I restored an old air mail searchlight several years ago. It was beautifully made and crafted with all brass fittings-the stories it could tell.... Thank you for taking on the challenge of restoring and keeping alive the history!!!
Landed there in my old Twin Commander about 15 years ago on my way to Chicago (there's video of it on my channel). I was completely weathered in all around and it was my only option as the light faded. Got a ride into town from a farmer in his pickup and stayed at the local inn, which was an experience in itself. Great times. Glad someone is saving it!
Absolutely amazing that you are going to restore a piece of aviation history. If places like this doesn't get restored and remembered, it may be forgotten. Thanks for taking on this challenge and inspiring others to do the same. Good luck and keep us updated through your channel.
Hello I’m that radio talk show host from Wyoming heard on radio stations around the region. My name is Glenn Woods. Would you like to come on my show and talk about this? I’m going to write up an article for Wyoming to see about your pursuit of this project. I’m also a pilot and I visited that Airport many times and love it.
I remember watching the Virginian TV series as a kid, with Doug McClure. I flew over Medicine Bow flying cargo hundreds of times from Billings to Denver and back. Hope you can get it up and running again!
I had no idea that a nearly complete airmail site like this existed anywhere today! Having the original strip, a shack, tower, light and concrete arrow is fantastic! I would love to be able to fly in and actually see what one of those rotating beacons looks like from 10 miles out with little else around. The shack looks like it has amazing potential. I was just at the National Air and Space Museum in DC last weekend marveling at the rotating, lit tower they have in the museum. It would be really special to have an original back functioning at a real site.
@@SirDrifto At the risk of being an overenthusiastic weirdo I tried e-mailing you on the address listed for the channel about supporting the project. That address may well be a black hole - what's a good way to contact you about contributing and/or technical expertise?
Shelbyville, Indiana has an original light and tower that has been restored a couple of times over the years. It is still standing, but was replaced with a modern beacon about a decade ago.
The WY DOT Aviation division may be greatly interested. The FAA has $$$ for airport improvements. They typically will be the sugar daddy with 80-90% funding, WY DOT would contribute 5-10%. Medicine Bow would fill in the blanks. (I'm former airport commission member in Iowa)
Usually, the FAA will only fund with what they call BIL funds, airports that has a certain amount of economical impact. Not sure what impact this airport has but it's viable. @SirDrifto
What are we without our history? The beacon and power/weather report house are amazing given their age. Medicine Bow residents should be proud of themselves.
Please let us know how we can donate!!! Thank you!!! Every bit of history we can save is very important. The weather paper/tape you saved is awesome. Explains perfectly why weather is still even today sent out in such a format.
I found this location on my 1945 sectional chart. The airway code for the beacon was, dot dash dash and was number 31 along the lighted route. The airport elevation is published at 6640 feet and as an auxiliary LF.
Myself and several others have been working on preserving the remains of this airfield for several years now. I just gave a power point on it at the Museum of Flight in Seattle last month based on our research work over several years, including the hangars I would love to talk to you about it. It might be on their YouTub channel by now. Good work, Larry Liebrecht - Colorado Aviation Historical Society's Aviation Archaeology group.
@@larryliebrecht5176 that is very cool. Any historical info is needed as we are going to put a book together. Especially flying stories from pilots and events.
Very happy you are an active interest in restoring this airport. We have known about this airport for several years even though we are not local residents. As a major Google map reviewer I tried to do my part by clarifying and documenting this place as before it was poorly located, reviewed and imaged. Thanks for the video as it gives me some images to complete the Google Map description. All images will retain your watermark and I will include authorship and a request for assistance to restore this place.
I never knew about the Airmail sites until I was working as an aerial observer doing pipeline patrol up in Wyoming. We came across the site (no light tower or structures, just the arrow) just north of the Rock Springs airport, right off of our pipeline right-of-way, and I took a bunch of photos and went online later that night to see if I could find out what it was. Come to find out, it was part of the old Airmail system in the U.S. I had no idea this even existed! Thanks for your efforts in saving this piece of aviation history!
Nuts! I was flying over this airport a few weeks ago and was so fascinated by it I researched what I could about it when I got home. I couldn't find much. Glad you're bringing interest to it!
Getting people involved in this is going to be vital to It's success. There are aviation UA-cam channels that could be instrumental with that like Blancolirio, Trent Palmer & Mike Patey. The good weather has already passed out there but I could see a fly-in in the spring being popular & would put a bunch of manhours into this project.
I think I may be able to drum up some people with an interest in helping with this project. It is in our backyard (almost) just a short hop from Wheatland. We might be able to get some guys out of Laramie interested in helping also.
