phantomiif4
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Post by phantomiif4 on Mar 6, 2013 14:15:31 GMT 9
Hello all. I'm new here, but as an active duty member of the USAF, I take great pride in Air Force history, and the Century Jets have always been a fascinating subject to me. With that being said, I learned recently of an F-101A on display at the base I'm stationed at that will soon be put into storage. It was declared surplus last year and offered out from what I understand, but as of yet no takers have been found. I'm wondering.....does anyone know what the policies are on a museum of some sort getting something like this? I mean the F-101 is a rare breed, and an F-101A even more so. I'd hate to see the aircraft in question put into storage, as I feel it should be restored and put on display somewhere that it can be appreciated by future generations. I mean provided it goes into storage, who knows what will happen to it as the years go by.
Any thoughts on if it will even be possible to save it?
I'm hoping there are some former (or current) USAF members here or anyone in general with knowledge of what can be done with surplus aircraft such as this one. Any suggestions?
Thanks for taking the time to give this thread a read!
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MOW
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Post by MOW on Mar 6, 2013 16:55:25 GMT 9
 phantomiif4 to our flight line and let me Thank You  for serving! As you've probably guessed 99.999999% of everyone here is either retired military, has served time in the military or is still AD like yourself so you're in good company. What base are stationed at? What do you do in the USAF? Several of the forums members have been involved in aircraft display procurements so I have no doubt you'll be getting some responses here so check back often. Again, welcome 
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Bullhunter
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Post by Bullhunter on Mar 6, 2013 17:19:23 GMT 9
I was the Administrator and then the Director of the McChord Air Force Base Museum for my last 3 1/2 years in the USAF. (1992-1995)
Usually bases that have had the aircraft assigned at one time or another, try to pick these up for display. There are factors like how far away the aircraft is, expense of movement, and getting the OK from the HQ USAF Museum in Ohio. If the base has an active runway sometimes the museum that wants the aircraft can get a USAF cargo mission to transport it. This usually scheduled as a training mission. I've done it before to get parts picked up for our restoration projects. But with an aircraft it must be prepaired for shipment, like wings removed all fuel purged, etc.
I recovered a F-86D from a civilian airport and it took extensive planning. Our base transportation sq. was kind enough to give us two tractor trailers and drivers. Through the WA State National Guard I was able to get the support of a tank rescue crane. Museum foundation membors, museum volunteers, and others all pitched in to make this happen. We dismantaled the jet and trucked it about 200 miles back to the base.
Do some research and see what bases had these models assigned and then contact them to see if the have a museum or air park that would like to display it.
Good luck.
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Post by Mark O on Mar 7, 2013 0:25:37 GMT 9
The F-101A at Cannon by chance? That aircraft is actually pretty famous if it's the one you're talking about. Is this the one? www.thisdayinaviation.com/12-december-1957/The only other F-101A I know of is at Pueblo, and from the photos I've seen that one sure needs help. Considering there are only a couple of A-models on display, I would say it is worth saving. Do the folks in charge there actually realize the history they have custody of, regardless of where it is? BTW, to the forums! I was one of the last active duty members here up until September 2011 when I retired as a MSgt from Dyess as a C-130 Flight Engineer. Glad to have you here, and hope we can help! |
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Post by Mark O on Mar 7, 2013 0:43:33 GMT 9
I was just checking todays birthdays, and found one of our members, "Bigron427" is celebrating today. That gave me an idea for someone you may want to try to contact. He is the "crew chief" of 57-0247, an F-10B on display at the Aerospace Museum of California at McClellan. www.aerospaceca.org/A guy who knows F-101s, and is closely associated with a museum? Might be a good lead. And Big Ron? If you see this,  |
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phantomiif4
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Post by phantomiif4 on Mar 11, 2013 14:06:21 GMT 9
Hello again all. Thanks for the warm welcome!
