Abandoned Airplanes: SoCal, Season 2, Episode 1

We return to out of the way airports to find new abandoned aviation treasures! Welcome to Season 2 of the award winning KZbin documentary, Abandoned Airplanes. This episode we our in Southern California where we visit two small general aviation airports, Hemet-Ryan Field and French Valley. Plenty of interesting aircraft in this episode including many rare war birds.
Please help us find the history on these aircraft and hopefully help find new homes for the restoration and return to flight! We need your help!
Filmed May 2020.
Viewer provided updates:
N6857R, Cessna 210 - Being restored as of 12/8/2020

[@davidallyn925]

hemmet field is one of the most unfriendly fields I have ever been to so unfriendly that I flew to another field to get gas and will never go back to hell met field again. I am surprised that you were able to film anything there. so sad to see some of the older birds that I put so much of my time in . am 80 years old now and have 140 different types in my log and miss flying deeply. I really like too watch your videos.

[@Jonathan.D]

Those planes at Hemet field are owned by a UPS pilot. He has a bunch of awesome planes in the hangers there. Including a Fokker D1. It's an amazing collection!

[@bluesuit5]

VFC-13 Was a agressor.squadron out of Fallon NAS , thus the russian insignias. VFC-13 Saint Adversary

[@Mike-01234]

Just like those dead cars I have in my backyard wife keeps nagging me to get rid of. I guess here always find some airport in the boondocks who charge $5 a month keep a bee hive in.

[@sonnyburnett8725]

There’s NO reason for people to be so hateful to fellow pilots who like always, just want to walk the ramp and enjoy looking at other airplanes. And it’s always the same kind of prick who thinks it’s his airport because he’s flown out of it for some time.

[@ronjohnson9507]

Back in the 80s there was a piper aztec sitting at Hemet that me and my boss stripped for parts to repair a crashed aztec. We bought the landing gear, the entire nose, and quite a few other parts, there wasn't much left when we got done.

[@godfreypatrick9792]

The South African Harvard breaks my heart to see... I remember them out of Danottar, and the mass arrival and mass shut down when they were retired. Grief thats just the worst seeing it rot there...🇿🇦

[@tyronvangreunen]

The T6 Texan was a South African Air Force trainer, interesting how it made it to the US.

[@benjigault9043]

There are quite a few of them from SA flying in the US, the bright orange livery is a dead giveaway. Cheers.

[@pbellbell]

Thanks ! Enjoyed This ! do it again !

[@larryfountain5596]

I too had the opportunity to do aerobics in a Texan and it was awesome!!! Your videos are great!!! Had seen the aircraft at San Carlos airport port years ago also. Thank you

[@QSYT25599]

The Wilga N65ZA used to be at Kingman, Arizona. Great series (thumbs up!).

[@Xanthrochroid]

The sequence for military flight training preceding and during WWII was Primary Trainer - 17 (Stearman Kadet); Basic Trainer 13 - (Vultee Valiant); Advanced Trainer - 6 North American Texan.

[@scottminshall6420]

I see the ops building got cleaned up a little, I used to run all around that airport in the late 70s when I was a youngster and my father flew airtankers for Hemet Valley Flying Service. HVFS used to have all of the large hangars there, I remember the back hangar that they kept the crop dusters in was full of TBM parts, and there engines in cans as far as you could see.

[@flyingfortressrc1794]

Great video. I hope thosetexans and DC-3 get restored

[@richardg6949]

That first one is a Northrop F-5, figuring from the markings it used to be a Navy F5 used for Top Gun/aggressor

[@josephcovino9697]

I was impressed you knew the "Swift" and the "Navion" types. I will keep watching your channel. CFI/A&P JOE COVINO. Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

[@donaldbest1295]

Thanks for this very enjoyable video. When I learned to fly at the Royal Hamilton Flying Club in 1969 at Mount Hope Airport, Ontario, there were many old aircraft about. Multiple Harvards (T6), Yale (NA64 ), Anson, B17, Catalina, DH Chipmunks and so many others - most purchased by Americans in the following few years. the Canadian Warplane Heritage started - and Hamilton became a centre for WWII aircraft. I guess I love the old aircraft because of their stories, and the (mostly) men who flew them. Thanks for the memories.

[@TheTh903]

Hey! I just saw your video and I actually know the Pilot of the F5 of VFC13. He was the CO for the aggressor squadron for Top Gun, his call sign was "Thumper." I have gotten in contact with him and we are going to see if we can save it, thank you so much!

[@nickv6354]

To add, VFC13 was an adversary squadron used to simulate Russian MIGS and face off with F-18s. Cool stuff

[@rhark25]

@@nickv6354 hence the red star on the tail

[@platinumNL]

at 15min mark i get The A-team Vibes LoL lot of those type planes were on that show...

[@mikeford137]

VFC-13 was used at NAS Fallon as adversaries for training Navy and Marine fighter pilots.

[@gekolizzard]

Oh shit....A Harvard from SAAF. Nice...very cool. Hi from SA.

[@tomsamuelson8512]

You should have landed and checked out that DC-9 at Perris Valley. The local skydiving club uses it to jump out of.Must be fun operating a DC-9 out of a 5,000 ft runway...(18:03}

[@timcookermann1607]

Nice video. Btw did you know that on yak 52 nose landing gear isn't connected to rudder pedals at all. Steering on this airplane is made by rudder.

[@dustbowlhammer7119]

Couldn't help but notice, on the tip of that red and white Yak looking radial plane, there was a little fairy, that looks like Pamela the bondage fairy, and on the side too! xDD.

