¯ Derek was discussing "Room" with Wayne. ®
DW¯      I've never seen one up close and personal. From what I
DW¯ understand though, the last B-36 built - "The City of Fort
DW¯ Worth" - is being restored as a permanent static display at Ft
DW¯ Worth Alliance Airport.
That would be nice, there's a definite shortage of these big birds.
I've seen one up close at the Air Force museum at Dayton, and they
are absolutely AMAZING to walk around!  They are HUGE!  And
beautiful in a brutish, cigar-tube sort of way...
DW¯      For many years, it sat out (exposed to the elements) next
DW¯ to the parking lot of the old Ft Worth Greater Southwest
DW¯ International Airport (that was closed when D/FW International
DW¯ was opened in '74).
I'm amazed that it wasn't turned into beer cans and cookware a long,
long, time ago.  That is unfortunately the fate of all too many
classic aircraft...
We've got a an old C-97 here at Stockton Metro Airport that I'm
afraid is going to end up that way.  It was flown in about five
years ago to be converted to a borate bomber, and it's just been
sitting off to the side of one of the hardstands ever since.
Someone has cannibalized it for its no. four engine, all the tires
are flat, and it looks like a wreck now.  I'm afraid that it's only
a matter of time before it's cut up for the furnace too.  Pity, I've
ALWAYS liked the looks of that old airplane...
DW¯      Just before GSIA was closed there was some attempt to get
DW¯ it airworthy again, but (from what I've heard) it had been gone
DW¯ WAY too far between regular maintenance cycles, and time ran
DW¯ out.
I really doubt that any group could keep such an aircraft airworthy
anyway.  It's just too big, too complex, and too expensive to fly
(unless your group happens to have the initial USAF, that is).  If a
B-36 uses less than $1000.00 worth of avgas just to warm up the
engines, I'd be surprised.  The CAF's B-29 "Fifi" puts a huge drain
on their budget, and a B-36 would be at least twice as expensive to
fly and maintain...
It'd be really nice to see one fly, but unless the Air Force decides
to resurrect some of their classics is a "flying heritage" ala the
RAF, and the Canadian AF, it'll never happen...
DW¯ Hence, they had to cut it up and haul it via semi to an air
DW¯ mueseum near Carswell AFB/JRB. As such, it could never be made
DW¯ airworthy again.
Nope...  But at least with some luck, it will still be preserved.
That's something...
DW¯      After subcumbing to the elements though at the museum (from
DW¯ what I saw of it on the local news, it was starting to look
DW¯ pretty pathetic), some folks who used to work at the
DW¯ Consolidated/GD plant in Ft Worth got together with a
DW¯ restoration group to restore it for display at the new Ft Worth
DW¯ airport.
I wish them luck.  Too bad that they're so far away.  I wouldn't
mind donating some of my free time to helping on the project...
DW¯      I don't know the full story anymore. But I'd be interested
DW¯ in hearing more about this.
When you find out something, let me know...  Ok???
WT> Well, it's not my story, I just forwarded from the Fido "Funny"
WT> Echo.  Besides, too many facts can ruin an otherwise good story...
DW¯      I know, but I figured it was still worth pointing out.
Yeah...  According to my Uncle, the less said about F-102s the
better, anyway...
                              \x/7
Buttermilk and Glock pistols:  Two things people either love or hate.
... Flying will never be safe as long as one must drive to the airport.
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 * ¯ Member, GOA And JPFO ® *
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