Monday, December 28, 2020

Sunday, December 27, 2020

Disney Bomb WW2 American Sub bunker buster

 I never heard of the disney bomb until today. This bomb was ww2 American sub pen buster.  The bomb could only be carried by the B-17.  I learn some new everyday.




Six PAck F-106's photos from Ed Gumbko collection

I had not joined the 191St at the time they had F-106's.   This is was the name six pack came from. The beginning of the ADC fighter Squadron.















 

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Clarence Wentzel fellow modeler passing

  I have known Clarence since the early 70's,  He was one of the regulars at the old squadron on John R and Seven mile.  The old shop was the meccia for modeler in the Michigan area.  There the Friday night crew and Saturday gang.   Clarence would be there without fail on Saturday.    Friday night when the "New Stuff" came in.  Friday night crew was a little tough and tumble.  Salty language with adult humor.  Saturday this was not allowed.  Lot of children and Mom's.   

Clarence was guy that would sharing anything he knew.  Tips on mixing paint. Building a kit and it pitfalls.  Loss track of Clarence when he moved to Kalamazoo.     





Clarence E. Wentzel of Kalamazoo, MI passed away on Thursday, October 15, 2020, at the age of 80 after losing his short battle with COVID-19. 

Clarence was born in Chicago, IL on May 30, 1940, to father Clarence Julius and mother Mary Bowen. He graduated from Constantine High School in 1957. It was there he met his wife Marcy . Following high school, he enrolled at Trine University (formally Tri-State) where he graduated with a BS in Aeronautical Engineering in 1960. He was hired out of college by Fisher Body and remained with General Motors for 38 years. His career at General Motors was expansive, encompassing both domestic and international operations. Despite his knowledge of cars, aircraft remained his first passion. As a life-long modeler he built both wooden and plastic airplanes and became very skilled and prolific, assembling numerous museum-quality replicas.

Clarence was a smart, kind and humble man who lived a full and active life. He traveled the world, learned foreign languages, loved to read, watch movies, work in his yard, jog and golf. One of his defining traits was his generosity, and he cherished most his time spent with his wife, other family and his many, many friends.

Clarence was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother Mike Bowen. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marcy Wentzel; children James Wentzel (wife Bernadette), Lee Wentzel (wife Cindy Kay) and Lisa Messina (husband Dominic); and grandchildren Irena Wentzel, Jason Messina and Daniel Messina.  

People wishing to honor Clarence can donate in his memory to the Air Zoo in Portage, Michigan (https://kalamazoo-aviation-history-museum-dba-air-zoo.snwbll.com/imagine-inspire-ignite).

According to his wishes, cremation has taken place.  Memorial services will be held at a later date.  Arrangements were entrusted to Eley Funeral Home, Constantine.  Online messages can be left for the family at www.eleyfuneralhomes.com.

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

A-7K 80-0291

 One of the two K-car the unit had. Still researching the history of the aircraft










A-7D 74-1752

 LTV A-7D-16-CV Corsair II/74-1752

  • 1977: USAF 23rd TFW.
  • 1979-80: USAF 76th TFS (23rd TFW).
  • 1981: USAF 75th TFS (23rd TFW).
  • 1987-88: Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • 1991-92: Ohio ANG 162nd TFS (178th TFG).
  • 8/1992: Struck off charge.
  • Sent to be a target on the Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD.


A-7D 74-1740

 LTV A-7D-16-CV Corsair II/74-1740

  • USAF 355th TFW.
  • USAF 23rd TFW.
  • USAF 355th TFW.
  • Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • 4/1988: Put into storage at the AMARC bone yard.
  • 5/1992: Salvaged.

A-7D 74-1738

 LTV A-7D-16-CV Corsair II/74-1738

  • 1978: South Carolina ANG 157th TFS (169th TFG).
  • 1984: Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • 10/1988: Struck off charge.

A-7D 74-1737

 LTV A-7D-16-CV Corsair II/74-1737

  • 1976: USAF 355th TFW.
  • 1981-87: Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • 1991: Oklahoma ANG 125th TFS (138th TFG).
  • 9/1992: Struck off charge.
  • Sent to be a target on the Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD.





A-7D 73-1013

 LTV A-7D-15-CV Corsair II/73-1013

  • USAF 355th TFW.
  • 1980-88: Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • 7/1992: Salvaged at Kirtland AFB, NM.
127Th Crew Chief "Wild" Bill Parham



A-7D 72-0261

 LTV A-7D-13-CV Corsair II/72-0261

  • 1974-88: New Mexico ANG 188th TFS (150th TFG).
  • 1990-94: Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • Currently preserved at Selfridge ANGB, MI.



A-7D 72-0229

 LTV A-7D-13-CV Corsair II/72-0229

  • 1978: USAF 357th TFS (355th TFW).
  • 1980-89: Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • 7/1992: Put into storage at the AMARC bone yard.
  • 5/1998: Salvaged.

