Photos of older military aircraft

[1ciderdog]

If you like photo's of military aircraft this might be of interest. These are (or were) in the mothball fleet at Davis Monthan (near Tucson, AZ)

Monthan Memories

Semper Fi
Bob

[Route 66]

It's hard to imagine that many aircraft mothballed.

[mustang652]

Now that series of pictures really dates me as there were a lot of aircraft pictured that were still being used when I first came on active duty.

[Usnret05]

Wow that was really something seeing all those old planes ... So much history ... You wonder who flew them and what missions they went on .. Thanks
Marc

[Larry & Rita]

Why don't they put these up for sell to the general public, to recoup at least some of the cost of production and storage?
North of Los Angeles is the equal to this for civilian aircraft, the Playboy fleet is stored there along with 250 commercial jets, just sitting there rotting.

[SteveLevin]

Actually, nothballed aircraft in the desert hold up very well and can fly again. They are also a source for spares in many cases -- and the tooling that built the original parts is long since gone.

In other cases (such as the strategic bombers) the aircraft need to be visible so the Russians can see them in satellite photos to know they haven't been returned to service.

Steve

[BeltoneMagoo]

Wow! What great pics! I especially liked the ones of the good old humpback whales known as "Warning Star" Super Constellations. I had flight time in the one with tail number 143196 back in 58-61. We called them "Willy Victors" (WV-2) when they belonged to the Navy. It looked more like the dark ones shown in the background. Oh what memories! Good luck to all!

[wingman8]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ciderdog If you like photo's of military aircraft this might be of interest. These are (or were) in the mothball fleet at Davis Monthan (near Tucson, AZ) Monthan Memories Semper Fi Bob

Thanks for the pictures, I flew on several of those old planes and I also went to Davis M many years ago. Hard to believe so many planes sitting there. Wonder why the Gov dosen't scrap them, bound to be millions of $ sitting there. Thanks again, Don USAF 8 yrs

[alageezer]

I am absolutely astounded. I was looking thru the photos, and saw some of the type aircraft I flew in Nam, the P-2 Neptune There was a link to another website that discussed the history of these a/c. I went there, and they had links to several units that flew these a/c, among them the Army unit I was with. Looking thru that site, I run across this picture. I am about 95% sure that is me, taken on the flight line at Cam Rahn Bay, in late 1967/early 68.

If anyone is interested, there are tube videos of our planes in VM. .

[Eric_H_E]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alageezer Looking thru that site, I run across this picture. I am about 95% sure that is me, taken on the flight line at Cam Rahn Bay, in late 1967/early 68. If anyone is interested, there are tube videos of our planes in VM. .

now that is cool

[SSteve]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry & Rita Why don't they put these up for sell to the general public, to recoup at least some of the cost of production and storage? North of Los Angeles is the equal to this for civilian aircraft, the Playboy fleet is stored there along with 250 commercial jets, just sitting there rotting.

As it stands, this is one of the few government agencies that generates a profit. A little research will explain.

Why don't they offer them for sale to the general public?

Because we don't want the aircraft, or their parts, fall in to the hands of the bad guys. And there are lots of bad guys out there.

Steve