Richard W. Baker, 2006-03-12 00:00:00 |
| I co-owned this plane with John Brinkerhoff about 28 years ago. We bought it from a man named Armiger on the east coast and flew to the west coast where we kept it at Compton airport. When we bought it it was in civilian livery but had almost stock military radio and instruments. We stripped it and painted it in Air Force training command colors with the TA 577 "buzz" number. I have seen pictures of it several times since and talked to the Bolins who owned it before Chuck Yeager damaged it. I would like to know if it is flying again.
From the records that we had with the airplane it was originally an A model that was rebuilt in 1953 and upgraded to a G model. I believe the year built date is incorrect. I think it was built long before 1958. It was a good flying airplane. |
Richard W. Baker, 2008-05-14 00:00:00 |
| This aircraft was wrecked a few years ago by Chuck Yeager, when the then owner, allowed him to fly it with his new wife. He ran off the runway on landing and wiped out the landing gear and one wing. He was unhurt but the airplane was written off. I have since heard that is its being rebuilt in Mena, Arkansas. |