Old aircraft displayed

[Plant#4]

WOW! That's the first picture I've seen of the tandem cockpit F-102 Delta Dagger. I'm not sure but I think there was only one of these made. Can anyone confirm that?

 

Nice pics!!!

 

Wayne

They never made a tandem seat TF-102. They sat side by side, and there was about 111 of those made or so.

I plan to go to the 100 mile garage sale next month, in WI and Minn, maybe I can find my way over to Madison. Thanks for the heads up! Dave

[Steindaddie]

Typically, each interceptor squadron was assigned a pair of TF-102's to be used for check rides and other pilot proficiency requirements. That being said, the TF-102, universally known as the "Tub", was, in my humble opinion, one of the ugliest jet aircraft ever created. (I've always thought it looked like an overfed A-6 Intruder.)

 

PS. A friend of mine flew the 102 for seven years and he said flying the Tub was like dating the ugliest woman in town - you just didn't want to be seen doing it.

[Teamski]

PS. A friend of mine flew the 102 for seven years and he said flying the Tub was like dating the ugliest woman in town - you just didn't want to be seen doing it.

 

 

[blinky]

This is an old thread! But, worthy of an update:

 

Early in the year we learned that Huey 171 has a history much more interesting than we realized. 171 joined the 189th Assualt Helicopter Company "Ghostriders" in May 1967. On October 6, 1967 Ghostrider 171 was flying a Special Forces unit into Laos where they received heavy groundfire upon landing. The pilot, Captain Eustice Shiver, was shot through the left arm while a second round shattered his left leg. Ghostrider 171 took several rounds into the engine and transmission but the primary pilot was able to lift off and gain altitude even with the engine of 171 running out of control and pouring out thick smoke. The pilot was able to make it back into South Vietnam, making a hard landing at Dak To. Even though badly injured, Captain Shiver assumed that was the last he would see of the badly damaged 171.

 

Early in the year we were contacted by Mr. Eustice Shiver (Col. retired) who, through the 189th AHC Association, discovered Ghostrider 171 had survived the war. In May of this year Mr. Shiver and his wife made the journey from Florida to Wisconsin for a reunion with the Huey he last saw on October 6, 1967. Every detail of that mission and that day were as fresh in his mind as they were 40 years ago. Sitting in the right seat he recounted each minute of the flight, including when they were hit. The highlight was when he spoke of the round that shattered his leg: he didn't realize he had been hit, his foot came off the rudder pedal and when he went to put it back it "sounded like broken glass." He remembered the round, he was focused on the panel when it came through and the instrument in front of him shattered. As he pointed to where it was he noticed the repair on the panel next to the replaced instrument. It was at this momement we all realized 171 was no longer an anonymous "item" but something special. Further inspection showed the path of both rounds Mr. Shiver took that day, 40 years and a lifetime later.

 

All in all, it was a special day. She's a tough bird.

 

Eric

[hink441]

What a Great story. Did you happen to take some pics of the Col. in the Huey??

[blinky]

I didn't but his wife did, I was a bit reluctant because of the emotions but I'll share some that she took.

Another part of the story I should share was that someone on base asked Mr. Shiver if he'd be willing to do an impromptu "lecture" that afternoon and in a matter of minutes more than 50 people turned out and listened to his story for the next two hours (which is impressive for 4 pm on a Friday!). The Shiver's are planning to return this coming year along with some of the other men involved with the mission, hopefully this will turn into an annual trip for them.

 

Eric

[blinky]

I should mention anyone wishing to visit should plan on doing so this winter, the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs plans on closing the museum in June 2013.

[ikar]

Nice. I haven't seen some of those aircraft in some time. That TF-102 was always a sort of rare ship. Kind of ugly but kind of neat at the same time.I emember seeing KC-97s come into Dover all the time along with the C-123 and 124. It's a shame seeing the A-10 in a museum, it should be out flying and scareing the hell out of the enemy.

 

This A-10 was one of the first off the line. It was on it's way to it's new home, being escorted by the ship it was replacing, the A-37. It made a stopover at Littlerock and they let us look it over.

 

[manayunkman]

Blinky,

 

A wonderful connection.

 

I live for stories like that one.

 

What is going to happen to these machines after the close ?

 

MWalsh,

 

Thanks for starting this thread.

[Bluehawk]

Those would bring back a whole bunch of memories, for so many of us.

 

Nice to see some old friends again, thanks.

[MWalsh]

That is really too bad to hear Eric. You museum has one of the the best displays of aircraft in the upper Midwest, and is so easy to get to also. They are nicely displayed and well kept, it'll be a shame to see that all get closed down. In addition, the display of armored vehicles, cannons, field guns, let alone the inside displays in your main building, they are always nicely done.

 

MW

[MWalsh]

Off topic a bit, but here is the link to the thread I did on the Armor side of what is at Volk Field on display, as there really is a lot there and the drive is worth it!

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/71085-armored-vehicle-collection/page__hl__%2Bvolk+%2Bfield

 

MW

[blinky]

Here is a clip some of you might enjoy: Warthog vs. Chinook

 

 

The Hog won the first round when they got a late start and it warmed up before they could move her. Round two was won by the Chinook (though it seemed a little touch and go at first).

Most of the aircraft at Volk have undergone a restoration in the last couple of years with the F-4 and F-105 scheduled to be tackled this year. The great thing is they are being put back into their original markings and the company that has been doing the work has done an outstanding job.

All the birds there are pretty special; even though the 102s are on sticks they are still low enough to the ground to touch and get a great appreciation for how thin those wings really are. The KC-97 is pretty special in that it was flown there in 1977 and parked. Everything inside is the same as it was when it flew it's last flight from the maps to the gear. Since the aircraft on display either flew with the Wisconsin Air Guard or by units that visited Volk I always run into people who flew them or maintained them which for an aircraft nut made it one of the best jobs in the world.

 

When the museum is closed the static aircraft will stay but visitation will be much more restricted. The static equipment is a bit more up in the air. I don't see the DMA allowing Veterans Affair gaining access to it so sadly it will most likely be broken up as a collection and shipped elsewhere. Hopefully not the impact range.

If anyone is interested call the Wisconsin Adjutant General and ask him to support the National Guard Museum since DVA seems to show little interest in saving Guard history.

[Bluehawk]

... The KC-97 is pretty special in that it was flown there in 1977 and parked. Everything inside is the same as it was when it flew it's last flight from the maps to the gear. Since the aircraft on display either flew with the Wisconsin Air Guard or by units that visited Volk I always run into people who flew them or maintained them which for an aircraft nut made it one of the best jobs in the world.

 

What I would give to get in there and give her a sniff, just the one more time.