 727 N68650 Gets Final Factory Touches in 1964
This aircraft was lost with all aboard following an inflight collision with a Cessna 310, 19 July, 1967.
Boeing Ramp at Renton in 1965
727s for everybody: United, TWA, Eastern, South Africa, and American. My dad logged some hours flying N7037U in the foreground. “Rocketship,” he called the ’27.
Messerschmitt’s Oberammergau plant
Part of a photo album in my collection. Taken by US intelligence officers in post-war Germany. Pictured are the Me 1101 and H-H O11.
Welcome to the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle.
Ah, the Super Constellation
KLM has always done the Netherlands proud, and this was especially so when they flew the Connie back in the day.
F-4N of VF-111 visits NAS Whidbey open house in the 1970’s.
Douglas O2-H
Serial 29-159. I believe this aircraft was assigned to the 91st Observation Squadron.
The First Boeing 727
The Jive Bomber 