A-7D 72-0227

 LTV A-7D-13-CV Corsair II/72-0227

  • 1978: USAF 355th TFW.
  • 1984: Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • 7/1992: Put into storage at the AMARC bone yard.
  • 6/1998: Salvaged.





A-7D 72-0217

LTV A-7D-12-CV Corsair II/72-0217
  • USAF 355th TFW.
  • 1984-89: Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • 1991: Ohio ANG 112th TFS (180th TFG).
  • Put into storage at the AMARC bone yard.
  • 5/1992: Salvaged?


added photo 2/15/2022  photo credit Gerrit Kok




A-7D 72-0214

 LTV A-7D-12-CV Corsair II/72-0214

  • 1975: USAF 23rd TFW.
  • 1977: USAF 23rd TFW.
  • 1984-89: Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • 1992: AFFTC.
  • Put into storage at the AMARC bone yard.
  • 8/2000: Salvaged.

A-7D 72-0212

 LTV A-7D-12-CV Corsair II/72-0212

  • 1975: USAF 23rd TFW.
  • 1977: USAF 23rd TFW.
  • Iowa ANG 124th TFS (132nd TFG).
  • Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • Puerto Rico ANG 198th TFS (150th TFG).
  • Currently preserved in Las Piedras, PR.

A-7D 72-0205

 LTV A-7D-12-CV Corsair II/72-0205

  • 1975: USAF 23rd TFW.
  • 1977: USAF 23rd TFW.
  • 1980: USAF 74th TFS (23rd TFW).
  • 1987-89: Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • 7/1992: Put into storage at the AMARC bone yard.
  • 4/1997: Salvaged.

A-7D 72-0197

 LTV A-7D-12-CV Corsair II/72-0197

  • USAF 4525th FWW.
  • USAF 355th TFW.
  • 1980: Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • Puerto Rico ANG 198th TFS (156th TFG).
  • 5/1989: Struck off charge.

A-7D 72-0188

 LTV A-7D-12-CV Corsair II/72-0188

  • 1975: USAF 23rd TFW.
  • 1977: USAF 23rd TFW.
  • 1987-89: Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • Virginia ANG 149th TFS (192nd TFG).
  • 11/1991: Put into storage at the AMARC bone yard.
  • Currently preserved in Burnet, TX.

A-7D 72-0177

 LTV A-7D-12-CV Corsair II/72-0177

  • 1975: USAF 23rd TFW.
  • 1977: USAF 23rd TFW.
  • 1980: USAF 74th TFS (23rd TFW).
  • 1989: Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • Currently preserved at Tinker AFB, OK, falsely marked as “72-245”.



Photo by Trevor Bartlett.  Reference only for unit history

A-7D 71-0352

 LTV A-7D-11-CV Corsair II/71-0352

  • USAF 23rd TFW.
  • USAF 4525th FWW.
  • 1976: USAF 23rd TFW.
  • 1980: USAF 75th TFS (23rd TFW).
  • 1989: Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • 1991: Puerto Rico ANG 198th TFS (156th TFG).
  • 7/1992: Put into storage at the AMARC bone yard.
  • 6/1998: Salvaged.

A-7D 71-0345 "Might Mouse"

 LTV A-7D-11-CV Corsair II/71-0345

  • 1975: USAF 23rd TFW.
  • 1977: USAF 23rd TFW.
  • 1979: USAF 75th TFS (23rd TFW).
  • 1989-90: Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • 1990-91: Virginia ANG 149th TFS (192nd TFG).
  • 1991: Puerto Rico ANG 198th TFS (156th TFG).






A-7D 71-0339

 LTV A-7D-11-CV Corsair II/71-0339

  • 1975: USAF 23rd TFW.
  • 1977: USAF 23rd TFW.
  • 1980: USAF 75th TFS (23rd TFW).
  • 1981: Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • New Mexico ANG 188th TFS (150th TFG).
  • 1989: USAF 6512th TS.
  • 1990: Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • Was preserved at Barksdale AFB, LA.
  • Currently preserved in Valdosta, GA.

A-7D 71-0323

 LTV A-7D-10-CV Corsair II/71-0323

  • USAF 354th TFW.
  • 1974: USAF 3rd TFS (388th TFW).
  • 1979-80: South Carolina ANG 157th TFS (169th TFG).
  • 1987-89: Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • Ohio ANG.
  • 11/30/1991: Written off.

A-7D 71-0308

 LTV A-7D-10-CV Corsair II/71-0308

  • USAF 354th TFW.
  • USAF 3rd TFS (388th TFW).
  • 1977: USAF 23rd TFW.
  • 1980: USAF 75th TFS (23rd TFW).
  • 1982-87: Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • 8/1992: Put into storage at the AMARC bone yard.
  • 4/1997: Salvaged.

Not a good picture





A-7D 70-1047

 LTV A-7D-9-CV Corsair II/70-1047

  • 1979: USAF 357th TFS (355th TFW).
  • 1980-90: Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • Puerto Rico ANG 198th TFS (156th TFG).
  • 7/1992: Put into storage at the AMARC bone yard.
  • 8/2000: Salvaged.


