planesofthepast From United States of America, joined Nov 2012, 14 posts, RR: 0 Posted (6 months 4 days ago) and read 2767 times:
I had the privilege of visiting the Tinker Air Force Base museum in Oklahoma City last week. The Charles B. Hall Airpark showcases 9 military aircraft with historical connections to the base. Included are the B-29 Superfortress, B-47 Stratojet, B-52 Stratofortress, B-1B Lancer, C-135, C-47 Skytrain, A-7 Corsair, F-105, and the F-4 Phantom II.
In addition to the static aircraft displays, there are a number of excellent sculptures on display, including the Tuskegee Airman Charles B. Hall and Rosie the Riveter. There is also a Prisoner of War Memorial, Medal of Honor Memorial, and a plaque about the first tornado forecast, issued at Tinker AFB on March 25, 1948.
The airpark is highly recommended! We salute the Tinker AFB personnel and local civic leaders who have built, and maintain, this excellent facility.
txjim From United States of America, joined May 2008, 197 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (6 months 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 2767 times:
Thanks for the information! I've had the privilege of visiting Tinker for work-related activities over the last few months and have never had the opportunity to stop and visit. The aircraft are an impressive sight when driving along 29th.
KC135TopBoom From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 11705 posts, RR: 52 Reply 2, posted (6 months 3 days 19 hours ago) and read 2766 times:
I haven't been there in several years, but looking at the pictures it looks like they are all sun bleached. Do they staill have the EC-121 Connie? BTW, the C-135 is actually a former VC-135B.
FlyingSicilian From Croatia, joined Mar 2009, 823 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (6 months 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 2766 times:
Quoting KC135TopBoom (Reply 2): I haven't been there in several years, but looking at the pictures it looks like they are all sun bleached. Do they staill have the EC-121 Connie? BTW, the C-135 is actually a former VC-135B.
There is an EC inside near the 552 ACW hqs. It is supposedly a former navy bird dressed up in Air Force paint but I don't know if that is true. There is also a monumnet near the EC to the Yukla E-3 Alaska crash.
There used to be a T-38 on stick near the Oklahoma tourist welcome center on the north side of the interstate also. Not sure if it still there. I haven't been there in a couple of months.
taxpilot From United States of America, joined Sep 2006, 85 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (6 months 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 2766 times:
Quoting FlyingSicilian (Reply 3): There is an EC inside near the 552 ACW hqs. It is supposedly a former navy bird dressed up in Air Force paint but I don't know if that is true.
All of our ECs in the 552nd at McClellan in the 1970s were former Navy birds.
planesofthepast From United States of America, joined Nov 2012, 14 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (6 months 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 2766 times:
The Airpark is free and accessible to the general public. It is located just outside the Air Depot Boulevard gate on the north side of the base, at exit 157 on Interstate 40 in Oklahoma City. The park is generally open from dawn to dusk. Parking is provided.
777222LR From United States of America, joined Feb 2012, 104 posts, RR: 1 Reply 7, posted (6 months 1 day 18 hours ago) and read 2766 times:
I'm from OKC, and have family in Eastern Oklahoma. When driving east I-40 to visit them, I always love seeing all those old birds lined up along I-40. Pretty impressive! Though, in my 32 years here, aside from college and living abroad, I've never really visited Tinker for anything other than the occasional air show. Maybe I'll head down sometime!
AWACSooner From United States of America, joined Jan 2008, 1415 posts, RR: 1 Reply 8, posted (6 months 5 hours ago) and read 2762 times:
Quoting FlyingSicilian (Reply 3): There used to be a T-38 on stick near the Oklahoma tourist welcome center on the north side of the interstate also. Not sure if it still there. I haven't been there in a couple of months.
Yep...still there...I drive past it every day when I go to lunch off base.
rfields5421 From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 6140 posts, RR: 25 Reply 9, posted (6 months 5 hours ago) and read 2762 times:
Quoting taxpilot (Reply 5): Quoting FlyingSicilian (Reply 3):There is an EC inside near the 552 ACW hqs. It is supposedly a former navy bird dressed up in Air Force paint but I don't know if that is true.
All of our ECs in the 552nd at McClellan in the 1970s were former Navy birds.
Yes - the Tinker bird never served with the USAF until it arrived at Tinker. Here is its history.
I like it because it is the closest EC to me so I can show my grandchildren an aircraft like the ones I flew upon off the coasts of Vietnam, China, North Korea and the USSR.
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