Jim Scanlon (deceased)
Senior Staff
FORUM CHAPLAIN
Commander South Texas outpost of the County Sligo Squadron
Currently: Offline
Posts: 5,075
Location:
Joined: July 2007
Retired: USAF NBA: Spurs NFL: Niners MLB: Giants NHL: Penguins
|
Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Sept 24, 2013 6:55:14 GMT 9
Driving along Interstate 30, West of Texarkana, is the Red River Army Depot.
In a town along the way, I noticed an Army Surplus store on the North side of I-30.
In front of the store is an F-111.
Painted all gray, including the cockpit glass.
I will have to look when I get home, and see if I can find out why it is there.
In Hot Springs, Arkansas to-day, then Branson for a few days of Reunion with other Retired Village Missionaries.
Jim Too
|
|
|
Post by pat perry on Sept 24, 2013 9:06:56 GMT 9
Driving along Interstate 30, West of Texarkana, is the Red River Army Depot.
In a town along the way, I noticed an Army Surplus store on the North side of I-30.
In front of the store is an F-111.
Painted all gray, including the cockpit glass.
I will have to look when I get home, and see if I can find out why it is there.
In Hot Springs, Arkansas to-day, then Branson for a few days of Reunion with other Retired Village Missionaries.
Jim Too
Pastor Jim, That F-111 was a training mockup in Ft Worth many years ago. The guy that owns that metal shop bought it for scrap and made it a display. I have some pics somewhere if I can find them. I made a post on it years ago and included a picture but I can't find the post. Pat P. Edit: Found the pic and email from 2004: Turner's Army Surplus I-30 Exit 213 10 miles West of Texarkana, TX 903-832-6985 junker42@hotmail.com Ronnie Turner is the owner of the business and bought this aircraft about 8 years ago from Barksdale AFB, LA. They were going to put it on display but received a D model at the last minute so they sold this A model to Ronnie. Before it was at Barksdale it was at Sheppard AFB, TX in a training or test capacity. Ronnie found a plate number in the main bay and had General Dynamics / Lockheed Martin and the USAF Museum at Wright Patterson cross reference it. As best they could determine it was the # 3 aircraft built. Ronnie's friend and former F-111 mechanic, James Schuman of Ohio, helped do the research and they determined that the tail number would have been 39768. The aircraft was a R&D test unit and has evidence of this on certain parts of the aircraft (for example, the main gear is not the original). It was an early model with ejection seats rather than a crew module, although all seats and instrumentation have been removed. The airframe is not cut but both engines were removed. For people looking for F-111 parts, Ronnie has the following from a D model: crew module, bomb release racks, and a nose landing gear. Ronnie will negotiate pricing. He also said that while the aircraft has been an excellent advertisement for his business he will probably be looking to sell it as he plans to retire in the next 5-6 years. He thinks it may bring $80,000 but will negotiate that price with any interested buyers. He also has a Link Trainer for sale. Ronnie also invites F-111 enthusiasts to call or email him if they have any info about this aircraft or are interested in any surplus parts he has. Thanks, Pat Perry Attachment Deleted
|
|