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An Eisenhower Commander

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barry.collman(at)air-brit
Guest

Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 10:55 am Post subject: An Eisenhower Commander

Hi All,

  

 I've recently found out that the Regional  Military Museum, in Houma, Louisiana are to acquire the last Commander in the  USAF order for 15.

  

 It is a Model 680 (L-26C / U-4B) and was  delivered to the USAF's Military Air Transport Service, 1254th Air Transport  Group, 1298th Air Transport Squadron (Special Missions) on April 11th  1956.

  

 So, this is one of the Commanders almost  certainly used by President Eisenhower from time to time.

 I have given the Museum a suggestion as to a  possible source of logs that might tell if he actually had control on any  flights.

  

 This Commander is being acquired from the  Wedell-Williams Aviation Museum, in Patterson, Louisiana.

  

 Originally, the wings were to be removed  outboard of the nacelles in order to road transport the aircraft to its new  location.

 However, after I told them that is going to  really spoil an important piece of history as, being a one-piece spar they would  have to cut the wings off, they made enquiries and found that they cannot do  that, as they will not be the owner of the Commander.

 My records indicate it is owned by the State of  Louisiana and was donated by them to the Wedell-Williams Museum.

  

 The Regional Military Museum are therefore  seeking some advice on how to proceed with project and I feel sure we have  people who can help.

 Anyone willing to help save a piece of  history?

  

 This Commander's sister-ship is, of course, in  the Presidential hangar at the National Museum of the USAF, at the  Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio, having been faithfully restored and officially  unveiled and dedicated there on July 16th 1998.

  

 Best Regards,

 Barry

    [quote][b]

John Vormbaum

Joined: 21 Aug 2006
Posts: 273
Location: SF Bay Area, CA

Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 11:11 am Post subject: An Eisenhower Commander

Barry,

  

 What is the present condition of the airframe? Does it have  engines?



   From: owner-commander-list-server(at)matronics.com  [mailto:owner-commander-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Barry  Collman

Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 10:54 AM

To:  commander-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: An Eisenhower  Commander

 

 Hi All,

  

 I've recently found out that the Regional  Military Museum, in Houma, Louisiana are to acquire the last Commander in the  USAF order for 15.

  

 It is a Model 680 (L-26C / U-4B) and was  delivered to the USAF's Military Air Transport Service, 1254th Air Transport  Group, 1298th Air Transport Squadron (Special Missions) on April 11th  1956.

  

 So, this is one of the Commanders almost  certainly used by President Eisenhower from time to time.

 I have given the Museum a suggestion as to a  possible source of logs that might tell if he actually had control on any  flights.

  

 This Commander is being acquired from the  Wedell-Williams Aviation Museum, in Patterson, Louisiana.

  

 Originally, the wings were to be removed  outboard of the nacelles in order to road transport the aircraft to its new  location.

 However, after I told them that is going to  really spoil an important piece of history as, being a one-piece spar they would  have to cut the wings off, they made enquiries and found that they cannot do  that, as they will not be the owner of the Commander.

 My records indicate it is owned by the State of  Louisiana and was donated by them to the Wedell-Williams Museum.

  

 The Regional Military Museum are therefore  seeking some advice on how to proceed with project and I feel sure we have  people who can help.

 Anyone willing to help save a piece of  history?

  

 This Commander's sister-ship is, of course, in  the Presidential hangar at the National Museum of the USAF, at the  Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio, having been faithfully restored and officially  unveiled and dedicated there on July 16th 1998.

  

 Best Regards,

 Barry

[quote]



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[b]

barry.collman(at)air-brit
Guest

Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 1:04 pm Post subject: An Eisenhower Commander

Hi John,

  

 From photos I have, that I think were taken  outside the Wedell-Williams Museum, the aircraft is complete, with  engines.

 Condition looks pretty good, but most of the  fuselage is hidden by tarpaulin covers.

 The engines may have been similarly covered, but  the tarpaulin may have been partially removed for the photos, I'm not  sure.

  

 Best Regards,

 Barry

 [quote]   ---

John Vormbaum

Joined: 21 Aug 2006
Posts: 273
Location: SF Bay Area, CA

Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 1:11 pm Post subject: An Eisenhower Commander

You know my attitude...put some band-aids on it and  have Captain Jimbob FLY it to its new destination! Who wouldn't want to fly a  piece of history...especially "Air Force One"?

