Old Warhorses
The only one that springs to mind that might beat it is the DC3, first flight in 1935 and still earning its living in the Antarctic and elsewhere, as the Basler BT-67 (new engines and avionics, but still the original basic airframes, so not quite “Washington’s axe” ! ) - that could well still be flying commercially 100 years after the first flight.
I would like to nominate te Douglas A-26 as an old warhorse. In service in 1944 in WW-2 it was retsained and redesignated as the B-26 to the great confusion of many. It then was used through the Korean War. It played a part in the Bay of Pigs fiasco being used covertly by the CIA.
When Viet Nam heated up Invader regained their old A-26 designation. No B for Bombers were allowed at that stage in Viet Nam. They got a remanufacture and an engine upgrade and served there, I would say three wars was a pretty good record.
As an aside, it has a place in my heart. My first airplane ride was in a NY Air National Guard Douglas B-26 with 18 guns. I was a Civil Air Patrol Cadet and we cadged a ride at Floyd Bennet Field from the National Guard. I was 14 years old in 1948 and was in heaven.
As a further aside, don't think there were very many warplaned that had 18 x 50 caliber guns.
When Viet Nam heated up Invader regained their old A-26 designation. No B for Bombers were allowed at that stage in Viet Nam. They got a remanufacture and an engine upgrade and served there, I would say three wars was a pretty good record.
As an aside, it has a place in my heart. My first airplane ride was in a NY Air National Guard Douglas B-26 with 18 guns. I was a Civil Air Patrol Cadet and we cadged a ride at Floyd Bennet Field from the National Guard. I was 14 years old in 1948 and was in heaven.
As a further aside, don't think there were very many warplaned that had 18 x 50 caliber guns.
" Somehow this feedback (as we would call it now) doesn't get written about much, compared with Operational Research, say."
I suspect that's because OR was new and talking to the troops was normal - whereas now its the other way round
I suspect that's because OR was new and talking to the troops was normal - whereas now its the other way round
Thread Starter
Tony T
I accept your nomination of the A26. And that was all before it morphed into the On Mark Marksman, the piston powered precursor to the Learjet
I accept your nomination of the A26. And that was all before it morphed into the On Mark Marksman, the piston powered precursor to the Learjet
Gnome de PPRuNe
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A-26 is one of my favourite types - shame we haven't seen the European based example at Duxford for a while.
Akrotri bad boy
Thanks for your accewptance. Woodward formerly Woodward Govenors, maee the Hamilton Standard govenors back in the piston days. They are now based here in Ft. Collins, Colorado. Woodward Govenor had a Corporate A-26. I have seen the picture of it but have no idea of who modded the aircraft into an executive transport. No details either on it. I assume the engines were uprated from the "B" series to either CA or CB models. It was fitted with new props looking like DC-6 style blades.
I would imagine with the loss of bulky turrets and their drsg, it must have been a speedster. Can't get any details on it.
As another asude, back in '53 or '54 when I was at school at LGA airport, corporate planes were common over by the old Marine Air Terminal and the hangers near it. I saw on several occasions another corporate modified B-26 but it was the Martin kind. It too had the uprated engines and props. It looked fantastic with its cigar shaped fuselage unencumbered with draggy turrets or waist guns. It was operated by Tennessee Gas and Electric I seem to recall. The Martin B-26 doesn't qualify as an Old Warbird as they were quickly retired after their war.
Two other old timers frequented the Pan American corpate hangars there. They were the Douglas B-18 Boloand B-23 Dragon. B-23 Dragon lasted a long time, at least one was in use well into the 70's. I don't believe they count though as they were no longer used as warbirds.
Thanks for your accewptance. Woodward formerly Woodward Govenors, maee the Hamilton Standard govenors back in the piston days. They are now based here in Ft. Collins, Colorado. Woodward Govenor had a Corporate A-26. I have seen the picture of it but have no idea of who modded the aircraft into an executive transport. No details either on it. I assume the engines were uprated from the "B" series to either CA or CB models. It was fitted with new props looking like DC-6 style blades.
I would imagine with the loss of bulky turrets and their drsg, it must have been a speedster. Can't get any details on it.
As another asude, back in '53 or '54 when I was at school at LGA airport, corporate planes were common over by the old Marine Air Terminal and the hangers near it. I saw on several occasions another corporate modified B-26 but it was the Martin kind. It too had the uprated engines and props. It looked fantastic with its cigar shaped fuselage unencumbered with draggy turrets or waist guns. It was operated by Tennessee Gas and Electric I seem to recall. The Martin B-26 doesn't qualify as an Old Warbird as they were quickly retired after their war.
Two other old timers frequented the Pan American corpate hangars there. They were the Douglas B-18 Boloand B-23 Dragon. B-23 Dragon lasted a long time, at least one was in use well into the 70's. I don't believe they count though as they were no longer used as warbirds.
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Woodward's A-26 was a Monarch 26, N137WG, which seems to have survived with several owners till 1981 - lastly at Anchorage, apparently abandoned after an accident following a flap rod failure taking off from Aniak.
Tennessee Gas had two B-26s, N171E, which ended up as an instructional airframe in 1965, and N5546N which went through various other owners before joining in the Confederate Air Force in 1967 - sadly lost in a fatal crash at Odessa in 1995. Apparently Aero Trader have the wreck in store.
Tennessee Gas had two B-26s, N171E, which ended up as an instructional airframe in 1965, and N5546N which went through various other owners before joining in the Confederate Air Force in 1967 - sadly lost in a fatal crash at Odessa in 1995. Apparently Aero Trader have the wreck in store.
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
Would the utility helicopter Bell 47 of 1946 also count as an old Warhorse?
I'm almost reluctant to divert the thread back from Hot Lips, but ...
It is also the world's first certificated helicopter. I'm very pleased that my one-and-only dual helicopter flight was in one. I loved it. When I win the lottery, I'm going to buy one, along with a hangar for it and the amphib Beaver! 
Would the utility helicopter Bell 47 of 1946 also count as an old Warhorse?
I'm almost reluctant to divert the thread back from Hot Lips, but ...
It is also the world's first certificated helicopter. I'm very pleased that my one-and-only dual helicopter flight was in one. I loved it. When I win the lottery, I'm going to buy one, along with a hangar for it and the amphib Beaver!
It is also the world's first certificated helicopter. I'm very pleased that my one-and-only dual helicopter flight was in one. I loved it. When I win the lottery, I'm going to buy one, along with a hangar for it and the amphib Beaver!
