NMNA F7U CUTLASS

The National Museum of Naval Aviation (NMNA) in Pensacola, Florida, is one of the finest military aviation museums in the world. I am proud to be able to say that a number of the airplanes that I restored are displayed there.

Some folks have asked me if I restored the F7U Cutlass on display at the Museum.

The answer is, NO.

You Naval aviation buffs and former Cutlass drivers (survivors!) take a look at these photos and tell me what is unusual about this particular F7U.

Shadow

USMC AIR/GROUND MUSEUM B-25

This is my B-25D I bought down in Santa Cruz, Bolivia... It's in the Bennie Area on the Amazon Basin... close to where we finally caught up with Che Guevara... I bought two B-25's... actually three... two from the FAB (Bolivian Air Force) and this one from a meat hauler. We took it apart and shipped it up in a FAB C-130. I restored it and it is on display at the Marine Air/Ground Museum in Quantico. You can see photos of the above B-25 after restoration on my website.

The other two... I sold one to Harry Doan and it was flown up here from La Paz... hell of a story.

The third one is still there... it's sitting in a "round about" in Cochabamba... When I went to get it, there was almost a riot... Seems the local Ladies of the Evening had converted my plane into a quick stop, full service brothel... didn't have the heart to ruin their business... I still own it... but it ain't leavin'.

Shadow

"Guantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera.....

Yo soy un hombre sincero

De donde crece la palma

Y antes de morirme quiero

Ver el B-25 en Cochabamba.....

Guantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera.....”

Photo: Israel Soliz

BLACK SHADOW HERLONG FIELD OFFICE

My office in my hangar during the Good Ole Days... You can see the fireplace, sat TV, but not the kitchen... Lancer and Nichole have been there along with a virtual Who's Who in American Military Aviation... from Yeager on down. I also had a huge bedroom and two full baths... in the hangar were all kinds of aircraft being restored... had a lot of visitors from all over the world... the famous and infamous... A lot of intrigue went on here.

Shadow

CORWIN "CORKY" MEYER

Corwin "Corky" Meyer, famous Grumman test pilot, would visit Black Shadow and what wealth of flying wisdom he had accumulated over the years. Here he brought his T-6G he had at the time. Corky is one of the great aviation icons of all time. See his book, Corky Meyer's Flight Journal.

L-4 LIFE IS GOOD!

I always loved to fly. Here I am driving my old L-4 in USN blimp support livery over Amelia Island, FL. Great little airplane. I had a lot of fun with it!

HARRY GANN

While I was a pilot in the Marines, I had the very fortunate occasion to meet one of the finest gentlemen, and certainly one of the best military aviation photographers, I have ever known. He has taken thousands of great photos, in the air, on land and aboard aircraft carriers. He is the late, but very great, my dear friend, Harry Gann.

F4 FLAT HAT!

That be me!!

Proof that being a "Has Been" is better than being a "Never Was".

Shadow

FLYING HELLCAT

One of my Hellcats before I sold it... last flight before it left. I sold it to Doug Arnold via Whittington and when Paul Allen had me out to Seattle the first time... I walked in the Museum and there she was... Paul now owns it. And you can see it at Paul's Flying Heritage Collection.

Shadow