87 Planes Vandalized at Merrill Field

Anchorage police say some 87 planes have been vandalized at Merrill Field airport, with the main tires slashed.

The investigation began at 9 a.m. this morning when someone called to say their plane had been damaged at the popular airport on the edge of downtown Anchorage. Airport officials told police the vandalism likely took place sometime overnight.

I suspect that armed volunteers will shortly be patrolling Merrill Field, and feel sorry for anyone caught messing with a plane thereafter.

On second thought, no. No, I don't feel sorry for them at all.

Back in the Air After 23 Years

Video & Photos: Arctic Thunder Air Show

The Alaska Dispatch News has some great photos, here.

Sample:

click to enlarge - or better yet, go to the linked slide show. :)

Video is from KTUU Channel 2 in Anchorage. 

If You're an Aviation Buff ...

then you'd have loved to be here for this one.

Alaska Aviation Museum salmon bake and centennial of flight celebration

Read more here: http://www.adn.com/#storylink=cpy

With one of these to look at, I'd have been dancing too. :)

37 photos of Alaskan aviation history at the link.

Vintage AT-6 Restored, Flying Again

click to enlarge

Sheldon Wardell hands David Helmso a part as Helmso makes a last-minute repair on an 1943 North American AT6 at the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum at Lake Hood on Wednesday, January 30, 2013. Richard Benner flew the plane from Lake Hood to Joint Base Elemendorf-Richardson where it will be displayed at the 3rd Wing Annual Awards Ceremony on Friday. Richard Benner hauled the former Spanish Air Force plane from Seattle, WA last summer and rebuilt it from the 5 major pieces it was in with Chuck Miller and Sheldon Wardell. The World War II-era trainer featured 4 .30 cal. machine guns, two wing mounts, one shooting through the propeller and one rear facing. The tail of an Alaska Airlines 737 towers above the AT6. (BOB HALLINEN — Anchorage Daily News)

Read more here: http://www.adn.com/2013/01/30/2742405/best-of-january-2013.html#storylink=cpy