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US Air Force Commander conundrum

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barry.collman(at)air-brit
Guest

Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 2:25 pm Post subject: US Air Force Commander conundrum

Hi Guys,



With a rather red face, I'm having to admit that I need some help in identifying 

a Commander seemingly in a Museum. I also wanted to make sure that you all had 

something to do over the weekend 



The Commander is painted in the well-known Blue & White color scheme, as those 

originally supplied to the US Air Force were and appears to be either a Model 

560A or 680. Certainly, it does not have extended wing tips.



However, it has "United States Airforce" inscribed on the nacelle. This is an 

error and should read "United States Air Force". This leads me to wonder if the 

aircraft is not in an official Air Force museum. I'm certain it isn't the one at 

Wright-Patterson.



The building itself has a relatively low ceiling, with rather poor strip 

lighting.



What has led me up the garden path so far is that the slide itself has been 

date-stamped "Nov96" by Kodak. However, hand-written on the slide is "NASM 

storage Silver Hill, MD." and "Aug.1989". On the reverse the date is repeated as 

"August 1989".



I found out that "NASM storage Silver Hill, MD." most likely referred to the 

National Air & Space Museum, the former Paul E Garber Restoration and Storage 

facility, which used to be located in Suitland, MD., on Silver Hill Road. (Part 

of the Smithsonian Institution.).



I therefore emailed the guys there a few days ago and anticipated the mystery 

would shortly be solved. Not so, my friends! They know nothing about it!!



I know the Wedell-Williams Aviation Museum at Patterson, LA had 680-317-12 

donated to them and it is an ex Air Force aircraft. However, I have not seen any 

photos of it to compare with this one.



Any leads will be welcome.



Very Best Regards,

Barry

bertberry1(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 3:49 pm Post subject: US Air Force Commander conundrum

Hey Barry,



The Commander in Patterson is sitting outside, I have someone going there now to shoot some photos of it, will forward them as soon as they show up.



Bert

barry.collman(at)air-brit
Guest

Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2006 4:53 am Post subject: US Air Force Commander conundrum

Hi Bert,



I accessed the photos that Scott took. I'm now virtually certain that the 

'mystery' ship has now been identified as 680-317-12, which was formerly with 

the USAF as 55-4648.



Out of the original batch of 15 ordered as Models 560A, the last two were 

changed to Models 680. Both were used by President Eisenhower.



The photos Scott took outside the Wedell-Williams Aviation Museum at Patterson, 

Louisiana clearly show "United States Air Force" painted incorrectly as "United 

States Airforce" on the left-hand nacelle. On the right-hand nacelle, it is 

correctly painted! Thank goodness the slide photographer took the shot showing 

the wrongly-painted side! Strangely, neither the original shot, or those just 

taken, show "55-4648" painted on the fin cap.



The downside to this is that the aircraft is now outside and has badly 

deteriorated since the shot I originally had was taken. How can a museum, having 

such a prestigious Commander, given its use by a US President, allow such a 

thing to happen? It was purchased by the State from the Civil Air Patrol, then 

donated to the museum. When inside, it looked pretty well immaculate. Now, it 

needs one heck of a lot of attention.



Can I thank Scott Berry for taking the time and trouble to get the photos to me, 

particularly at such short notice. "Thank You" Scott!



Very Best Regards,

Barry



---

bertberry1(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2006 7:43 am Post subject: US Air Force Commander conundrum

Barry,



The reason its outside is because the old meusem was damage and they are now in the process of finishing the new building.  It won't be outside for very long.  Scott is my little Brother, i'll tell him you were pleased with the photos.



Bert

Rockwell273

Joined: 29 Apr 2006
Posts: 1
Location: Berwick, LA

Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2006 7:36 pm Post subject: Re: US Air Force Commander conundrum

Barry,



It was my pleasure to go and get the pictures.  Bert and I both share an affection for Aero and Jet Commanders.  I just haven't expanded my knowledge yet.  I have some more photos that I have collected from Bert and the web that I will try and post when I get some spare time.  I am sure that you have seen or collected the ones that I have, but just in case I will post them.



Scott

barry.collman(at)air-brit
Guest

Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 3:47 am Post subject: US Air Force Commander conundrum

Hi Bert,



Well, that sounds a little better! Rather pleasing to know that it hasn't been 

abandoned.



Very Best Regards,

Barry



---

barry.collman(at)air-brit
Guest

Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 3:51 am Post subject: US Air Force Commander conundrum

Hi Scott,



Thanks! Bert usually sends me anything he gets, but a check would not go amiss.



I'm currently updating my photos/slides/negatives database. Currently comprises 

9,029, but I think I've got a few more slides to do. This figure doesn't include 

the digital images. There are quite a number of duplicate shots in that figure 

though. One thing I must try to do is compile a 'hit list' of any serial numbers 

for which I haven't got photographic coverage!



