Skystreak walkaround — the next to rare Douglas D-558-1 at the Carolinas Aviation Museum
Skystreak walkaround — the next to rare Douglas D-558-1 at the Carolinas Aviation Museum
The Skystreak performed in the shadow of the Bell X-1. The importance of the X-1 missions cannot be understated — neither should the Skystreak accomplishments be forgotten. Data gathered during the flights of Douglas’s D-558-1 not only were critical in designs of aircraft flying in the high subsonic and transonic ranges but also so with ordnance positioned under the wings. This research results were critical to the successful designs in several subsequent aircraft designs in the Century Series of fighters — North American F-100 Super Sabre, McDonnell F-101 Voodoo, Convair F-102 Delta Dagger, Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, Republic F-105 Thunder chief and Convair F-106 Delta Dart — as well as the Douglas F4D Skyray and the Vought F8U Crusader.
A Skystreak in the original red livery is exhibited in the National Naval Aviation Museum and there is a post on (paste “Skystreak” into the search window and select ENTER to find it and read more specifics about this remarkable and unheralded historic aircraft). It sits on a wall and is a sight to see, but one cannot see it from more than one of two angles.
Luckily, there is one more on display and it is at the Carolinas Aviation Museum and it can be walked around and observed very closely. This Skystreak is painted in the later livery of white which was better suited for the optical tracking devices — interestingly, the control surfaces had to remain red to keep the control forces in balance. The photos below are of this Skystreak:
The Douglas D-558-1 Skystreak in the hangar of the Carolinas Aviation Museum — photo by Joseph May
The cockpit canopy, visibility was apparently needed only for horizon orientation and landing — photo by Joseph May
Escape was possible by the forward section separating from the fuselage with the pilot subsequently bailing out — photo by Joseph May
The Skystreak had only enough wing to fly, note the original red livery remnant of the aileron — photo by Joseph May
The Skystreak was used especially for research in the all moving horizontal stabilizer at transonic speeds — photo by Joseph May
No, the pilot had almost no view with the cockpit canopy more like a visor than for viewing — photo by Joseph May
A rear aspect view of the Skystreak — photo by Joseph May
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Additional information:
A symposium was held in 1998 on the D-558 Program which generated a book. The book is entitled Toward Mach 2: the Douglas D-558 Program, February 4, 1998, J.D. Hunley (ed.), NASA SP: 4222, 1999, 161 pp. and can be downloaded as a PDF document from here (it is a 22Mb file size).
Here is the Douglas D-558-1 Skystreak page at the National Naval Aviation Museum web site.
Pope Air Park — Airlifters!
Pope Air Park — Airlifters!
35º 09′ 59″ N / 79º 00′ 14″ W
My first visit to Pope Air Park was close to two decades ago. Then it was within the boundaries of Pope Air Force Base which was entered first through Fort Bragg. The Air Park has aircraft on both sides of Reilly Road with fighter s on the west and cargo aircraft on the east.
Douglas C-47 Skytrain — photo by Joseph May
Things change, the base has reverted back to the U.S. Army and is know now as Pope Army Airfield. The fighter aircraft have been relocated to other museums — memorials now take up the positions — but the cargo aircraft remain and are in mint condition. I’m not sure what the official name is but, as it is dedicated to cargo aircraft of the U.S. Air Force, I call it Pope Airlifter Air Park.
Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar — photo by Joseph May
There are several aircraft and, naming them in order from north to south there are: Lockheed C-130 Hercules, Fairchild C-123 Provider (a model with two piston engines), Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar and Douglas C-47 Skytrain.
Fairchild C-123 Provider — photo by Joseph May
All look new and the C-47 is displayed above ground and looking quite impressive. All the aircraft liveries are in excellent condition and are best viewed in an afternoon light or cloudy diffused light, The park designed for walking in and around these aircraft which have been so important in the nation’s history. Nothing happens unless guns, butter and beans are delivered to front and in time — these aircraft are part of making such things happen.
Lockheed C-130 Hercules — photo by Joseph May
The museum is free and entry is gained onto the base only by the security gate on the All American Highway (take care to be in the left hand most lane when approaching the gate). It’s a bit tricky, but once cleared through security (have a license/passport, insurance card as well as open the trunk, hood and all doors ) one has to cross three lanes of traffic in 0.2 miles (0.3km) to take the Reilly St exit north about 1 mile (1.6km) later. Pay close heed to speed limits and travel 1.9 miles (3.1km) to the Air Park where parking can be found on its northern side. There are no facilities so plan well though it is only a slight inconvenience given the museums near the air park.
