Name that Flying Machine
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 10,281
Likes: 26
From: New South Wales

Joined: Apr 2008
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 836
Likes: 101
From: uk
Thank you. Once you said French I recalled seeing something like it in my Observer's Book of aircraft, bought with pocket money in 1960. Dug out the book, and sho' nuff, there it was.
O H please
O H please

Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 266
Likes: 8
From: Central Scotland
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 28
Likes: 7
From: Carolina
Not Airlift-another operator, and the airport at the time was simply known as Borinquen. BQN had formerly been a USAF base named Ramey Air Force Base.
Gen Ramey had been the head of Roswell Army Air field in Roswell New Mexico when either a "flying disk" or a weather balloon was discovered nearby. Ramey was in charge of that entire show.
Gen Ramey had been the head of Roswell Army Air field in Roswell New Mexico when either a "flying disk" or a weather balloon was discovered nearby. Ramey was in charge of that entire show.

Joined: Feb 2004
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 3,689
Likes: 118
From: USA
I think the Wrangler airplanes used to be based in Greensboro, NC, many years ago. I used to see them sitting on the ramp in front of their hangar.
I think the logic was that the fabric was made in the USA but flown to Latin America to be made into blue jeans...something like that ?
I think the logic was that the fabric was made in the USA but flown to Latin America to be made into blue jeans...something like that ?
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 28
Likes: 7
From: Carolina
Aviation is a small world. I was a pilot for Wrangler which was a part 121 Supplemental Air Carrier. In addition to fabric and jeans to and from PR, at one time we were a leading air freight carrier in the Caribbean-and a leading profit center for the parent company which was Blue Bell Inc.

Joined: Feb 2004
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 3,689
Likes: 118
From: USA
A small world indeed ! And you got to fly a cool airplane. I always wanted to get a close look at the airplane but the pax terminal was too far away for me to get over to your ramp.
What became of the airplanes ?
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 28
Likes: 7
From: Carolina
One was destroyed in a landing accident at BQN. After the company was sold, I stood on the ramp and watched the other airplanes chopped up for scrap-a very sad day.
You would have been welcome to come over to our ramp for a tour. It would have been a very hectic place with forklifts running around, tractor trailer trucks coming and going, and mechanics working feverishly to keep the airplanes flyable (we had one guy who did nothing other than props). Someone would have given you a tour of the flight deck of one of the airplanes.
You would have been welcome to come over to our ramp for a tour. It would have been a very hectic place with forklifts running around, tractor trailer trucks coming and going, and mechanics working feverishly to keep the airplanes flyable (we had one guy who did nothing other than props). Someone would have given you a tour of the flight deck of one of the airplanes.

Joined: Feb 2004
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 3,689
Likes: 118
From: USA
Yep, that'd be a sad day. Sorry I missed the tour opportunity.
Started my career in the Part 121 supplemental biz. It's an interesting way to earn an living.







