Boeing KC-97L Stratocruiser cockpit.

MikeD

MikeD

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One busy place. Pilot, co-pilot, Navigator, Flight Engineer, Boom Operator/Loadmaster. The FE has a separate set of throttles from the pilots, and also has the mixtures and props. Does the engines starts, based on the engine control switch locations. Navigator station is cool too.

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Clay Lacy was trying to get an ex-firebomber C-97 airworthy a few years ago, last I heard the whole project was tied up in civil court with people suing each other. My first thought when I heard about it was 224 spark plugs that will definitely need either inspection or replacement. I think he just wanted to bring one back to Van Nuys, it was a AG base way back when.
 
knot4u said:
Clay Lacy was trying to get an ex-firebomber C-97 airworthy a few years ago, last I heard the whole project was tied up in civil court with people suing each other. My first thought when I heard about it was 224 spark plugs that will definitely need either inspection or replacement. I think he just wanted to bring one back to Van Nuys, it was a AG base way back when.
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I think he was looking to get 1355N, the old Hawkins and Powers bird from Wyoming
 
There is a KC-97 on display at the AMC museum at Dover AFB. I had the priviledge of poking around in, I may have some pictures of that, somewhere. Truly a unique look at the past.
 
MikeD said:
I think he was looking to get 1355N, the old Hawkins and Powers bird from Wyoming
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Story I heard was he bought two, hoping to get one flying and paint "windows" on it so it would look like a United Stratocruiser. Haven't heard anything about it for a long time. I'd like to see one operate, I have zero desire to be involved.
 
knot4u said:
Story I heard was he bought two, hoping to get one flying and paint "windows" on it so it would look like a United Stratocruiser. Haven't heard anything about it for a long time. I'd like to see one operate, I have zero desire to be involved.
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i vaguely remember these at KPHX when the Air Guard operated them there, which would’ve included this one too, before the KC-135As replaces them in 1978. I have an old picture of me at PHXs long-gone Terminal 1, where you walked out to the aircraft to board up the stairs, in front of a Hughes Air West 727, and in the background is the ANG base across runway 8R/26L to the south, with KC-97Ls parked on the ramp.
 
Cal Goat said:
Where's the ash tray? I thought everyone was smoking back then.



I've had lunch there! It was very mediocre as I recall. But the ambiance certainly made up for the food.
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Yeah it wasn’t awful, it just wasn’t what I want to waste my time/money on to eat. I can see airplanes without my dinner being directly involved in the matter. Particularly not in the Springs where going 3 miles up powers outside you with a whole lot of better options for food/drink.

Same is true for trains with my kids. Oh cool we get to eat in an old dinning car.... and we’re eating chicken fingers.


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Lawman said:
Yeah it wasn’t awful, it just wasn’t what I want to waste my time/money on to eat. I can see airplanes without my dinner being directly involved in the matter. Particularly not in the Springs where going 3 miles up powers outside you with a whole lot of better options for food/drink.

Same is true for trains with my kids. Oh cool we get to eat in an old dinning car.... and we’re eating chicken fingers.

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Damn ... I like chicken fingers and trains.
 
Lawman said:
Yeah it wasn’t awful, it just wasn’t what I want to waste my time/money on to eat. I can see airplanes without my dinner being directly involved in the matter. Particularly not in the Springs where going 3 miles up powers outside you with a whole lot of better options for food/drink.

Same is true for trains with my kids. Oh cool we get to eat in an old dinning car.... and we’re eating chicken fingers.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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If nothing else, I'm willing to toss a few bucks at any effort to save classic aluminum from the scrapyard. Even if it's just living out its days as below average restaurant.
 
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