Truly any help is welcomed. I need carpentry, electrical, I need help getting the beacon restored too. That would he wonderful! Any help is appreciated! Electrical, wood, siding, painting, I need to track down lenses and a bulb for the beacon and get help on getting the tower to rotate again. Good news power grid is 100ft away. Saving this is a big objective now.
I didn’t see any mention of this being the very first airport with a charted IFR approach. This is the airport that Jeppesen started charting arrivals in his notebook.
@ I just remember an article in Flying Magazine about it back in the 90’s. I live in Wyoming and use to fly over that area a lot and was so amazed that is where it all started for Jeppesen.
Nathan, this is a very noble endeavor and your pursuit of this project is infectious. Maybe one of the first tasks would be to repair the roof to keep the weather out and help save what timber is left inside. I remember my Dad telling me of a story of how he lost a friend flying the mail in the early thirties about the time he joined the Air Corps. BTW, I was checking your aircraft out at the LMO show. Wish I would have known of this project then, would of loved to get more details about history of the site and help. Regards, EAA 648
If you don't have electric, solar would be a cheaper way to electrify in every way. That's if you do it DC and do it right. I'm looking for land for an airfield homestead. Any suggestions for getting around websites and realtors?
When I saw the thumbnail I knew exactly the location. I'm up near Casper and would love to be a part of this project if timing and availability are compatible.
Have you spoken with the Recreational Aviation Foundation? There should be a Wyoming chapter! Check them out. Their goal is to restore and keep airports. Best, Dan
This is fantastic! Can you take financial donations? Can you provide information/data on the model and manufacturer of the beacon? I work with antique cars and it's amazing what can be found on the internet. Best of luck and keep these videos coming!!!
I’d like to lend a helping hand if you need some volunteers with some elbow grease to get that weather station in shape. I even think I could get my Cherokee 140 in there. I’m based out of Erie and introduced myself to you a few weeks ago. My tail number is N 7055R.
That would he wonderful! Yes it was great to meet you, beautiful plane btw. Any help is appreciated! Electrical, wood, siding, painting, I need to track down lenses and a bulb for the beacon and get help on getting the tower to rotate again. Good news power grid is 100ft away. Saving this is our objective now.
It appears on Google Earth that there is a Tee Hangar about a third of the way down that main runway on the same road as the tower. Is It still in use? I did notice it on the video near the end, too
That stone/slab/concrete circle, could it have been the site for a "Landing-T"/Wind wane? Much more visible from a distance than a tiny wind sock imho.
I've dreamed of restoring the Medicine Bow Airport site. Good on ya for committing.
I restored an old air mail searchlight several years ago. It was beautifully made and crafted with all brass fittings-the stories it could tell.... Thank you for taking on the challenge of restoring and keeping alive the history!!!
Landed there in my old Twin Commander about 15 years ago on my way to Chicago (there's video of it on my channel). I was completely weathered in all around and it was my only option as the light faded. Got a ride into town from a farmer in his pickup and stayed at the local inn, which was an experience in itself. Great times. Glad someone is saving it!
That’s crazy awesome you landed a twin there.
Absolutely amazing that you are going to restore a piece of aviation history. If places like this doesn't get restored and remembered, it may be forgotten. Thanks for taking on this challenge and inspiring others to do the same. Good luck and keep us updated through your channel.
@@fryheels thanks for the support
They should save this as a historical site!!! It should be preserved for later generations to see and experience!!!
Hello I’m that radio talk show host from Wyoming heard on radio stations around the region. My name is Glenn Woods. Would you like to come on my show and talk about this? I’m going to write up an article for Wyoming to see about your pursuit of this project. I’m also a pilot and I visited that Airport many times and love it.
Hi there, yes absolutely, shoot me an email we can coordinate.
What is the FAA designator for this airport?
@josephsener420 80v
Glad to hear the city is interested in keeping it, we are losing far to many airports...
@@brandenraftery5074 agreed!
I remember watching the Virginian TV series as a kid, with Doug McClure. I flew over Medicine Bow flying cargo hundreds of times from Billings to Denver and back. Hope you can get it up and running again!
@@donalddepew9605 that's very cool! Yes that's the plan!
I had no idea that a nearly complete airmail site like this existed anywhere today! Having the original strip, a shack, tower, light and concrete arrow is fantastic! I would love to be able to fly in and actually see what one of those rotating beacons looks like from 10 miles out with little else around. The shack looks like it has amazing potential. I was just at the National Air and Space Museum in DC last weekend marveling at the rotating, lit tower they have in the museum. It would be really special to have an original back functioning at a real site.
