B-17 and P-63 King Cobra gone for ever

[GLMFAA1]

My condolences to all the families and to the aviation community for this loss.

As a side, this was the first wok movement I saw and heard about as it went from Confederate Air Force to Commemorative Air Force.

Just like 'Smokey the Bear' changing from forest fires to wildfires.

greg 

[RSchnell]

23 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

Reno has been having much diminished warbird turnouts over the past few years too.

Hard to believe you could buy a fully functional WW II surplus fighter after the war for about the cost of a 10-year old Toyota today.

B-17s were sold out of Kingman, Az. for the value of the fuel in their tanks in some cases, then cut up and melted down for scrap on the spot.

There was a series of articles in Air Classics magazine years ago that covered the very thing you describe. Acres & acres of aircraft. The articles were well illustrated with photos from the Bill Larkins collection who spent many days in the Kingman disposal depot taking photographs. Fascinating reading.

[Ace-Garageguy]

25 minutes ago, RSchnell said:

...Acres & acres of aircraft...

Edited November 17, 2022 by Ace-Garageguy

[imarriedawitch]

Acres and acres outside of Tucson. Looks to be a little of everything.

Edited November 17, 2022 by imarriedawitch

[stavanzer]

That is the 309th AMARG, at Davis-Monthan AFB. That is where they store many current Airframes, awaiting either recycling or as parts for others.

The place is absolutely fascinating. I got to go through it on a guided tour back in the day.

[TonyK]

All those B17's bring a smile to me but also realizing what happened to them is sad; but I understand with the times.

[NYLIBUD]

Yea that was pretty tragic.I heard about it on the news first.Condolences to the families of the deceased people involved.Thankfully no one on the ground was injured or killed.?

[SSNJim]

What bothers me is all those B-52s chopped up in the last picture. I understand arms talks and the like, but it's disturbing to see the outcome.

[stavanzer]

Many of those B-52's have been that way for over 35 years. I saw some of them in 1985.

The intact airframes provide parts to the current fleet.

(In fact, the USAF "re-generates" one of the lower time planes every now and then) 

[Ace-Garageguy]

PRELIM. NTSB REPORT

 

 

[BlackSheep214]

Interesting findings of this investigation. Now that I had a better understanding of what happened, I don’t fault the pilot of the P-63 anymore. The air boss is 100% the blame. I am curious on how much experience this air boss has under his belt. 

Thanks for posting this, Ace.

[Dave Van]

It may be the Air Boss' fault......but still a tragic loss of life and history. I feel for the Air Boss too.....not sure I could  live with that.