To answer a few questions about me, I am indeed a pilot and the aircraft I'm referring to is indeed the F-101 near the main gate at Cannon. I did some additional research on this particular tail, and it turns out that it is not 53-2426 as I had thought. It is painted in a similar scheme to what that actual tail wore when it broke the speed record in 1957, but it is in reality not even an F-101A. It is actually an RF-101C, serial 56-187. It was brought here a long time ago because the leadership on base at the time wanted a Voodoo for display. This makes sense given that the Wing here was the first to introduce the F-101 into the inventory albeit the Wing was located at Bergstrom at the time. How the aircraft came to be modified into looking like an A model, I haven't been able to ascertain. Looking back, I'm a bit disappointed in myself that I didn't question it being a true A model given that it lacks the cannon ports, and furthermore, if it was the real 53-2426, it would likely feature the extended tailpipes of the bigger J57's used on that airframe for the record. This one certainly has the short tailpipes that the single-seaters feature.
With that being said, I still would like to see it get a home in some museum. I'd argue even in its current state, it should be put on display somewhere.
Any ideas on how (if) I should proceed? I don't want to get myself into trouble, but I'm just passionate about saving aircraft like this, and the Voodoo is one of my favorite types. I'd argue its probably my favorite Century Jet.
Thanks again for the warm welcome!
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MOW
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Post by MOW on Mar 11, 2013 17:59:58 GMT 9
Sure enough phantomiif4 on my RF-101C page www.f-101voodoo.com/voodoo_rf101c.htm 56-0187 is listed as McDonnell RF-101C-50-MC Voodoo at Cannon AFB, NM. Nice find! I hope you find a way to save it. Bergstrom AFB, Austin TX wow haven't thought of that place in a long time. Went to SNCO Leadership School there. |
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Post by Mark O on Mar 11, 2013 22:53:24 GMT 9
I have nothing to do with any of the museums in the system, but I would have to say since the National Museum of the USAF at Wright-Patt has basically "loaned" these aircraft out to the bases, and other facilities with displays, they would be a good starting place. It's quite possible they have a waiting, or a want list for folks or activities that desire a specific aircraft. This is the link to the museum's loan program page... www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/collection/loans.aspThe AFI is 84-103, and their phone number is (937) 255-4770. www.e-publishing.af.mil/shared/media/epubs/AFI84-103.pdfThat is where I would start! Good luck! |
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Post by pat perry on Mar 12, 2013 3:37:44 GMT 9
Hello again all. Thanks for the warm welcome! To answer a few questions about me, I am indeed a pilot and the aircraft I'm referring to is indeed the F-101 near the main gate at Cannon. I did some additional research on this particular tail, and it turns out that it is not 53-2426 as I had thought. It is painted in a similar scheme to what that actual tail wore when it broke the speed record in 1957, but it is in reality not even an F-101A. It is actually an RF-101C, serial 56-187. It was brought here a long time ago because the leadership on base at the time wanted a Voodoo for display. This makes sense given that the Wing here was the first to introduce the F-101 into the inventory albeit the Wing was located at Bergstrom at the time. How the aircraft came to be modified into looking like an A model, I haven't been able to ascertain. Looking back, I'm a bit disappointed in myself that I didn't question it being a true A model given that it lacks the cannon ports, and furthermore, if it was the real 53-2426, it would likely feature the extended tailpipes of the bigger J57's used on that airframe for the record. This one certainly has the short tailpipes that the single-seaters feature. With that being said, I still would like to see it get a home in some museum. I'd argue even in its current state, it should be put on display somewhere. Any ideas on how (if) I should proceed? I don't want to get myself into trouble, but I'm just passionate about saving aircraft like this, and the Voodoo is one of my favorite types. I'd argue its probably my favorite Century Jet. Thanks again for the warm welcome! Welcome phantomiif4 First, try to find the custodian of the aircraft at Cannon and make sure it's OK for you to help find a home for the aircraft. They may already have a game plan going on. Then call Wright Patterson AFB Public affairs at 937-522-325. Ask to be connected with the the head of the USAF Museum System and give them the tail number of the aircraft. They can look up whether the USAF still owns that equipment or whether it was sold as scrap and is independently owned. If USAF still owns it they will help find a new museum home for it if there is a current wait list demand for a RF-101C. I don't know if there are any available units at the AMARG Boneyard in Tucson. I doubt there are any left because I worked with Tyler, TX air museum to get a F-101. They were working with USAF Museum System and ended up getting a display unit from a now defunct small air museum south of Fort Worth. See: forum.f-106deltadart.com/thread/2240/101b-move?scrollTo=19604&page=1Museums usually prefer to get aircraft that have been on display because they have been demilled and have been display prepped already but they are rarely available. WPAFB phone numbers: www.wpafb.af.mil/questions/topic.asp?id=837Hope this helps. Pat P. |
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phantomiif4
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Post by phantomiif4 on Mar 14, 2013 14:12:04 GMT 9
Ill definitely get back to the Wing historian here, and see if finding a new home for the Voodoo is authorized. He told me they offered it up, but it had no takers. My question is what exactly did this entail? How much did they actually advertise it is what I'm wondering.
