Communications October 2016

PLANE RESTORATION

One of the planes at the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft and Military Artifact Museum has gotten a new set of “clothes”, As anyone familiar with the museum might know, our F9F-8 Cougar, a Korean War era plane and the Navy’s first Carrier launched jet fighter, has been painted blue since its arrival at the Museum.

Through the years she has had her fair share of problems and had been looking rather haggard. So one of the projects I had proposed, which was accepted and backed by the Museums Executive Board was the restoration of one of our Nation’s most important steps into aerial combat in the modern era, the jet age.

Through roughly a thousand man-hours of combined time by the Museums Restoration Division, the paint was stripped off, and the body of the plane, with all its dents, holes, and other decay were repaired.

Additionally, through exhaustive research, the history of this aircraft was uncovered, allowing us to find that the plane had actually been painted in the wrong color scheme all these years. Instead of blue (the common color of Cougars used in combat, it was found that our plane was used as a trainer and based with VT21 out of Texas during its Active Duty time.

The colors had to be completely changed. The blue paint was stripped completely off and the standard Training Unit White and International Orange applied after fixing all the damage.

The unit markings and technical detail markings are now being applied and we still have a few to apply, but, we hope to unveil a completely finished and gorgeous F9f-8 to the public soon. At that time, she will take her rightful place in Hangar #1 and will await the Restoration Departments restoration of our MIG15 (to be completed in 2016) where we will then be able to show a plane vs. plane type scenario to show the public the technological differences of a US plane vs a Soviet designed aircraft from that same era.

–Joe Musso
Aircraft and Vehicle Acquisitions Manager
Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum
Pueblo, Colorado

ONE GOOD DEED

I just received my June 2016 issue of MVM (no. 182). I always turn to your JAG File column first because I always enjoy your message.

You are right on about your philosophy in helping others with their projects and passion and not worry about scoring a profit.I’ve given away more goodies over the years than I’ve kept, simply because it was going to help a fellow hobbyist progress on their project.

Likewise, your comments on staying engaged in the MVPA are great. Our local club seems to be struggling to keep members engaged, even renewed.

– Cal Applebee

DISPLAYING THE LICENSE

Since I have a 1963 Mutt,I especially enjoyed the little article and cover picture of Mr. Elsasser’s 1962 M151 in the June issue. I took note of his effort to abide by the laws in Kansas to have a lighted license plate on the vehicle. It really makes me appreciate Texas and its laws about vintage military vehicles!

They have a license called Former Military Vehicles license.I can use my hood number as my license number and no plate is necessary. My new acquisition, a 5-ton AM General truck, which did not have hood numbers but the state told me to paint the VIN on my front bumper which I did in 3” letters.

I have a ‘42 GPW, ‘51 M38 and my ‘63 M151 all without license plates and hood number on the registration. In my many years of driving these vehicles, I have never had law enforcement question my registration.

I also want to thank you for the article In JAG File about supporting MVPA. I can not understand people that have HMV’s and not a member of MVPA?We should all support MVPA.

The picture I am enclosing is of my new M923 after painting and installing an S-280 Communications shelter on the bed. It will be my next convoy vehicle. Looking forward living in the box during the convoy.

– Jerry Gardner

Tyler, Texas

SPOTLIGHT FOR WHAT?

I’ve subscribed to Military Vehicles for sometime and this is my first question. Maybe someone out there can ID this light for me. I’ve taken it to a few shows asking for any idea but haven’t been lucky.

I’d like to know from what vehicle and era it came. It’s 6-volt and has a connection I’ve never seen.

– Phil Galvano

Military Vehicles Magazine welcomes correspondence from readers. Letters and e-mail must include a name and regular mail return address. Published letters reflect the opinions of the writers. Military Vehicles Magazine reserves the right to edit all letters for clarity, brevity, and other purposes. Address all correspondence to: Editor, Military Vehicles Magazine, 700 East State Street, Iola, WI 54990-0001, or e-mail to: john.adams-graf@fwcommunity.com.