Anything interesting in Ga?

[jmkendal]

I am going to be stationed at Ft Gordon for the next six months. Is there anything interesting to see in that part of the world?

Joe

[gary1954]

Greetings, Augusta is a pretty cool city....Look around while youre there.
Pick up I-75 South and visit the museum at Warner Robins AFB. Not actually on the base, just down the block. B-29/25/p-51 A-26 stuff like we like to see.
If you can get to Dekalb County, see if you can get on the ramp at Peachtree Dekalb, also known as PDK. once in a while you can catch a couple of P-51s flyin the pattern.
There are some aircraft (jets) on display at Dobbins AFB (also a B-29 if they'll let you take a picture of it)
A B-29 some jets and a Huey at the Georgia Veterans Memorial Park west of Cordele.
Warbirds (unknown) being rebuilt in Douglas, Ga. Tom Reilly's B-25 is based there, a few more around Woodstock (fill you in on those when ever I can get up there). Small airports don't offer a lot, but ya gotta look. As far as catch your attention, ....*looks around* not a lot. At least not down around Columbus, Ga. Good Luck...you see something cool, please let me know.

[jmkendal]

Gary,

Thanks!

I will have lots of weekends! After 28 years in Army Aviation I am reclassing in Satalite Communications.

I might be able to get a picture of that B-29. I have found that a Military ID card and a talk to the nice folks at the gate ( or sometimes the PAO) does wonders for ones ablity to take pictures on post.

Joe

[gary1954]

I retired from the US Army Air Traffic Control Division, Aviation Branch, in 94. 20yrs 6 months 3 days in Aviation, and went to Dobbins with my ID card and approached the dude at the counter of the vehicle registration office to ask the guy how I could get access to the B-29 to take a couple of pictures, as the 29 is behind a fence .
He said I would have to contact the public affairs office to make an appointment. I said uh okay, how about I take a picture of her from the road, and he said, "then you'll have to deal with the police." needless to say I was kinda stunned . I then headed to the LE shack at the main gate, ID card and camera in hand....the guard saw me and held up his hand and yelled "no pictures...no pictures... . Screw it..I left. So, with Dobbins, call the public affairs office and get a letter of authorization for the knuckle heads...the 29 is beautiful. Good Luck .

[jpeters]

Joe,

If your'e interested in weapons I'd highly suggest you visit the U.S. Army Infantry Museum located at Fort Benning, GA which is just outside of Columbus. They have every kind of weapon you can think of on display from the Revolutionary War all the way to the present (both foreign and domestic). They also have a number of military vehicles on display outside. Just be sure to bring a picture I.D. with you because the MP's will likely request to see it before allowing you on post.

John

[gary1954]

Also at Benning near the Jump Towers and Bldg 4 is a C-119 and a C-47 on static display.

[jmkendal]

Hey,

So far I have seen a C-45 on a pole along side I-20 in Augusta, a UH-1V and AH-1F here on base.

A UH- 1H in Lexington that is slowly being stripped. When I visited it wasn't even locked up. Just sitting on a pad next to the VFW. Looked to be fairly intact when delivered, but; you can see where some post arrival stripping has occured. Especially the intrument panel and control grips.

The really odd thing is that the serial number on the side of the bird does NOT match the tail number. Not even close. When I pulled up I saw that she was a short nose. So; I was thinking early "H"; since the Pitot tube was on the top of the cabin I knew she was not a converted "D". So; I was kinda surprised to see a "70" series serial number on the tail. Then looking at the cabin number I see a "68' series serial number; which is more like it.

I guess it was possible that they put an airframe togeather from parts, but; I just don't see that happening. I mean they sometimes take the tail off for transport to a storage yard ( verrrrrry rarely). But; if that were the case then why re-install the torque tubes and control cables as well as all the wiring runs? And; hey, I spent 28 years working on Hueys, so I guess I can give a semi informed opinion on the subject

Just plain weird.

Joe

[hang the expense]

Only 28 years? I will defer to you on all things Huey from now on.Come up to buford georgia sometime and I will show you some interesting things going on here.Ask Gary54.

[jmkendal]

Hang the expense!

Great to hear from you.

I wish I had known sooner. I was in Atlanta last weekend and in Brazelton the weekend before! I tend to leave base on Friday night with a map and a full tank of gas and just go where the whim takes me.

I know I will be your way in the first week of May. There is a Pontiac swap meet in Atlanta that weekend.

If you like, my email address is jmkendall@juno.com

I would LOVE to see what you have up there.

Joe

[Guest]

re: Getting pix from any USAFB.
I have had great success contacting the appropriate public affairs office well in advance, usually in writing, and politely asking permission, being a specific as possible with what I want to shoot, and when I will be there. I always stress the pictures are for my personal use (which they are).
I have always been well received, but sometimes it takes some polite & persistent follow-up on my part to get a response. I am usually well received, well escorted and get all the shots I want.
As with most things in life, please & thank-you goes a long way.
And, be sure to offer to share any B17 and B25 pix you might get with Scott on this site.

[ww2John]

Sorry, forgot to log in.
The previous post was from me.
ww2John

[jdvoss]

You might wish to acquire Mel Shettles' book "Georgia's Army Air Fields of World War II". It would give you some weekend destinations for exploring old airfields. His book has many crisp period photos at each of the bases. It's available at www.airbasebooks.com