   From: owner-commander-list-server(at)matronics.com  [mailto:owner-commander-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Barry  Collman

Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 1:04 PM

To:  commander-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: Re: An  Eisenhower Commander

 Hi John,

 From photos I have, that I think were taken  outside the Wedell-Williams Museum, the aircraft is complete, with  engines.

 Condition looks pretty good, but most of the  fuselage is hidden by tarpaulin covers.

 The engines may have been similarly covered, but  the tarpaulin may have been partially removed for the photos, I'm not  sure.

 Best Regards,

 Barry

 [quote]   ---

barry.collman(at)air-brit
Guest

Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 1:22 pm Post subject: An Eisenhower Commander

Well John . . . I had a similar thought  

  

 Have no idea where the Museum is though, in  relation to an airport.

  

 Best Regards,

 Barry

 [quote]   ---

n55bz(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 1:38 pm Post subject: An Eisenhower Commander

I have seen the aircraft a number of times. I t was kept  indoors in an air-conditioned building for at least 10 years and from the  outside appears to be intact and complete. 

  

 Unless the condition has deteriorated significantly I  don't think that a ferry would be out of the realm of possibility. 

  

 It is not more than two miles from the Intracoastal Canal  which passes through Houma so movement by barge is also a  possibility.

  

 Kindest regards,

  

 Bill

 [quote]   ---

barry.collman(at)air-brit
Guest

Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 1:58 pm Post subject: An Eisenhower Commander

Hi Bill,

  

 Thanks for that and it's another possible solution for them.

 From the FAA paperwork, the State of Louisiana  bought it in September 1982 and I feel sure it was donated to the  Wedell-Williams Museum almost straight away.

  

 I'm not sure when the photos I've got were taken,  but the condition looks generally good and not a flat tire in  sight.

 One photo shows evidence of some weather-induced  'streaking' on the rear fuselage, possibly from the de-ice boots, but other than  that it looks clean, at least.

 Looking at the photo "properties", two of the  shots were possibly taken in April 2006 and the other five in September  2007.

  

 Best Regards,

 Barry

 [quote]   ---

n55bz(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 1:59 pm Post subject: An Eisenhower Commander

The museum was originally on the grounds of the Patterson,  LA (KPTA) airport. It was moved across the highway from the airport, but I don't  know if the Commander was moved across the street. It may still be on the  airport. 

  

 The Patterson Airport was the location of an Aero  Commander Distributorship owned by Bert Berry's family during the "Good  Times".

  

  I live about 40 miles "up da bayou" so I can drop by  if that would be helpful.

  

  

 Kindest regards,

  

 Bill

 [quote]   ---

BertBerry1(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 2:09 pm Post subject: An Eisenhower Commander

I landed there on Sunday, its not there.  The photos that Barry has  are ones that I took.  The museum was heavily damaged during the summer of  2005, Katrina and Rita Damage.  That Commander sat outside on the ramp for  at least a year or so while they constructed a new Museum on US 90 in  Patterson.  I think it was then towed to the site along with a F-4  Phantom.  My brother lives there, I'll ask him to go by and take some newer  photos. 

  

 Bert

  

  In a message dated 1/29/2010 4:00:12 P.M. Central Standard Time,  n55bz(at)cox.net writes:

 [quote]   The museum was originally on the grounds of the    Patterson, LA (KPTA) airport. It was moved across the highway from the    airport, but I don't know if the Commander was moved across the street. It may    still be on the airport. 

    

   The Patterson Airport was the location of an Aero    Commander Distributorship owned by Bert Berry's family during the "Good    Times".

    

    I live about 40 miles "up da bayou" so I can drop    by if that would be helpful.

    

    

   Kindest regards,

    

   Bill

   [quote]     ---

barry.collman(at)air-brit
Guest

Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 2:20 pm Post subject: An Eisenhower Commander

Hi Bert,

  

 You know, I thought those photos came from yourself, but  I must have been extra busy the day you sent them, as I "always" put who I  received them from as either part of the file name or, using the "Properties"  then "Summary" tabs, put something in the "Comments".

  

 So, apologies for that omission Bert.

  

 If your brother can get some up-to-date shots, that'll  be great.

  

 Best Regards,

 Barry

 [quote]   ---

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