A-7D 70-1041

 LTV A-7D-9-CV Corsair II/70-1041

  • USAF 355th TFW.
  • 1979: New Mexico ANG 188th TFS (150th TFG).
  • 1990: Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • 6/1991: Put into storage at the AMARC bone yard.
  • 8/1997: Salvaged.


A-7D 70-1037

 LTV A-7D-9-CV Corsair II/70-1037

  • USAF 355th TFW.
  • USAF 354th TFW.
  • USAF 23rd TFW.
  • 1976: USAF 356th TFS (354th TFW).
  • 1979-88: Oklahoma ANG 125th TFS (138th TFG).
  • 1990: Pennsylvania ANG 146th TFS (112th TFG).
  • 1990: Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • 10/1989: Struck off charge.
  • Currently preserved at Selfridge ANGB, MI.



A-7D 70-1035

 LTV A-7D-9-CV Corsair II/70-1035

  • USAF 355th TFW.
  • USAF 354th TFW.
  • 1979-86: Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • 1990: USAF 6512th TS.
  • Assigned as a ground trainer to McEntire ANGB, SC? Or not?




A-7D 7-1032

 LTV A-7D-9-CV Corsair II/70-1032

  • USAF 355th TFW.
  • Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • Colorado ANG 120th TFS (140th TFG).
  • 9/16/1982: Written off at Tinker AFB, OK.




A-7D 70-1031

 LTV A-7D-9-CV Corsair II/70-1031

  • USAF 355th TFW.
  • USAF 354th TFW.
  • 1978-85: Oklahoma ANG 125th TFS (138th TFG).
  • Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • 8/1992: Put into storage at the AMARC bone yard.
  • 8/1997: Salvaged.

A-7D 70-1027

 LTV A-7D-9-CV Corsair II/70-1027

  • USAF 355th TFW.
  • 1980-90: Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • South Dakota ANG 175th TFS (114th TFG).
  • 1/1992: Put into storage at the AMARC bone yard.
  • 5/1998: Salvaged.

So far I can only find  a drawing.


added 2/15/2021  photo credi Gerrit Kok


A-7D 70-1025

 LTV A-7D-9-CV Corsair II/70-1025

  • USAF 355th TFW.
  • 1980-90: Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • 8/1992: Put into storage at the AMARC bone yard.
  • 11/1996: Salvaged.



added 3/16/2021

A-7D 70-1002

 LTV A-7D-8-CV Corsair II/70-1002

  • USAF 355th TFW.
  • Pennsylvania ANG 146th TFS (112th TFG).
  • Arizona ANG 152nd TFS (162nd TFG).
  • 1980-90: Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • 1991: Ohio ANG 162nd TFS (178th TFG).
  • Was preserved at Pittsburgh APT, PA.
  • 6/2000: Sent to be a target on the Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD.



A-7D 70-0991

 LTV A-7D-8-CV Corsair II/70-0991

  • 1978-79: USAF 355th TFW.
  • 1987-90: Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFW).
  • Oklahoma ANG 125th TFS (138th TFG).
  • 1991-92: Ohio ANG 162nd TFS (178th TFG).
  • 8/1992: Struck off charge.
  • Sent to be a target on the Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD.




Reference for unit history  Photo by Trevor Bartlett



A-7D 70-0989

 LTV A-7D-8-CV Corsair II/70-0989

  • USAF 354th TFW.
  • USAF 3rd TFS (388th TFW).
  • USAF 355th TFW.
  • 1979-88: Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • 1992: Ohio ANG 166th TFS (121st TFG).
  • 9/1992: Put into storage at the AMARC bone yard.
  • 8/2000: Salvaged.

Asses 2/15/2022  Photo Credit Gerritt Kok



A-7D 70-0981

 LTV A-7D-8-CV Corsair II/70-0981

  • 1975: USAF 354th TFW.
  • USAF 3rd TFS (388th TFW).
  • 1984: Oklahoma ANG 125th TFS (138th TFG).
  • Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • 1988-91: Oklahoma ANG 125th TFS (138th TFG).
  • 9/1992: Put into storage at the AMARC bone yard.
  • 4/1998: Salvaged.

A-7D 78-0936

 LTV A-7D-7-CV Corsair II/70-0936

  • USAF 354th TFW.
  • USAF 355th TFW.
  • 1983-90: Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • Ohio ANG.
  • 9/1992: Put into storage at the AMARC bone yard.
  • 8/2000: Salvaged. Or in 11/1996?




MIANG A-7D corsair series first acft A-7D 69-6217

 LTV A-7D-5-CV Corsair II/69-6217

  • USAF 355th TFW.
  • Iowa ANG 174th TFS (185th TFG).
  • 1980: Michigan ANG 107th TFS (127th TFG).
  • 1983: AFFTC.
  • 1987-89: USAF 6510th TS.
  • 9/1992: Put into storage at the AMARC bone yard.
  • 8/2000: Salvaged.