@@tomdchi12 that's the plan! Definitely a really nice grass strip to land at too
@@SirDrifto At the risk of being an overenthusiastic weirdo I tried e-mailing you on the address listed for the channel about supporting the project. That address may well be a black hole - what's a good way to contact you about contributing and/or technical expertise?
Shelbyville, Indiana has an original light and tower that has been restored a couple of times over the years. It is still standing, but was replaced with a modern beacon about a decade ago.
Absolutely epic. This would make an amazing video series!
@@steveeppy5596 I can do episodes on the progress
The WY DOT Aviation division may be greatly interested. The FAA has $$$ for airport improvements. They typically will be the sugar daddy with 80-90% funding, WY DOT would contribute 5-10%. Medicine Bow would fill in the blanks. (I'm former airport commission member in Iowa)
Any help or info in regards to that would be amazing. Last we heard FAA didn't have any interest since it's not a maintain strip. But I'm all ears.
Usually, the FAA will only fund with what they call BIL funds, airports that has a certain amount of economical impact. Not sure what impact this airport has but it's viable. @SirDrifto
What are we without our history? The beacon and power/weather report house are amazing given their age. Medicine Bow residents should be proud of themselves.
And we're gonna preserve it so the rest of the world can see how vital these points in time were.
@@SirDrifto Well worth the effort to today's visitors and tomorrow's.
Please let us know how we can donate!!! Thank you!!! Every bit of history we can save is very important. The weather paper/tape you saved is awesome. Explains perfectly why weather is still even today sent out in such a format.
Thank you so much! We are setting up a gofund me and a Airmail Store with various shirts and hats you can order. I'll send more details
Heck yeah I’d love a sticker for my toolbox
Thanks for trying to save an important piece of aviation history...what a civic and cultural resource.
I found this location on my 1945 sectional chart. The airway code for the beacon was, dot dash dash and was number 31 along the lighted route. The airport elevation is published at 6640 feet and as an auxiliary LF.
@@olsurferguy1 very cool, do you have that documentation I could get a copy of?
Myself and several others have been working on preserving the remains of this airfield for several years now. I just gave a power point on it at the Museum of Flight in Seattle last month based on our research work over several years, including the hangars I would love to talk to you about it. It might be on their YouTub channel by now. Good work, Larry Liebrecht - Colorado Aviation Historical Society's Aviation Archaeology group.
@@larryliebrecht5176 that is very cool. Any historical info is needed as we are going to put a book together. Especially flying stories from pilots and events.
Very happy you are an active interest in restoring this airport. We have known about this airport for several years even though we are not local residents. As a major Google map reviewer I tried to do my part by clarifying and documenting this place as before it was poorly located, reviewed and imaged. Thanks for the video as it gives me some images to complete the Google Map description. All images will retain your watermark and I will include authorship and a request for assistance to restore this place.
I never knew about the Airmail sites until I was working as an aerial observer doing pipeline patrol up in Wyoming. We came across the site (no light tower or structures, just the arrow) just north of the Rock Springs airport, right off of our pipeline right-of-way, and I took a bunch of photos and went online later that night to see if I could find out what it was. Come to find out, it was part of the old Airmail system in the U.S. I had no idea this even existed!
Thanks for your efforts in saving this piece of aviation history!
Nuts! I was flying over this airport a few weeks ago and was so fascinated by it I researched what I could about it when I got home. I couldn't find much. Glad you're bringing interest to it!
@@stephenabbott3623 it's such a special gem and we have to save it
Getting people involved in this is going to be vital to It's success. There are aviation UA-cam channels that could be instrumental with that like Blancolirio, Trent Palmer & Mike Patey. The good weather has already passed out there but I could see a fly-in in the spring being popular & would put a bunch of manhours into this project.
I think I may be able to drum up some people with an interest in helping with this project. It is in our backyard (almost) just a short hop from Wheatland. We might be able to get some guys out of Laramie interested in helping also.
Truly any help is welcomed. I need carpentry, electrical, I need help getting the beacon restored too. That would he wonderful! Any help is appreciated! Electrical, wood, siding, painting, I need to track down lenses and a bulb for the beacon and get help on getting the tower to rotate again. Good news power grid is 100ft away. Saving this is a big objective now.
Those are large capacity fuses in the electrical panel likely for the beacon lamp power.
@@danblumel that sounds about right
I didn’t see any mention of this being the very first airport with a charted IFR approach. This is the airport that Jeppesen started charting arrivals in his notebook.
