USA collection

[tinpis]

Trying to recall the name of the USA farmer and his collection of WWII fighters?
He had one of just about everything and tended to shun publicity.

[G-APDK]

Was it Walter A Soplata of Newberry OHIO you are searching for?
Phil

[barit1]

It's Newbury, OH (just E. of Cleveland) - Satellite view (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=http:%2F%2Fbbs.keyhole.com%2Fubb%2Fdownload.php%3FNum ber%3D195412&t=k&om=1&ie=UTF8&ll=41.469159,-81.219735&spn=0.00174,0.003331&z=18)

[tinpis]

Yes,ta chaps thats the one :ok:

[The AvgasDinosaur]

Does anyone have a listing of what is allegedly there?
Be lucky
David

[barit1]

Serendipity!

From the Yahoo! SurplusMilitaryAircraft list:
There's a six-page article with nine photos about Walter Soplata and his
aircraft collection in the current (Oct/Nov 2007) issue of "Air & Space
Smithsonian". It's written by his son.

If you ever wondered what's the story about this legendary, sometimes
seemingly mythical, location, then you'll want to read the article.

It's also available online:
http://www.airspacemag.com/issues/2007/october-november/soplata.php
but it only includes one photo (the aerial view).

Jeff

[tinpis]

Some pictures here (http://images.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Fea1/101-200/Fea182_Walters-Farm_Williams/part1/images/ws_z.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Fea1/101-200/Fea182_Walters-Farm_Williams/part1/Fea182.htm&h=391&w=691&sz=87&hl=en&start=7&tbnid=1qHah_y1KwDYkM:&tbnh=79&tbnw=139&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwalter%2Bsoplata%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3D en%26sa%3DG)

Nothing bad to be said about old Walter:ok:

[Evileyes]

Thanks Barit1 and Tinpis.

It's amazing what our countries turned into fry pans and caravans after the war.

There was a training field near where I lived as a kid in the 60s which was closed after the war. The local farmer bought all the aircraft at scrap prices. He had a large, overgrown field full of carefully disassembled SNJs there well into the 70s. A long line of engines on one side and the fuselages and such on the other.

Other small airfields around town had a few off in the grass as well. Some reportedly bought for $25 apiece and basicallly rotted there. Those same aircraft sell for $500,000+ today easy. Ever feel like slapping yer dad? ;)

Tired of war, no money or motivation left to maintain them at the time though.

Well done Mr Soplata

[barit1]

My father (a WWII flight instructor) bought a surplus BT-13 for $350 IIRC, and flew it about 5 years. He also bought 2 1/2 runout R-985's for parts - $100 for the lot I think.

After a few years he sold the BT and most of the engines for $1500, which he used to buy a third-hand Howard DGA. This he flew (and maintained) for another 30 years. The DGA was by this time a semi-rarity and so he made out pretty well.

But - if only I had decided to keep that DGA... :ugh:

[tinpis]

OT for those that didnt know about the aircraft at Rukuhia scrap yard, New Zealand (http://www.wings.net.nz/rukuhia.html)
Messed around in amongst them as a lad.
Years ago was working with a pilot who ferried a lot of them to that field in 1949
Colour Corsair and P 40s
The Corsair was recovered and is now flying in the USA I believe
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/tinpis/corsair3.jpghttp://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/tinpis/P40s1.jpg[IMG]