Flight Systems Inc. Sabre N86FS

6/8/85, Mojave, CA.  "Flight Systems Sabre"

Flight Systems Inc.'s (FSI) Canadair Sabre Mk. 5 N86FS (c/n 1157, ex-RCAF 23367 is seen at rest in the bright desert sun.  This airplane was not part of the full-scale target (i.e., "drone") program.  She was effectively a brand new Sabre Mk. 5 built up from the aircraft purchased from Mr. Dave McEwen with the use of numerous spare parts.  Flight Systems also installed an Orenda engine as used in the Sabre 6 and she was used as a chase airplane for numerous flight test programs.  N86FS was reportedly a favorite of Flight Systems' president, W. R. "Bob" Laidlaw, and his name can be seen painted on her canopy in this picture.

After later use by FSI as a target tug, N86FS was eventually sold to Flying Fossils, Inc. of Hickory, NC and operated by them during the 2003-2006 time frame in a colorful USAF paint scheme. 

Unfortunately, on 7/24/06 (9 years ago today) she was destroyed during an attempted takeoff from Hickory on the way to the Oshkosh fly-in.  Sadly, her pilot, Mr. Wyatt Fuller, lost his life in the crash.  The NTSB probable cause can be found at http://tinyurl.com/NTSB-N86FS.

Despite her sad end, in June 1985 she was, perhaps, "the most beautiful Sabre 5 imaginable" as her owner, Mr. Laidlaw, often referred to her.

An excellent reference for those interested in the history of the F-86 Sabre is Duncan Curtis's "North American QF-86E/F/H/Sabre Full Scale Aerial Targets, Ginter Naval Fighters Number Fifty-Eight", published in 2001.  

"The Moose is Loose"!! KC-135R 58-0093

9/7/91 – 9/8/71, NAS South Weymouth.  "Arctic Cat"

Several views of KC-135R 58-0093 (c/n 17838, "Arctic Cat") of the 42nd Air Refueling Squadron of the Strategic Air Command's 42nd Bomb Wing based at Loring AFB, Limestone, ME.

KC-135R 58-0093 was originally delivered to the USAF on 8/26/59 as a KC-135A.  During 1989 (9/28/89), she was converted to a KC-135R with her original J-57 engines replaced by CFM International F-108-CF-100 turbofans (along with other mod's).  Remarkably, as of July 2015, it appears (see, for example,  http://www.airframes.org/reg/580093) that 0093 is still in active service with the USAF's 22nd Air Refueling Wing (augmented by the USAF Reserve's 931st Air Refueling Group) based at McConnell AFB, Kansas. 

Serving with SAC until SAC's 6/1/92 disestablishment, the 42nd ARS was deactivated on 4/30/94.  The 42nd BW itself was deactivated on 9/30/94 when Loring AFB was closed.  The 42nd Wing was reactivated the next day as the 42nd Airbase Wing at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, AL.

Photo 1 was taken on 9/8/91 and Photos 2- 7 were taken on 9/7/91.  In these photo's, 0093 was painted in the early 90's camo scheme known informally as the "Shamu" (AKA "Baby Shamu") scheme consisting of top surfaces in FS 36081 (Dark Gray, AKA Gunship Gray) and lower surfaces in FS 16473 (Gray, AKA Aircraft Gray).

Photo 1.  Port side of 0093 with NAS S. Weymouth's Hangar 1 in the right background.

Photo 2.  Starboard side of 0093.  Note the SAC emblem behind and below the cockpit windows. 

Photos 3 & 4.  Close-ups of the striking "Arctic Cat" nose art carried by 0093.  Also worthy of note are the airplane's S/N data block and the 42nd BW insignia with the Wing's motto, "Aethera Nobis" meaning, "The Skies For Us".

 

Photo 5.  Arctic Cat's ground-crew data block and an inscription indicating "The Moose is Loose".

Photo 6.  Close-up of 0093's vertical tail showing the Loring AFB emblem with a moose superimposed on the state of Maine.

Photo 7.  Another view of 0093's port side from a little bit forward. 

7/5/78, Midstate Regional Airport, Philipsburg, PA. "Chopper"

7/5/78, Midstate Regional Airport, Philipsburg, PA.  "Chopper"

I think the Hughes 500 series of helicopters are just about the sportiest-looking machines ever built.  Here are 4 views of Hughes 369HS (MD 500C) N8344F (c/n 56-0820S) on a beautiful central PA summer afternoon.  To me they tell a story of waiting, fueling, readying (for flight), and flying.

N8344F was ultimately exported to France as F-GFLB.  Her registration was cancelled on 2/18/15 due to the expiration of her certificate of airworthiness (COA).

Photo 1.  Waiting for the fuel truck.

Photo 2.  Fueling.

Photo 3.  Ready for flight.

Photo 4.  Liftoff.

8/1/98, Hanscom AFB, Bedford, MA. "Albatross 1 of 2"

8/1/98, Hanscom AFB, Bedford, MA. "Albatross 1 of 2"

Grumman HU-16C N7026Y (Bu. No. 137921, c/n 394) looking sharp on static display.

Unfortunately, N7026Y crashed in Mexico on 4/14/03 taking the lives of all three on board. The NTSB summary can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/N7026Y-crash

8/1/98, Hanscom AFB, Bedford, MA. "Albatross 2 of 2"

8/1/98, Hanscom AFB, Bedford, MA. "Albatross 2 of 2"

There were two HU-16's at Hanscom on 8/1/98. Grumman HU-16B N85303 (51-5303, c/n 186) is seen here in an authentic-looking, 50's-vintage Air Rescue Service paint scheme. (That's the nose of HU-16C N7026Y sticking into the frame from the right.)

As of July 2015, N85303's civil registration is current with the San Diego-based "Greatest Generation Naval Museum"