Warbird Show

Suffering engine failure in a seaplane over southern Arizona quickly presents many challenges.  No water, no wheels, losing altitude, and rough desert terrain below.  Pilot Scott Fitzgerald aimed his seaplane for Willcox Dry Lake.The crew consisted of, pilot Lt. Scott S. Fitzgerald, co-pilot Lt. Robert D. Holbert, navigator Gerald L. McCormick, Joseph Allen Emerson, AMMF1c engineer, Raymond F. Wallmark AMMF3c mechanic, and John Barry Letterman ARM3c radioman.

Hike over lava field to reach Army Air Forces OA-10 crash in New Mexico. Thank you for watching. Please checkout more of my research at www.AerospaceArchaeology.com
Large file, you might consider watching it on Apple Podcast instead of downloading it.

Visiting Bell UH-1D 66-0952 crash site. The Huey crashed on April 26, 1967, south of Tucson, Arizona, in the Santa Rita Mountains. At the time of the crash, the helicopter was on an assignment that was part of Project Cloud Gap. Please go to iTunes to download the episode, Huey crash on iTunes. Thanks for watching the podcast. View more research at Aerospace Archaeology.This episode was recorded on an old cassette tape.

Visiting North American AT-6 crash site. The aircraft crashed on December 24, 1942, east of Tucson, Arizona, in the Rincon Mountains. William James Watters was killed in the crash. Watters was one of many British cadets training at Falcon Field, Mesa, AZ, during WWII.Thanks for watching this video podcast. www.AerospaceArchaeology.comwww.MadeInArizona.comhttp://www.aerospacearchaeology.com/at-6-unknown-serial-number-crash-into-rincon-mountains-arizona-on-december-24-1942.html

Conversation with David McCurry about aerospace archaeology in the Pacific Northwest. Dave authored two books, Aircraft Wrecks of the Pacific Northwest volumes 1 and 2. Wrecks we discuss in this podcast include a DC-9, B-18, and a Lancaster. Thanks for listening. Thanks to www.MadeInArizona.comYou can find me at www.AerospaceArchaeology.com

Visiting Vultee BT-13A, 42-1395, crash in Catalina Mountains on July 9, 1943.Instructor Lowell V. Wright and Chinese aviation cadet Ming Chuan Chwei took off from Avra Auxiliary Field on the morning of July 9, 1943, for a routine flight. Avra Auxiliary Field was one of the many auxiliary fields associated with the larger Marana Army Air Field. Shortly after 10am, the plane crashed below Mt. Lemmon killing both occupants. Wreckage was located two days later. The Army Air Forces conducted an investigation with the hypothesis, “the instructor in the front cockpit had gone to sleep while the student was flying under the hood.” Due to a few forest fires, erosion, flash flood, and dead trees falling on the wreck, a lot has changed at the crash site over the last few decades. Thanks for listening. Like what you hear? Feel free to click the PayPal button and support the show. You can also view more or my work at www.AerospaceArchaeology.comhttp://www.aerospacearchaeology.com/vutee-bt-13a-42-1395-crash-in-santa-catalina-mountains-tucson-arizona-on-july-9-1943.htmlPlease visit www.MadeInArizona.com.

Visiting McDonnell-Douglas RF-4B Bureau Number 153098, crash on October 22, 1975.The men took off from El Toro on a photo reconnaissance mission. When the mission was over, they started to head back to El Toro until departure of controlled flight. 1st. Lt. Robert M. Bach was killed in the crash. Captain Robert Anderson successfully ejected. Thanks for listening. Like what you hear? Feel free to click the PayPal button and support the show.Please visit www.MadeInArizona.comand www.AerospaceArchaeology.comhttp://www.aerospacearchaeology.com/rf-4-153098-crash-east-of-parker-arizona-on-october-22-1975.html

Two F-86s from Davis-Monthan’s 15th Fighter Interceptor Squadron collide over the Catalina Mountains.  Both pilots successfully bailed out. F-86D, 52-3623, crashed into the Catalina Mountains. The other F-86 righted itself after the pilot bailed out and flew east until it ran out of fuel and crashed in New Mexico. Much of the debris from 52-3623 is located off the Butterfly Trail. Opps, at one point in podcast I accidentally say this is F-86 52-3605, that’s incorrect.Thanks to www.MadeInArizona.com, please buy local. http://www.aerospacearchaeology.com/f-86d-52-3623-crash-15-miles-northeast-of-tucson-az-on-july-8-1957.htmlMy other research can be found at www.AerospaceArchaeology.com

Lieutenant (jg) R.F. Miller was ferrying a General Motors built FM-2 “Wildcat,” BuNo 16012, from Big Springs, TX, to San Diego, on January 13, 1944.  Lt. (jg) Miller passed over Vail, AZ, and was preparing to land at the Consolidated airport (now known as Tucson International Airport) when his engine died. Please visit www.MadeInArizona.com and 
www.AerospaceArchaeology.comhttp://www.aerospacearchaeology.com/fm-2-16012-crash-near-vail-az-on-january-13-1944.html

