Gate Guards and Base Displays (not museums)

[oman]

Found this jet (panther?) off Highway 15 near Union, MS.  Where is Union, MS? I believe it is northwest of Meridian.  I was kinda lost and was rewarded with this prize!

[UK_Tomcat_Fan]

Navy Museum @ Pensacola

Haven't even been inside the museum yet.

they could at least put the Hornet on the ground the right way round....

[BillF]

I believe the tour guide said this was Tomcat # LAST (last one built):



Don't know what it is, but it was getting painted outside:

[WARPEE]

WOW! A P-5 Marlin, I believe! Good find, Bill!

[Jon H.]

I believe the tour guide said this was Tomcat # LAST (last one built):

The last Tomcat built is a Gate Guard at NAS Oceana.  AJ-204 was the last Tomcat to fly a combat mission.

[BillF]

WOW! A P-5 Marlin, I believe! Good find, Bill!

I should have taken notes. Thanks for figuring this one out. Our tour guide said there was one aircraft that Howard Hughes used to own and used (briefly) for Spruce Goose pilot training. Think this was it?

Thanks for the Tomcat clarification, Jon.

[oman]

Our tour guide said

Did you take the bus tour of the aircraft on the tarmac or did you get the opportunity to take the tour of the restoration hanger?  The last few times I've been to Pensacola, I've haven't been able to schedule the hanger tour.  Thats one thing that I look forward to doing in the future.

Thanks

[Bill Kistler]

"I should have taken notes. Thanks for figuring this one out. Our tour guide said there was one aircraft that Howard Hughes used to own and used (briefly) for Spruce Goose pilot training. Think this was it?"

Don't think it could be the Marlin, wasn't produce until two years after the Goose flew.

Bill.

[VFA-203 KMGE Guy]

The last Tomcat built is a Gate Guard at NAS Oceana.  AJ-204 was the last Tomcat to fly a combat mission.

Vandy 

Adam
"VFA-203 Forever"
12/21/70-10/04/06 - The End, Baby...!

[BillF]

Did you take the bus tour of the aircraft on the tarmac or did you get the opportunity to take the tour of the restoration hanger?...
Thanks

The Spruce Goose trainer must be in the restoration hangar then.

I took the bus tour which included the restoration hangar. It is my understanding that if you take the first tour (10:30), that is the one and only tour that includes the restoration hangar. When the bus stopped, we were escorted into the hangar...it's their lunch time so you can mill around without stepping on anyone.

[brncofan2]

Man, it' sad to see the old Fat Albert like that.  It was with the team when I was there...was my ride to alot of airshow in 2002.  It's only been gone since '03....looks like it's been there for ages.

[BillF]

Man, it' sad to see the old Fat Albert like that.  It was with the team when I was there...was my ride to alot of airshow in 2002.  It's only been gone since '03....looks like it's been there for ages.

I did not take a picture of it, but don't fret, they are working on it, too. When I took the picture of it several weeks ago, it was parked where the Marlin is now. Fat Albert is now front and center, front of the restoration hangar. I saw a guy with an electric buffer putting the shine back on it. You'll be able to point with pride to it again soon, I'm sure.

[kwbarnes]

Found this jet (panther?) off Highway 15 near Union, MS.  Where is Union, MS? I believe it is northwest of Meridian.  I was kinda lost and was rewarded with this prize!

I believe that the aircraft in question is a F9F-6 or later Grumman Cougar. That is the swept wing varient of the F9F Panther.

[oman]

Former Gate Guard at NAS JRB New Orleans, this F11F Tiger is now located at St. John Airport, Reserve, LA.  It was moved from Belle Chasse to Reserve after being replaced by an F/A 18 Hornet at the main entrance to NASJRBNO 

According to a web site I found, (http://www.blueangels.org/Aircraft/Stick/F11/SCane/Stickm4_2.htm)  this Blue Angel Tiger had to belly land at NASJRBNO during a airshow. 

It looks pretty beat up, has some panels missing and could use some TLC. 
 

[CAVU Mark]

Townsville, Queensland, Australia.  Neptune A89-272.  I tried to get in to interview the RAAF and the first call to someone in the know resulted in such a friendly response (you know, "no worries, mate") I thought, "Yeah I'm in", only to have them shut me down via email.  This P-2 commemorates the long standing association between the No. 10 Squadron of the RAAF station and the people of Townsville.  RAAF #10 is a Surveillance & Response Group dating back to July 1939.   Townsvillle was a huge staging area for both Aussies and Americans in WWII.

Official Townsville RAAF website: http://www.defence.gov.au/raaf/bases/townsville/index.htm