As part of my research about the A-5 Vigiliante at the Sanford Airport, I found this website: NAS Sanford Memorial. The site has great photos of both the A-5 and PV-1 Ventura restorations, as well as insights of the history of the planes and the base. After the restoration of the PV-1, the group is looking to acquire am A-3D Skywarrior.
I hope to stop in the near future to get some photos of the PV-1 restorations.
Not sure who has taken over the Marketing Department at the Fantasy of Flight Museum, but they are doing one heck of a job. The eNews emails have been coming out again as well spot announcements about is going on at the museum. Whomever you are, keep up the great work!
In the latest eNews, the following was added:
“Secrets from the Maintenance Hangar
(The large white building across the field)
We all know that Allison engines are legendary for getting airplanes off the ground. Now the engines themselves are finally off the ground. The Fantasy of Flight Aircraft Department have just constructed massive pallet racks (civilians call them “shelves”) that have lifted 24 factory-fresh (60-plus years ago) Allisons off the ground—creating much needed floor space for more airplane maintenance. Check this space next month for further aircraft maintenance adventures. (Rumor has it that the Polikarpov 2 will be taking wing soon, but let’s keep that between us…)”
Lets hope that the Po-2 takes to the air soon.
American Aero Services has updated photos on their website detailing the restoration of the A-36 Apache and the P-51 Mustang.
My son and I travelled up to Sanford to see the North American A-5 Vigilante on display at the Sanford International Airport, which at one point was known as the Sanford Naval Air Station.The A-5 is BuNo 156632 and is displayed as an aircraft from RVAH-3. The aircraft came from China Lake.
Hope you enjoy the photo spread. Stills can be found here.
This past weekend, the family and I traveled up to New Symrna Beach to visit American Aero Services during one of their Open Hangar Day, in which the shop is open for people to walk around and see the restoration and maintenance work that they are doing. The Collings Foundation has selected American Aero as their vendor of choice to do maintenance on their B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator, B-25 Mitchell, F4U-5NL Corsair and P-51C Mustang. The Collings Foundation is also restoring a A-36A Apache at American Aero.
Also being restored at American Aero for Shelby Burch is N5444V, P-51 Mustang.
There was a Grumman TBM Avenger, N452A, in attendance as well, getting maintenance.
The balding red-headed guy with the blonde 2 year old are us. The wife was taking photos.