Very Best Regards,

Barry



---

ashamah(at)thassap.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 4:20 am Post subject: US Air Force Commander conundrum

Were can I see this pictures?

=20

Regards

=20

Alberto



________________________________



De: owner-commander-list-server(at)matronics.com en nombre de Barry Collman

Enviado el: Dom 04/30/2006 06:50 a.m.

Para: commander-list(at)matronics.com

Asunto: Re: Re: US Air Force Commander conundrum




<barry.collman(at)air-britain.co.uk>



Hi Scott,



Thanks! Bert usually sends me anything he gets, but a check would not go =

amiss.



I'm currently updating my photos/slides/negatives database. Currently =

comprises

9,029, but I think I've got a few more slides to do. This figure doesn't =

include

the digital images. There are quite a number of duplicate shots in that =

figure

though. One thing I must try to do is compile a 'hit list' of any serial =

numbers

for which I haven't got photographic coverage!



Very Best Regards,

Barry



---

barry.collman(at)air-brit
Guest

Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 5:21 am Post subject: US Air Force Commander conundrum

Hi Alberto,



These are in my 'private' collection, built up over the last 40 years or so! 

Perhaps one day, I'll get them all scanned!!



Any whiz-kids out there who can invent a 60-hour day?



Best Regards,

Barry



---

ashamah(at)thassap.com
Guest

Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 1:43 pm Post subject: US Air Force Commander conundrum

Thank you.

=20

I am just beginning in the commander family.  I am in the process of =

purchasing a 840.

=20

Regards

=20

Alberto



________________________________



De: owner-commander-list-server(at)matronics.com en nombre de Barry Collman

Enviado el: Dom 04/30/2006 08:20 a.m.

Para: commander-list(at)matronics.com

Asunto: Re: Re: US Air Force Commander conundrum




<barry.collman(at)air-britain.co.uk>



Hi Alberto,



These are in my 'private' collection, built up over the last 40 years or =

so!

Perhaps one day, I'll get them all scanned!!



Any whiz-kids out there who can invent a 60-hour day?



Best Regards,

Barry



---

deneals

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 29

Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 1:52 pm Post subject: US Air Force Commander conundrum

On 5/1/06 4:40 PM, "Alberto Shamah" <ashamah(at)thassap.com> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   Thank you.

 =20

 I am just beginning in the commander family.  I am in the process of =

 purchasing a 840.

 =20

 Regards

 =20

 Alberto


	


Alberto:

I assume from your domain that you are in Panama.



I used to fly Learjets in Panama every night for DHL in the late 1980s.



At that time, there were several Commander operators in Central America.

 

-- 

Deneal Schilmeister ATP Learjet

St. Louis, Missouri   USA



http://homepage.mac.com/deneals

BertBerry1(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 1:58 pm Post subject: US Air Force Commander conundrum

Alberto,



If your looking for the photos that Scott took on the Commander in Patterson, 

here is the link for that.



Thanks,



Bert

http://www.berrycommunications.net/commander.htm

ashamah(at)thassap.com
Guest

Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 8:40 pm Post subject: US Air Force Commander conundrum

Yes, I am based in Panama.  We are now operating in what was until 1999 =

Albrook Airforce Base, now Aeropuerto Internacional Marcos A. Gelabert =

(MPMG).

=20

Well, right now there are no Turbo Commanders in Panama.  That is one of =

the reasons I am a bit worried.

=20

Regards

=20

Alberto



________________________________



De: owner-commander-list-server(at)matronics.com en nombre de Deneal =

Schilmeister (iMac)

Enviado el: Lun 05/01/2006 04:52 p.m.

Para: commander-list(at)matronics.com

Asunto: Re: Re: US Air Force Commander conundrum




<deneals(at)sbcglobal.net>



On 5/1/06 4:40 PM, "Alberto Shamah" <ashamah(at)thassap.com> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   Thank you.

 =3D20

 I am just beginning in the commander family.  I am in the process of =

=3D
	


 	  Quote: 	
		   purchasing a 840.

 =3D20

 Regards

 =3D20

 Alberto


	


Alberto:

I assume from your domain that you are in Panama.



I used to fly Learjets in Panama every night for DHL in the late 1980s.



At that time, there were several Commander operators in Central America.



--

Deneal Schilmeister ATP Learjet

St. Louis, Missouri   USA



http://homepage.mac.com/deneals





=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=

=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D

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=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D

ashamah(at)thassap.com
Guest

Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 8:42 pm Post subject: US Air Force Commander conundrum

Thank you.



________________________________



De: owner-commander-list-server(at)matronics.com en nombre de =

BertBerry1(at)aol.com

Enviado el: Lun 05/01/2006 04:57 p.m.

Para: commander-list(at)matronics.com

Asunto: Re: Re: US Air Force Commander conundrum






Alberto,



If your looking for the photos that Scott took on the Commander in =

Patterson,

here is the link for that.



Thanks,



Bert

http://www.berrycommunications.net/commander.htm





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