Warbirds--Ontario, OR

[snydersnapshots]

On the way back from vacation we were driving through Ontario, Oregon. On the way to the motel, we passed the airport and I had to do a quick 180 and get some shots. The owner is an Ontario businessman by the name of Merle Maine.

Merle has quite a collection, and I suspect this is only part of it:

F 4 Phantom:


One of the rarest airplanes I've seen anywhere is the F5D Skylancer. Only 9 were ordered, 4 built, and two survive. The two survivers were used in NASA's Dyna-soar program and were flown by Neil Armstrong of Apollo 11 fame. The other survivor is at the Neil Armstrong museum in Ohio. It's a shame this one isn't kept out of the weather:



F86D:



F86 and Mig 21:



A couple of T-33's:





And an F-111

[CanonSATX]

wow pretty dang cool...

[lhdvies]

Nice series Ken! Wow I have'nt seen the old 86 saber jet since I was discharged.

[prncfarquad]

Those are some great planes you found Ken. Another good place to see some older planes is at the Tyler Airport Museum here in Tyler. They not only have some cool planes but also have lots of aviation history inside the building. If you are ever up this way shoot me a PM and I will meet ya up there. They let me use one of the aircraft for our high school senior baseball picture that was used in their season program.

[snydersnapshots]

Originally Posted by prncfarquad

If you are ever up this way shoot me a PM and I will meet ya up there.

It sounds like an offer I can't refuse! I'd like to get up there and see the museum--I'll definitely get ahold of you before I come up.