Відео

back in the 1980's I was stationed at Ft. Wainwright. I was a Flight Operations Specialists . On the other side of the airfield was BLM (bureau of Land Management) They had 2 operational C97's I got to take a ride in one. smelled like old socks but I would to it againl

I hate seeing any beast like these sitting. I wonder if they could be re-worked and made to fight wild fires as a water bomber? I only say this with the thinking the airframes/power plants are still worth the many dollars and the aircraft characteristics match with what would be needed ,,, Make me ill the money involved in anything aviation related.

I see a 4360...I break into a sweat and become nauseated. Worked on them while going to Embry-Riddle in the 1970s-1980s. Learned a bunch...occasionally asked to consult even in 2024

My first Air Force assignment was Mt. Home AFB, Idaho. I worked tanker recovery on KC-97s i 1964 & 1965. It was a SAC base but late '65 early '66 it was being turned over TAC. Fascinating aircraft.

Great video! Off to Ukraine next? KC-97L and f-16? Hmm 🤔

One of my childhood mentors, Alan Rosa, was a KC97 pilot. He talked about picking them up brand new from the assembly plant and delivering them to the Air Force. He started out as a 19-year old B-24 pilot in WW2, flew bombing missions over Italy and Austria. He remained in the Air Force after the war, until retiring as an O-6 Colonel and commanded a KC-135 Air Group in the SAC.

Glad to see they’re not stripped out hulks waiting for the breakers bar.

I could see the fuselages going to waste, but the engines could be recycle. Some old airplane out there could probably use them. Good video.

I stopped by the airport there several years ago with my family to see the museum of aerial firefighting. No one was around, but the aircraft located just around the parking area were amazing to see. Now I want to return and check out the bone yard. Awesome video thanks.

At 76, I have seen some of these, B-29's and 36's fly over near the Spokane area in N end of Idaho where I was born and raised. I had NO idea any of these existed in any form, anymore

Would love to see one or all of these make it to be displayed somewhere...

I used to be a pilot for H&P and lived in Greybull

Always interesting to see new, to me, aircraft graveyards & their content. I’m a retired Canadian service member, 1967-96. Cold War era combat arms. My dad & uncles now deceased WW2 vets. Land, sea & air. My dad a Lancaster m/u gunner with 101 Sqn Mar-Sep 1944. 32 missions. My love of military aircraft comes from visiting airports with him as a kid. Thanks for sharing.

G'day from Australia, impressive tankers! Awesome aircraft and of course their civilian sisters the 377 Stratocruiser airliner used by Pan Am etc. Wouldn't it be great to see one of these in the air again!

I see they're all Arizona Air Guard planes as they are an air refueling unit. I watched these launch for years from Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix. When I was stationed at Luke in the early 70s, the guard would call the base for their flight and weather briefings so we knew when and where they'd be flying. Thay had a couple of C-97 cargo models and periodically they needed over water time so we would hop rides on them, usually to Honolulu, for the weekend. A non-stop flight from Honolulu to Phoenix is a practice in patience on one of these old ladies. I miss riding on these old birds and the occasional trip to Puerto Rico was pretty sweet too.

How many kc-97’s are on the field … did I count 3?

My Dad was a Flight Engineer on the KC97s out of Dow AFB in Bangor Maine. I used to have all the operations manuals for various versions of the 97. They have all disappeared over the years. I sure wish I had been more careful with their handling.

It's a shame just to left them planes sit and rot

Amazing how complete these aircraft are.

Imagine the operating costs per hour of one of those KC-97's? Those four thirsty piston engines plus the two jet engines. They amount of oil those engines consumed? You'd need to be Jeff Bezos's to afford to fly one.

I believe the Berlin Airlift Historical Guys are interested in these aircraft.

I would love to see one of these reclaimed/converted to a B-377 Stratocruiser.

Back in the late 70's another civil engineering officer and myself were tasked with mounting a KC-97 for the Malmstrom AFB museum. The KC was flown in from the boneyard in AZ, and made several low passes down the base runway on a crystal-clear blue sky; before making its final landing. Unfortunately, I did not have my camera. We had mounting pylons prepared; but it was a bit of a struggle to jack the KC upon the supports. Slowly, but surely, we got the job done and the KC is still on display near the base main gate.

Are some of these going to be restored to flying status?

The NYANG unit I belonged to in the '60s flew C-97s converted from KC-97s before changing their support role to C-130 Skibirds. Rode the 97's a few times and while fun, they were s-l-o-w in comparison.

It is nice to see a mostly intact aircraft out there like that. Great video and definitely looking forward to the updates...

Nice video there Gordy, beautiful country. Gotta go!

We live @10 minutes from the museum...definitely worth a trip..especially during their WWII Weekend 👌...we're excited to have the P-61 !!

Man that is a perfect model that was obviously well received.. Thank you for what you do. I'm gonna share this too for you.

I'm amazed that has full flaps. It's super detailed. Very nice.

First! Awesome plane thanks!

Its like building a Tamiya 1:1 kit

Flash Gordon. Great to meet you!

Something I’ve wanted to know for a while now. Tires don’t last. So how do you go about replacing or maintaining the tires for aircraft when the supply and manufacturing of originals is gone?

Your background music is just fine. The video is well-composed. Don’t listen to the haters on your video process. I hope to own either a P-61 Black Widow or a F7F Tigercat someday.

I hope I get to see her first start up.

Great plane that had tenacious pilots

As a student pilot I flew my long cross country to New Tamiami Airport where Betty had a flight school. She signed my Log Book proving that I was there then took me to lunch, Glad to have met her.

I’m so glad these aircraft will be completed! So sorry Tim won’t be here to see his dream come true. All the best to you Gayla ❤

That's the EGC-7 that Eddie Ruckstell owned! He was well known for the Ford Model T axel that allowed one to change the rear axel gear for climbing hills. There is, or was, another EGC-7 being restored in Missouri.

We think so too!

These are going to be real beauties once restored.

As a kid I use to crawl all over inside of this plane when it was Aero Union's air tanker number 17 at the Chico Airport. Wish I could afford it, I'd go take a flight in it. Great video. I'm glad I found your channel through Google.

Scotty

I work in Everett, WA. If they need any help working on it or if I could just get a tour, let me know. Navy vet here.

I was fortunate to visit Tim twice while he was working on the Peashooter. His craftsmanship was impeccable! Glad to see that it will be completed!

It is great to see someone finish these. I saw it years ago. Tim gave me a tour. The work was top notch. I hated to hear of his passing. Would love to see them fly.

Are these rebuilds from wrecks or replica/reproductions? Thanks

Wow those RC birds are all beautiful. I would love to get behind the sticks of that Phantom, Corsair and definitely the Mustang. My apartment ceiling is filing up with RC and plastic model planes. I have a 6 foot B-17 painted as my Dad's hanging in my living room. It's a good thing I'm single 🤣

Very nice. It's always nice to have a permanent place.