ausrere
Pattern Altitude
My sister, cousin and I stumbled upon the Veterans Memorial Air Park in Fort Worth yesterday. I wasn't even aware that this air park was there! Very cool little aviation museum. It's actually three small museums combined: The Forward Air Controllers Museum, OV-10 Bronco Association and the B-36 Peacemaker Museum. Lots of nice airplanes in the air park outside and a load of memorabilia and educational items indoors. Our personal guide was "Ike", a lovely gentleman who volunteers at the museum. He spent a couple of hours escorting the three of us around and sharing personal stories and information about all the exhibits (even letting us climb into a few of the exhibits). It was a great time. He took pleasure in educating us about all the little facts, figures and quirks of each aircraft (although he did jokingly tell me to shut up at one point when I knew the answers that he was trying to stump my sister on though, lol). He's a great aviation ambassador and a super nice guy.
I have a question about one of the exhibits you guys might be able to answer though. There is a black Cessna O-2 representing the "Kudy Jay" night FAC aircraft as it looked in 1970 when it was with the US Air Force, 23rd Tactical Air Support Squadron (TASS). There are black metal shields surrounding all the nav lights which keeps them from being seen from the sides and below the aircraft. I understand the purpose of those....aircraft above the O-2 can see them so they don't hit it, but ground personnel can't so they can't see it to shoot at it. But on the right side of the cockpit just in front of the cabin door is a large metal shield that sticks out from the body of the aircraft. There nothing behind it but the door and the top window in the door. It looks like it's meant to block something, but it can't be to block light from the door because the other side doesn't have it, and none of the other windows have it, even the lower one which I would think would be better visible from the ground anyway. It's baffling me and Ike. He said nobody has been able to explain what it's for to him either. Pics are attached. Anyone have any idea what it's for?
I have a question about one of the exhibits you guys might be able to answer though. There is a black Cessna O-2 representing the "Kudy Jay" night FAC aircraft as it looked in 1970 when it was with the US Air Force, 23rd Tactical Air Support Squadron (TASS). There are black metal shields surrounding all the nav lights which keeps them from being seen from the sides and below the aircraft. I understand the purpose of those....aircraft above the O-2 can see them so they don't hit it, but ground personnel can't so they can't see it to shoot at it. But on the right side of the cockpit just in front of the cabin door is a large metal shield that sticks out from the body of the aircraft. There nothing behind it but the door and the top window in the door. It looks like it's meant to block something, but it can't be to block light from the door because the other side doesn't have it, and none of the other windows have it, even the lower one which I would think would be better visible from the ground anyway. It's baffling me and Ike. He said nobody has been able to explain what it's for to him either. Pics are attached. Anyone have any idea what it's for?
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