Two very different old ladys
09-20-2008 | 02:12 PM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: B744 FO
Flagship Detroit used to be based in VBW (Bridgewater, VA) as a dedicated Sprayer
(Gypsy Moth, Mosquito, Med Fly). It had extra windows just aft of the pilot's
side-windows, allowing a pilot to see the engine and wing and spray pattern on the
OPPOSITE side of the aircraft. The hydlaulic reservior was moved back to the main
cabin, and wall right behind the pilot seats removed, making a large, almost
727-sized cockpit. A wonderful sprayplane, if a bit under-powered with 1200 hp
Wrights; but a gentleman's sprayer, without the cramped crash-cage and helmets, and
the convenience of being able to get up and have a sandwich and a leak between spray
blocks.
The owner had the desire that it be restored someday (by others), so had long narrow
spray tanks built that could be slipped through the small right-side passenger door,
rather than cutting it open. He also had a set of original seats, and overhead hat/coat racks.
Most of my (meager) DC-3 time is in that airplane.
The American Airline Museum basement photo archive has a cool picture of it in a
crowded hangar getting an overhaul, with someone about half-finished polishing it
from dull to mirror-finish. I've also seen a picture of it in its heyday in an
air-to-air early AA color publicity photo against blue sky and cumulus.
And in another book of Vintage airline posters, it's in an AA poster titled "West
With the Night".
And lastly, I saw it in an aerial photo parked in Boston Common!!, in the
mid-Thirties, being shown to the public. (Not as many trees there then, I guess.)
As one could guess, I really miss it.
(Gypsy Moth, Mosquito, Med Fly). It had extra windows just aft of the pilot's
side-windows, allowing a pilot to see the engine and wing and spray pattern on the
OPPOSITE side of the aircraft. The hydlaulic reservior was moved back to the main
cabin, and wall right behind the pilot seats removed, making a large, almost
727-sized cockpit. A wonderful sprayplane, if a bit under-powered with 1200 hp
Wrights; but a gentleman's sprayer, without the cramped crash-cage and helmets, and
the convenience of being able to get up and have a sandwich and a leak between spray
blocks.
The owner had the desire that it be restored someday (by others), so had long narrow
spray tanks built that could be slipped through the small right-side passenger door,
rather than cutting it open. He also had a set of original seats, and overhead hat/coat racks.
Most of my (meager) DC-3 time is in that airplane.
The American Airline Museum basement photo archive has a cool picture of it in a
crowded hangar getting an overhaul, with someone about half-finished polishing it
from dull to mirror-finish. I've also seen a picture of it in its heyday in an
air-to-air early AA color publicity photo against blue sky and cumulus.
And in another book of Vintage airline posters, it's in an AA poster titled "West
With the Night".
And lastly, I saw it in an aerial photo parked in Boston Common!!, in the
mid-Thirties, being shown to the public. (Not as many trees there then, I guess.)
As one could guess, I really miss it.
06-10-2009 | 02:16 PM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: B744 FO
06-15-2009 | 07:33 PM
#17
Line Holder
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Alaska 737 FO
Hey GM, what are you up to these days?? I remember flying with you in Los Al. You were doing part time Medfly, part time something in at Hawker???
Flagship Detroit used to be based in VBW (Bridgewater, VA) as a dedicated Sprayer
(Gypsy Moth, Mosquito, Med Fly). It had extra windows just aft of the pilot's
side-windows, allowing a pilot to see the engine and wing and spray pattern on the
OPPOSITE side of the aircraft. The hydlaulic reservior was moved back to the main
cabin, and wall right behind the pilot seats removed, making a large, almost
727-sized cockpit. A wonderful sprayplane, if a bit under-powered with 1200 hp
Wrights; but a gentleman's sprayer, without the cramped crash-cage and helmets, and
the convenience of being able to get up and have a sandwich and a leak between spray
blocks.
The owner had the desire that it be restored someday (by others), so had long narrow
spray tanks built that could be slipped through the small right-side passenger door,
rather than cutting it open. He also had a set of original seats, and overhead hat/coat racks.
Most of my (meager) DC-3 time is in that airplane.
The American Airline Museum basement photo archive has a cool picture of it in a
crowded hangar getting an overhaul, with someone about half-finished polishing it
from dull to mirror-finish. I've also seen a picture of it in its heyday in an
air-to-air early AA color publicity photo against blue sky and cumulus.
And in another book of Vintage airline posters, it's in an AA poster titled "West
With the Night".
And lastly, I saw it in an aerial photo parked in Boston Common!!, in the
mid-Thirties, being shown to the public. (Not as many trees there then, I guess.)
As one could guess, I really miss it.
(Gypsy Moth, Mosquito, Med Fly). It had extra windows just aft of the pilot's
side-windows, allowing a pilot to see the engine and wing and spray pattern on the
OPPOSITE side of the aircraft. The hydlaulic reservior was moved back to the main
cabin, and wall right behind the pilot seats removed, making a large, almost
727-sized cockpit. A wonderful sprayplane, if a bit under-powered with 1200 hp
Wrights; but a gentleman's sprayer, without the cramped crash-cage and helmets, and
the convenience of being able to get up and have a sandwich and a leak between spray
blocks.
The owner had the desire that it be restored someday (by others), so had long narrow
spray tanks built that could be slipped through the small right-side passenger door,
rather than cutting it open. He also had a set of original seats, and overhead hat/coat racks.
Most of my (meager) DC-3 time is in that airplane.
The American Airline Museum basement photo archive has a cool picture of it in a
crowded hangar getting an overhaul, with someone about half-finished polishing it
from dull to mirror-finish. I've also seen a picture of it in its heyday in an
air-to-air early AA color publicity photo against blue sky and cumulus.
And in another book of Vintage airline posters, it's in an AA poster titled "West
With the Night".
And lastly, I saw it in an aerial photo parked in Boston Common!!, in the
mid-Thirties, being shown to the public. (Not as many trees there then, I guess.)
As one could guess, I really miss it.
