Our Aircraft
An L4-F, a PT-22 and soon,
a repaired C-53D Sky Trooper
Our PT 22 Flies
!!!
Updated May 18, 2005
See below
Cols. Phil Simpson and Richard Colton standing in front of our L-4F. The L-4F was the military designation for the 3-place Piper J-5 Cub Cruiser. During WWII several J-5s were inducted in to the Army Air Force and given the designation of "L-4F." Some were used as glider pilot trainers. Our L-4F is depicted in an early 1942 paint scheme.
|
Here are some photos taken on Sept. 9 at Flebob, when the wings were put back on. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
March 19, 2004: Richard flies the L-4 back to Riverside!! |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
In August of 2001, our beautiful Ryan
PT-22 suffered an "off-field" landing near Camarillo, CA. No injuries;
however, the plane was significantly damaged. It is currently being
repaired - and will be back in the air - "looking better than ever!" according to
Col. Doug Schuster, seen here in the front seat, with Col. Richard Colton at the
controls. This photo was taken at Gillespie Field in San Diego.
|
Update:
April 22, 2005 - Here's the latest from "news from the front.........sat afternoon at somewhere just before beer thirty, the statement was made..."aint no reason this sob shouldn't fire.........so, what are we doing just standing here looking at it..." so, out "it" went, and reluctantly, after a 4 year hibernation...........it fired.........stubborn, cranky, and little unsure of "itself".........but seemingly eager to live again..........with rags and screwdrivers, and opinions aplenty, adjustments were made and we fired it again.....not much better, "it" was pissed off at the anxious interruption .................so, we let "it" sit overnight, and when nobody was looking "adjusted some more stuff......(some beer for medicinal purposes, .....the strain of it all..............), ah, but the promise of a new day....."contact"...."switch on"......"cracked, brakes..." ..... on just the second pull, with just the hint of insecurity...."it" fired with eagerness....almost excited to be a machine again.....no doubt a new attitude was erupting from within...........all the vitals, perfect.....and the smoke, that glorious blue smoke....a vibration in the controls just sitting there that could tell stories..........and the sound, what can I say, "aint no sound like KINNER round."...............bushwacker........ |
May 18, 2005 And from "Bushwacker" Schuster : "flew well..........were 4 flights down and no squawks.......at least any major ones......terry finally got to complete the flight he started 3.5 yrs ago.........know that it was a big relief to him...."mission completed" kind of thing.........cant tell you how excited i was to push the "go kinner, go" lever and return to a place that only an open cockpit can take you...........terry's first landing was so smooth it surprised him...mine reminded me of why i love this old plane so much.....we are inching our way deeper into the envelope, have some minor adjustments to make.......not so sure about this prop......but i am sure it has some tricks to teach us, so will go with it for awhile...........looks better than it ever has........and flys better than it looks...........if the damn thing could cook and clean, and take out the trash, well, need i say more......? "
Here she is - At the Chino Air Show
2005 - lookin' might pretty!!
Thanks for all your work, Terry and Doug!
Go to "Our C-53 Skytrooper" page to find out the latest about our "newest" airplane!!
 |
|
 |
|
|
Copyright © Commemorative Air Force, Inc. except as otherwise marked. All rights reserved.