Controversy at the Northwest Florida Airport — but not its F-15 Eagle
From the 22 January 2012 edition of The Walton Sun I read the story of the recent settlement in a years long dispute regarding the upgrade construction of the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. Fortunately, the F-15 Eagle (made by McDonnell-Douglas which has been absorbed by Boeing) is standing proud in front of the terminal there.
F-15 Eagle at the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport — photo by Joseph May
The gun side of the Eagle which is unusually on the right — photo by Joseph May
Wingman's view of the Eagle, note the pair of Raytheon AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missiles in their conformal fuselage stations — photo by Joseph May
Muzzles of the 20mm rotary cannon— photo by Joseph May
The engines of the F-15 lie close for streamlining as opposed the separation of the Grumman F-14 Tomcat's for better combat survivability — photo by Joseph May
Airlifters Sculpture
Airlifters Sculpture
This sculpture lies within an air park on the premises of what is now Pope Army Airfield (U.S. Army), formerly Pope Air Base (USAF) and before that owned by the U.S. Army. While an Air Force Base the air park was on both side of Reilly Street — with cargo aircraft to the east and fighter aircraft to the west. The fighter aircraft have all found new homes but the cargo aircraft remain, the airplanes tasked with delivering the goods anywhere on the planet — by parachute, short or long landings — troops, munitions, fuel or other supplies — the airlifters.
Sculpture at the air park on what is now the Pope Army Airfield base — photo by Joseph May
No caption required — photo by Joseph May
The Airlifter Air Park will be featured in Wednesday’s post 
Royal Aircraft Factory SE-5A — a “Scarlet Lady”
Royal Aircraft Factory SE-5A — a Scarlet Lady
This Royal Aircraft Factory SE-5A replica can be seen in U.S. Army Aviation Museum in Alabama and is in the markings of the 25th Aero Squadron.
The SE-5A, along with the Sopwith Camel, were significant aircraft in the late stages of WW I since they attained final air superiority over the German forces.
An "under the bloomers" view of the Royal Aircraft Factory SE-5 A know as "Scarlet Lady" — photo by Joseph May
The above wing mount for a Lewis .303 caliber machine gun, which could either be fired in the fixed forward position or flexibly, is plainly seen — photo by Joseph May
The left cylinder bank of the V-8 liquid cooled engine — photo by Joseph May
More posts about the museum and its aircraft can easily be found by pasting “Army Aviation Museum” into the search window and selecting ENTER
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My thanks to Ross Sharp of Shortfinals’s Blog for assisting with this post.
John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Museum
U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Museum
35º 07′ 33″ N / 78º 59′ 47″ W
Emblem of the U.S. Army Special Forces — photo by Joseph May
This museum houses some of the country’s artifacts and relics which were collected most dearly. All of them, without exception, were purchased with pain, blood and sacrifice. It takes several years of hard training to earn a colored beret of the U.S. Army and these soldiers have a small but national calibre museum within the perimeter of Ft. Bragg, North Carolina — the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Museum.
Statue to Col. Arthur D. "Bull" Simons — photo by Joseph May
I chose to visit in mid December 2011 and was surprised to find the main gallery was under renovation. This museum does not have a web site but its association and store have joined in one — the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Museum Association. Unfortunately, the web site did not mention the main gallery closure — which it should have, at least for the visitors who spend money and take time from work to drop in to see the history which is on exhibit there. Fortunately, there were exhibits on the grounds.
Replica of an 81mm mortar pit — photo by Joseph May
Captured DShK-38 12.7mm heavy machine gun — photo by Joseph May
The museum store is open, as is a small gallery, and I was extremely lucky in running into a man I only know as “Ted the Exhibit Guy”, a quiet professional. On his own initiative, befitting a museum dedicated to a special warfare museum, he pointed out the newly installed LED lights which are super modern, not yet available generally. Clustered in threes, they emit a bright light without wasteful heat or damaging UV wavelengths. These lights will better preserve artifacts which have certain inks and dyes as well as reduce air conditioning costs. He also showed the exhibit cases being built. This national caliber museum does not have a national caliber budget so these cases are being made by Ted and for less than a fifth the retail cost — adapting and overcoming is the Army way. I am consistently pleased and amazed by the intelligence and professionalism of museum staff such as Ted.