Ill try and keep y'all posted on what I come up with. I look at that jet every day going to and from work, and I just hope I can make something happen though knowing the Air Force, I won't hold my breath...
Thanks!
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Post by lindel on Mar 16, 2013 0:25:03 GMT 9
Phantomiif4, Welcome to our hanger! Pull up a chair and have a cold one!
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phantomiif4
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Post by phantomiif4 on Mar 25, 2013 13:39:40 GMT 9
Trying to get back in touch with the Wing historian. No word yet. It that changes, I will make sure to post. Gotta save her if I can!  |
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Post by MOW on Mar 25, 2013 14:19:04 GMT 9
Good luck! I hope you can.
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bigron427
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Post by bigron427 on May 16, 2014 13:10:04 GMT 9
Good evening, Big Ron back on station! I just did a quick search and ran across some Feb 2014 photos of what looked like this aircraft on a flatbed trailer, and in pretty rough shape to boot. Any recent news?
Welcome aboard, and drop me a line anytime!
Ron Easley
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Post by pat perry on May 16, 2014 22:38:25 GMT 9
Good evening, Big Ron back on station! I just did a quick search and ran across some Feb 2014 photos of what looked like this aircraft on a flatbed trailer, and in pretty rough shape to boot. Any recent news? Welcome aboard, and drop me a line anytime! Ron Easley Dang Big Ron, welcome back. That was a long coffee break 
Where were those pictures? Got some you could upload or send a link for?
Pat P.
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bigron427
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Post by bigron427 on May 17, 2014 7:24:22 GMT 9
Hi Pat, glad to be back! Here is a link with several photos...in pretty sad shape, I'm afraid. Not sure how to insert this as a proper link. www.fencecheck.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=27711I went back and took a quick look at some old slides of this aircraft, but need to set up a projector for a closer look. It definitely has the small inlet on the fin for cooling the rear fuselage while in afterburner, so is definitely a "C"-model of some variety. I am not buying that this was converted from an RF-101C and think that the serial number given for this aircraft is incorrect. Instead, I think that this is much more likely an RF-101H that has been repainted and just had the standard radome put back on it and the camera windows faired over. The aircraft has both tape lights and faired-over cannon ports, just like the one at Pima. These were retired by 1972 so the timing seems right as well. If this is the case, we have one of a tiny handful of either F-101C or converted RF-101G/H aircraft available, and is very definitely worth saving if at all possible. The only other C-model that I can think of offhand is the one on a pole in Texas somewhere, and I am sure that it is pretty much just a rotten hulk by now. |
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Post by bigron427 on May 17, 2014 7:26:42 GMT 9
I just checked the link and it works.
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for serving! As you've probably guessed 99.999999% of everyone here is either retired military, has served time in the military or is still AD like yourself so you're in good company.
