Florida Warbird: Grumman TBM-3 Avenger N3969A

Colonel Bob Murphy, USA (ret) was kind enough to send us some photos of his Grumman TBM-3 Avenger BuNo 53757 (N3969A). This aircraft is currently based at Fernandina Beach, FL and the Bob flies to many shows in the Southeast.

Here is a brief history of his plane:

” Built in 1945, Avenger 53787 served on the USS Block Island and later used for fleet training at NAS Jacksonville.  In 1958, 53787 was sold to be a fire bomber, first in Montana and then in Canada until 2008 when It was sold and flown to the US where it has been restored and is flown by Col. Bob Murphy (USA ret.) who in four Vietnam combat tours was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, two Legions of Merit, five  Bronze Stars and 14 Air Medals. “

 

New website layout for American Aero Services

The team over at American Aero Services have updated their website with new pictures and new layout. The site is nicely done. Current projects at their hangar include the A-36 Apache and Stinson L-1.

Here is a picture of the A-36 on its wheels with wings attached.

A-36 on wheels, photo credit American Aero

Combat Veteran C-47 heading to the Fantasy of Flight

The Fantasy of Flight has acquired a flying combat veteran C-47 that participated in D-Day, Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge. This aircraft will be the second combat veteran C-47 in Florida joining the Valiant Air Command’s C-47 “Tico Belle.”

Fantasy of Flight has acquired this combat veteran C-47. Photo credit to Andrew Critchell

N1944A will be flown back from England to the Oshkosh airshow to be displayed for a couple of months before being flown to Florida.

Updates to follow.

Expansion at Fantasy of Flight

This month’s eNewsletter from the Fantasy of Flight folks talks about expansion in the future to allow for more planes and exhibits. Hope that it happens.

And, there is some type of announcement in the works for mid-July.