Relic of the World Trade Center resulting from the 9-11 attacks — photo by Joseph May
I’ll be happy to go back, once the main gallery reopens, to see the revamped exhibits but primarily to see “Barbara” — the model.
The museum is free and entry is gained onto the base only by the security gate on the All American Highway (take care to be in the left hand most lane when approaching the gate). It is a bit tricky this next bit, but once cleared through security (have a license/passport, insurance card as well as open the trunk, hood and all doors ) one has to cross three lanes of traffic in 0.2 miles (0.3km) to take the Gruber Rd exit west. Pay close heed to speed limits and travel 0.8 miles (1.3km) to Reilly St then turn right (north). A short way will bring you to Ardennes Rd where a left turn should be made to the west where, a block later, is the intersection of Ardennes Rd and Marion St — the museum is on the southeastern corner of this intersection with parking in the back off of Marion Sreet. Restrooms are there — as is water.
De Havilland DH 98 Mosquito — one of the best, bar none
De Havilland DH 98 Mosquito — one of the best, bar none
Known as “The Wooden Wonder” and “Mossie”, all nicknames for an aircraft of many roles, this is one of WW IIs’ best aircraft designs. The de Havilland Mosquito flew high and fast, so much so that it could not be intercepted, never needing defensive armament. Mosquitos also flew daringly low in Operation Jericho, the exceptional daylight bombing raid on the Gestapo prison in Amiens France on 18 April 1944. There were almost countless other variants such as: attack and night fighter with 4 x 20mm cannon and 4 x .303 caliber machine guns, photo recon, even maritime strike with a 57mm cannon in addition to the 4 x .303 caliber machine guns.
The US Army Air Force (USAAF) obtained about 140 Mosquitos, using them in several roles. The aircraft displayed with the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force was manufactured as a B Mk 35 but has been restored to represent a Mosquito XVI as a weather reconnaissance aircraft of the 653rd Bombardment Squadron late in WW II. The museum’s fact sheet can be seen here.
de Havilland DH 98 Mosquito XVI as a weather reconnaissance aircraft of the 653rd Bombardment Squadron late in WW II — photo by Joseph May
A wide-angle lens perspective of the Mosquito on exhibit in the National Museum of the USAF — photo by Joseph May
Mission symbols of this "Mossie" — photo by Joseph May
In a time of scarce materials, and with a work force in Great Britain extremely skilled in wood work, de Havilland decided at the outset to build the wings and fuselage with plywood. The story of this aircraft and how it was almost nixed was told quite well by Ross Sharp of Shortfinals’s Blog. His synopsis of the Mosquito and how it very nearly did not come to be can be read in his post entitled De Havilland B.35 Mosquito, RAF Museum, London and ‘The People’s Mosquito’ Project, published on 29 December 2011.
Mosquito — cannot buy it?
Build it!
Ross Sharp introduced us to The People’s Mosquito Project where a new aircraft will be made from the historic molds used by de Havilland. These are modern and exciting times with many historical aircraft being produced for flight and this Mossie will no doubt be chief among them. Seeing in on this exciting and unique project, joining it or supporting it can be done by going to the following links:
Gone — Ken Terry and his “Midnight Special”
Gone — Ken Terry and his “Midnight Special”
My original intention was to write a post comparing the two of Beechcraft’s Mentor models — the T-34B and the T-34C, a piston and a turboprop. In reality the post was a ploy to publish images of an impressive yellow Mentor and a striking navy blue with shark’s teeth Mentor.
While drafting the post I received the latest newsletter of the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum, UnScramble. Ironically, it brought word of the sudden passing of Ken Terry. He, as well as Mike Fuller of Port Orange FL, died as a result of the crash of his T-34B Mentor called “Midnight Special” upon departure from Wings Field, near Williston FL on 5 November 2011. Mike Fuller was in the front seat and Ken Terry was in the back seat. Terry was quite accomplished as an aviator (60,000 hours experience), service man and family man. I also know he was well liked by those in the museum.
