The National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM) Restoration of RF-8G Bu. No. 145609 ---PAGE 1
Updated February 1, 2016 ---This page under construction. Keep checking for additional photos.
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In the Beginning
[INTRODUCTION: 1959-60: VMCJ-3 as "TN-xx". *1966-67: VFP-62 as "AJ-906". *Upgraded to RF-8G. *1972: VMJ-4 as "MJ-41". *1/1974: Put into storage at the AMARC bone yard. *12/1975: Returned to service. *1976: VFP-63 as "NL-610". *4/1982: Put back into storage at the AMARC bone yard. *4/1985: Salvaged. This RF-8G was parked on the NNAM flight line for many years waiting for its restoration. This is the story of how it got accomplished by a group of dedicated men. Ted Hurst has been fantastic in providing progress photos and I thank him for his leadership.
VFP-62 is honored that the National Naval Aviation Museum painted the aircraft in VFP-62 colors.]
This is how the RF-8G looked, as received from Davis Monthan "Bone Yard". Click photos to enlarge. Courtesy of Bruce Nason
Restoration Begins....And Stops....
Stripped and Waiting for Restoration--photo by Ted Hurst
The driving factor in fixing this bird were the Veterans and Service Members. We all started working here in 2013-2014, and we saw this RF-8G on the flight line and were extremely unhappy at its condition. About 6-8 years ago the aircraft was stripped and after priorities changed, it was left on the flight line this way. Many dedicated people made it their goal to fix this aircraft and after going through the log books found that it had been in three squadrons (VFP-62, VFP-63 and VMCJ-4). After looking at your webpage and seeing all the history and passion, we decided to paint it in VFP-62's colors (plus 62's colors looked cooler then anybody else's). Again it's been an honor for us; this is the first A/C that's been done in years, but is not the last.
Ted Hurst
....And Starts Again--photos by Ted Hurst
Panels opened up...Left Photo: nose cone open showing remanents of canabalized "viewfinder." Optics (once classified) are missing; Right Photo: Nice view of camera bays opened.
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