Boeing B-47E, 52-0320, crash into Santa Rita Mountains. I’m taking you on a virtual hike as we visit a B-47 crash site south of Tucson. B-47E, 52-0320, crashed on April 4, 1959, at approximately 1:20am killing all three men onboard. The plane was preparing to land when it crashed into the north side of the Santa Rita Mountains.Killed in the crash:Major Kermit Alan WagnerLt. Thomas A. WilkieLt. Richard L. Anderson (possibly Richard L. Andersen)Yes, pressing play in the blank black box will open up the video podcast. Please visit www.MadeInArizona.com and www.AerospaceArchaeology.comhttp://www.aerospacearchaeology.com/b-47e-52-0320-crash-south-of-tucson-arizona-on-april-4-1959.html

Congressional Candidate, Martha McSally, first female pilot to fly in combat and first female to command a fighter squadron, joins me for this episode of Warbird Show. Colonel McSally is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. She's an A-10 pilot with 325 combat hours. She also has a Masters degree in Public Policy from Harvard. You can learn more about Martha McSally by visiting www.MarthaMcSally.com or www.McSallyForCongress.comThanks to www.MadeInArizona.com for their support of Warbird Show. You can find more of my work at www.AerospaceArchaeology.com

Warbird Show host Chris McDoniel talks with G. Pat Macha from www.aircraftwrecks.com. Pat is an aviation historian and co-author of Aircraft Wrecks In the Desert and Mountains of California, 1909-2002, 3rd edition. Topics on the show include Gertrude Tompkins, missing while flying P-51D, 44-15669, on October 26, 1944. Leonard Lydon's missing P-40, 39-194, October 24, 1941, and Pat's upcoming fourth edition of his book, Aircraft Wrecks In the Desert and Mountains of California.Photos courtesy of G. Pat Macha:Pat on hike.Book cover: Aircraft Wrecks In the Desert and Mountains of California, 1909-2002, 3rd edition.Gertrude TompkinsPat at PT-17 crash sitePA-28 crash photosYou can find more of my work at www.AerospaceArchaeology.comThis episode sponsored by:www.LuckyScreenCloth.comwww.MadeInArizona.com

TB-25J-30, 44-31183, crashes southeast of Will Rogers Field on January 29, 1946. Hear how Jeff Wilkinson from Oklahoma Wreckchasing, www.okwreckchasing.org, was able to track down the crash site and connect with a relative of the Flight Engineer. We also talk about Will Rogers Field (Will Rogers World Airport) and Jeff's current research projects. TB-25J crew:Pilot, Lt. Colonel Robert R. SmithCo-Pilot, Lt. Colonel Duane W. BeesonFlight Engineer, Raymond D. ShepherdMishap report courtesy: U.S. Air ForceOther crash photos and aerial photo courtesy: Jeff WilkinsonYou can find more of my work at www.AerospaceArchaeology.comThis episode sponsored by:www.MadeInArizona.comNote: This episode completed via Apple's iChat.

B-24H was on a flight from Phoenix, Arizona, to Midland, Texas on March 18, 1944. While traveling over the Catalina Mountains, the plane encountered severe weather and attempted to return to Phoenix. According to the AAF mishap report, “there was moderate turbulence, probably hail and icing conditions in the area at the time. Pilot was at too low an altitude and either during or immediately after his turn clipped the left rudder, and probably the underside of the fuselage on a peak, knocking the left rudder completely off the plane...The plane careened on down a canyon finally losing the right wing outer panel, at which time it turned over and struck anther peak with the top of the fuselage. Fatally injured:Judson T. HolmesRandolph AspinwallJames P. SmithMerle O. NorlieLloyd G. KadelWilliam A. ScullyI.RybinskyHarlin S. DarbyHoward W. BinneCharles BishopThis episode brought to you by www.MadeInOhio.com
www.MadeInArizona.com © 2011 Chris McDonielwww.AerospaceArchaeology.com

Warbird Show Host Chris McDoniel talks with Mike McComb about the tragic mid-air collision over Grand Canyon between a TWA Constellation, N6902C, and a United Air Lines DC-7, N6324C, on June 30, 1956. A total of 128 people died in the crash. There were no survivors. We'll hear about Mike's research, search, and hike to the crash site.Photos courtesy of Mike McComb, www.lostflights.org, NPS, and NAU. Newspaper articles are from the Arizona Republic and Arizona Daily Sun (Flagstaff paper). Drawing of the crash site was from Mel Hunter, Life Magazine, April 1957.Find Chris at www.WarbirdShow.com or www.AerospaceArchaeology.comThis episode sponsored by:www.MadeInArizona.com

Visit to the Tillamook Air Museum to talk with Christian Gurling, Museum Curator, about SB2C-5, BuNo 83414, Helldiver that crashed Northwest of Tillamook on March 31, 1948. Pilot Robert Smedley was the only occupant. He was fatally injured in the crash. Hanger photos provided by Tillamook Air Museum. P-38 photo by Atshushi "Fred" FujimoriHelldiver wreckage photo by JPACDuring the show, I reference the museum's "Grumman Wildcat." Their version is a General Motors FM-2 Wildcat.This episode sponsored by:www.LuckyScreenCloth.comwww.MadeInArizona.com

Here we go! Welcome to the show broadcasting from an abandon auxiliary field somewhere South of Gila Bend. Take a journey with me as we connect with historical aviation events. If you want to connect with the past, this is the first step. In this show, you'll learn a little about me and the show. You have to start some place and this is it. I'm always looking for original crash photos, information about crash sites, or story ideas, so if you have information, please contact me. View more of my work at www.AerospaceArchaeology.comThis episode sponsored by:www.MadeInArizona.com