Ken Terry piloting his Beechcraft T-34B Mentor "Midnight Special" with photographer Phyllis Lilienthal (I believe) in the rear seat — photo by Joseph May
I did not have the luck to know him but I saw him fly one fine clear day. Returning home from a road trip in 2009 I dropped in on the museum and, by fabulous coincidence, their C-47 restoration to flight project was moments away from taking wing on her first test flight. Her name is “Tico Belle” and the aircraft is a Douglas C-47 Skytrain which served in the Normandy Invasion of WW II.
Ralph Kenneth “Ken” Terry was there with his aircraft to fly wing as well as serve as photoship. As I was watching the Tico Belle gaining altitude with her main gear being retracted I witnessed Ken Terry flying his Mentor as if it were on a rail. He flew in from above and behind the Tico Belle, zooming to a lower altitude then pulling up — gaining altitude and slowing simultaneously — to merge into perfect formation with the accelerating C-47. There were no hesitations or tentative moments with his flying. A complicated balance of forces and timing were mentally calculated with the execution made to look easy. It was simply a pleasure to watch flying done at its best.
Ken Terry forming on the "Tico Belle" while on her first flight after restoration, he flew the difficult maneuver like one slips a hand into a glove — photo by Joseph May
North Carolina ANG 145th Airlift Wing — static displays at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport
North Carolina ANG 145th Airlift Wing — static displays near Charlotte-Douglas International Airport
Only a few minutes from Charlotte-Douglas Airport’s main terminal is the portion of the airport that is the base for the North Carolina Air National Guard 145th Airlift Wing. The base has had other squadrons based there as can be seen by the North American F-86D Sabre mounted atop a plinth. Currently — judging by aircraft being serviced in the hangars as well as a static display so recent is does not appear in either Google Earth, Google Maps or Bird’s eye view in Bing maps — a Lockheed C-130 Hercules.
The gate entrance to the 145th Airlift Wing ANG of North Carolina on Minuteman Way, just north of Morris Field Drive near Charlotte Douglas International Airport — photo by Joseph May
35º 12′ 53″ N / 80º 55′ 26″ W
North American F-86 Sabre, a Sabre with radar and rockets but no guns, "flying" as gate guard — photo by Joseph May
35º 12′ 54″ N / 80º 55′ 29″ W
Lockheed C-130 Hercules at the intersection of Minuteman Way and Morris Field Drive in Charlotte — photo by Joseph May
The view of the Hercules from Minuteman Way — photo by Joseph May
You will enjoy this HAM — the Hickory Aviation Museum
You will enjoy this HAM — the Hickory Aviation Museum
35º 44′ 31″ N / 81º 23′ 23″ W
The sign says it all — photo by Joseph May
Seeing the Hickory Aviation Museum for my first time was like seeing a flash of gold in the sifting pan — it was worth it. I arrived before the museum had opened but could see its aircraft exhibited on the airport apron behind the fence. There were about a dozen aircraft and a good variety of them, as well. I could also see that two were used to show cockpits — always a good idea, I think, especially for children.
It was a pleasant surprise to see a Marine Air Corps Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighters in the colors of an aggressor aircraft. One aircraft I wanted to see was the Hispaῆo HA-200 Saeta (“Arrow” when translated from Spanish) which was a jet trainer designed by Willy Messerschmitt shortly after WW II — I had not seen one before this visit.
But, I get ahead of the story.
Soon the museum was opened and I was able to see that it occupies a former area of the airport’s terminal. The room is small but artifacts and models are plentiful. Ejection seats, an arresting hook, helmets, log books, photos, expertly made models in dioramas and much more. Then out to wander about the aircraft on display — and there are many.
Parking lot view of the HAM's aircraft — photo by Joseph May
Partial view along one of the two ranks or aircraft (F-14, T-33, FJ Fury) — photo by Joseph May
Hispano HA-200 Saeta in Spanish Air Force livery — photo by Joseph May
North American FJ -3 Fury (more powerful UK engine than the Sabre, wing leading edge refinements and a refueling boom) — photo by Joseph May
LTV A-7 Corsair II — photo by Joseph May
FedEx Fokker F-27 Friendship — photo by Joseph May
Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter as a Marine Air Corps aggressor aircraft — photo by Joseph May
This is one of those charming museums to wander about in as well as to take children. Restroom facilities are in the airport lobby and the admission cannot be beat as it is free to all. Getting there is easy enough, simply go to the Hickory Airport — signs direct you there from the town. The signs stop at the airport, however, but simply go to the end of terminal building where you will see the museum and its aircraft.
