---------------------------------------------------------- Commander-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Fri 04/28/06: 2 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 03:25 PM - US Air Force Commander conundrum (Barry Collman) 2. 04:49 PM - Re: US Air Force Commander conundrum () ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 03:25:30 PM PST US From: "Barry Collman" Subject: Commander-List: US Air Force Commander conundrum --> Commander-List message posted by: "Barry Collman" Hi Guys, With a rather red face, I'm having to admit that I need some help in identifying a Commander seemingly in a Museum. I also wanted to make sure that you all had something to do over the weekend ;-) The Commander is painted in the well-known Blue & White color scheme, as those originally supplied to the US Air Force were and appears to be either a Model 560A or 680. Certainly, it does not have extended wing tips. However, it has "United States Airforce" inscribed on the nacelle. This is an error and should read "United States Air Force". This leads me to wonder if the aircraft is not in an official Air Force museum. I'm certain it isn't the one at Wright-Patterson. The building itself has a relatively low ceiling, with rather poor strip lighting. What has led me up the garden path so far is that the slide itself has been date-stamped "Nov96" by Kodak. However, hand-written on the slide is "NASM storage Silver Hill, MD." and "Aug.1989". On the reverse the date is repeated as "August 1989". I found out that "NASM storage Silver Hill, MD." most likely referred to the National Air & Space Museum, the former Paul E Garber Restoration and Storage facility, which used to be located in Suitland, MD., on Silver Hill Road. (Part of the Smithsonian Institution.). I therefore emailed the guys there a few days ago and anticipated the mystery would shortly be solved. Not so, my friends! They know nothing about it!! I know the Wedell-Williams Aviation Museum at Patterson, LA had 680-317-12 donated to them and it is an ex Air Force aircraft. However, I have not seen any photos of it to compare with this one. Any leads will be welcome. Very Best Regards, Barry ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 04:49:53 PM PST US Subject: Re: Commander-List: US Air Force Commander conundrum From: --> Commander-List message posted by: Hey Barry, The Commander in Patterson is sitting outside, I have someone going there now to shoot some photos of it, will forward them as soon as they show up. Bert