@@shanelarsen1436 that's news to me. How cool!! Any documentation on this?
@ I just remember an article in Flying Magazine about it back in the 90’s. I live in Wyoming and use to fly over that area a lot and was so amazed that is where it all started for Jeppesen.
Nathan, this is a very noble endeavor and your pursuit of this project is infectious. Maybe one of the first tasks would be to repair the roof to keep the weather out and help save what timber is left inside. I remember my Dad telling me of a story of how he lost a friend flying the mail in the early thirties about the time he joined the Air Corps. BTW, I was checking your aircraft out at the LMO show. Wish I would have known of this project then, would of loved to get more details about history of the site and help. Regards, EAA 648
Love the kind words. I absolutely will keep you in the loop.
Fascinating, thanks!
Good that you want to restore this important site. Before this point they might have been called The Pony Express. Yes, it needs to be saved.
Nice ,Thanks!
another nice video THANKS
Thanks again!
If you don't have electric, solar would be a cheaper way to electrify in every way. That's if you do it DC and do it right. I'm looking for land for an airfield homestead. Any suggestions for getting around websites and realtors?
In the very short term, repaint the yellow paint on the concrete course arrow. It's a small step, but it's a step.
When I saw the thumbnail I knew exactly the location. I'm up near Casper and would love to be a part of this project if timing and availability are compatible.
Doggo steals the show at 25 minute mark…….
Have you spoken with the Recreational Aviation Foundation? There should be a Wyoming chapter! Check them out. Their goal is to restore and keep airports. Best, Dan
@@brendaanddangray7328 we have spoken to a couple. They are very helpful.
I hope to visit someday to review the fruits of your efforts.
@@michaelbohlander6711 please do!
When I lived out west we were thinking about repainting all the arrows we could find. But we moved to the east coast before the plans came together.
This is fantastic! Can you take financial donations? Can you provide information/data on the model and manufacturer of the beacon? I work with antique cars and it's amazing what can be found on the internet. Best of luck and keep these videos coming!!!
Yes we are almost done setting up the airmail store. Where you can buy shirts, hats, swag and a percentage goes into a restoration fund.
I believe Ephrata WA has a very similar tower. It was a WWII training base.
@@dja1353 is it in good shape ?
Are we all going to just ignore the fact that he drives a van that Ron Burgundy himself owned?
@@MikeF1189 😆😆😆😆
I’ve flown in there many times in my Kitfox 3. Live in Laramie and would love to help. Have tools.
@@gavindonnelly4767 I appreciate the help I’ll keep you in the loop on the next moves
Rebuilding the hangar would be a big asset….period correct of course
@@markmay1655 I agree
I have an idea. Have a drive in / fly in , work weekend.
that's a great idea!
I’d like to lend a helping hand if you need some volunteers with some elbow grease to get that weather station in shape. I even think I could get my Cherokee 140 in there. I’m based out of Erie and introduced myself to you a few weeks ago. My tail number is N 7055R.
That would he wonderful! Yes it was great to meet you, beautiful plane btw. Any help is appreciated! Electrical, wood, siding, painting, I need to track down lenses and a bulb for the beacon and get help on getting the tower to rotate again. Good news power grid is 100ft away. Saving this is our objective now.
It appears on Google Earth that there is a Tee Hangar about a third of the way down that main runway on the same road as the tower. Is It still in use? I did notice it on the video near the end, too
@@rixtrix11 yes there is one at the cross runway
That stone/slab/concrete circle, could it have been the site for a "Landing-T"/Wind wane? Much more visible from a distance than a tiny wind sock imho.
If its an official Airport you can request State grants through the city .
Unfortunately it seems the city is quite tight with any grants or money at the moment.
What are the wooden poles? I can't figure what function that would have at an airport.
@@ik04 it used to be a hangar
coat the beacon components in corrosionx especially the motor and the wires bearings ect.
@@michaelbohlander6711 that’s good to know!
try contacting the RAF- recreational aviation foundation. They are involved with this type of project across the country.
If there is a way I could donate, I’d love to throw a few bucks your way on the deal!
Absolutely! We're starting a go fund me and I'm working on an Airmail store with hats and shirts that a percentage goes to saving the site.
is this 80V?
@@idahoairplanes1235 yes
How can I help?
It's an arrow.....................
Seatbelt please.....,
Dog photo bombed peeing on the tire.
He's the best real-estate mogul with his peeing territory shenanigans 🤣
I guess they don’t wear seatbelts up in the Libertarian wilds of Wyoming….
@@UAL320 🤣🤣🤣🤣