[@andreoosthuisen285]

The T-6 Texan was part of the South African airforce training fleet. Flew it in 1989. They were sold off when decommissioned. Sadly I suspect this is being stripped for parts for others.

[@ericpoelmans688]

in South Africa it was known as a Harvard.

[@GraemeDewe]

Sad to see this, I grew up in Springs near CFS Dunnottar and probably saw this actual aircraft fly over many many times , believe this is a SNJ?

[@jvdw31]

T6, was a ez- South African Airforce Trainer based at Denotter Aibase in Gauteng. Most probable bought by an private collection, but seems it will never see the skies ever again. So sade.

[@oldbaldfatman2766]

Dec. 4, 2020----The Wayward Wind marked airplane was at a NAS Fallon airshow many years ago...like 20, maybe more? Got some shots of it and other aircraft during that open house day. You might want to check out Stead and Carson City airports. Stead's known for the Reno air races, but one company there buys, rebuilds and sells used MiG-15's, 17's and 21's, both single and 2 seater versions. One day when I was there, the company was going thru a 2 seater MiG-21, including having the ejector seats out. Shot 20 rolls of film at 36 exposures each. Maybe you can tell I build models? In another hanger were a dozen single seat MiG-21's with the wings set off to one side. In another hanger, a dentist owned a SAAB Viggen. Shot that too, but couldn't get an okay from anyone to shot the cockpit. And for awhile, there was a F-105D on the ramp, sans engine. A month or so later, it was gone and no idea where it went. And some of the MiG's are on the ramp. In Carson City, there was (is?) a company which buys Hu-16 Albatrosses. When I was there, there were Navy and Air Force marked birds. Go there on a weekend when owners are there and hangars are open.....like seeing a P-51D and T-6 in one hangar, on the ramp was an O-1 Birddog with an inert smoke rocket under each wing. And Reno airport at one time had an OLD T-6 slowly rotting away. Think it was made in '42, but in any case, it had fabric covered flaps and rudder with the fabric barely there.

[@edilbertosantana8307]

Nice video.

[@presario4444]

I e-mailed Mike Patey and told him about the Wilga incase he needed spare parts when he rebuilds Draco.

[@scotabot7826]

Ahhhh..... Mike Patey knows all about that Wilga!!! It was Cory Robins Wilga, that he crashed trying to land at a high alt. back country strip. Cory is a close friend of Patey, as they are both members of the Flying Cowboys!!!

[@gregellis3859]

The F5 has Swiss wings on it because the parts of the F5 have life limits to them.. While the airplane is mothballed, there was probably still time left on the wings so they remove them to be put in active use and put wings that have met the time limit on it. My brother flew F-5's in the Navy Aggressor squadron VFC-13. His F5 was one used in the movie Top Gun. It is now at the aviation museum at Meacham Field in Fort Worth, Texas. It also had its wings removed and Swiss wings put on it. When they moved it there before they repainted it, it had my brother's name on the side below the canopy much like this one has the name of the last pilot on it as well.

[@tomdolan9761]

VFC13 flew the F5 Tigers as adversary aircraft when they were stationed at NAS Fallon

[@Gary.7920]

The tubular fuselage that you could not identify was a Howard DGA-15 Gary 77-Year-Old Pilot, A&P, IA in the Beautiful Ozark Mountains of North West Arkansas

[@FlyingWildAZ]

Seriously,? do you know Ira out at Pine Mountain AIrpark by Bull Shoals Lake

[@Gary.7920]

@@FlyingWildAZ No sorry I do not know Ira.

[@FlyingWildAZ]

I was just up in that area last week looking at a plane that I am now purchasing. That is one crazy coincidence.

[@cluelessbeekeeping1322]

Oh man...I want that F-5!

[@vilet1903]

that wilga (N65ZA) was crashed twice. Once in 2004 which was a hard landing, then in 2016.

[@PoorBoyPennyShow]

the old trainer has a star on the tail,,i think it was used to train navy pilots ,,it played the role of a mig in exercises

[@seamusandpat]

VFC-13 is the Navy squadron that provided practice 'enemies', for advanced traininee pilots, note the Russian star on the tail and the Swiss mark on the wing.

[@ianmcloughlin3572]

Heart breaking

[@garyallsebrook3493]

F-5. Mainly an export aircraft but used as a opposing aircraft in training missions, hence the Russian red star

[@jimsteffy7911]

Former Top Gum adversary aircraft from the markings

[@davidfleming3001]

SWISS markings on wings

[@dougscott8161]

At 15:35 At the tail of the DC3 N715F is that a paper in a plastic cover sheet or a new piece of metal installed? In any case, it appears that there is on-going repair/restoration work in progress. Earlier, the YAK taildragger at 4:50 is a Yak 55M currently registered 1-2-2020 to 2-31-2023 as Experimental in the Exhibition Category, so it has been apparently used in aerobatic competitions. Hopefully the owner will resume flying it or sell it to some one who will. Likewise, the T-6 at8.20 is also under current registration, and another commenter said many if not all of these aircraft are owned by the same individual, and I would love to see his whole collection. Don't know why you didn't stop at Perris Valley, but at French Valley, it appeared that all of the planes shown except the Cessna 210 were owned by the same person, that may be the man that claimed to own that section of the ramp.

[@USNVA11]

I chuckled when he said “Traumahawks” ….. 😏

[@mouser485]

That 172N needs to be back in the air. A clean 1979 172 can bring $120,000.

[@EthanA1122]

The tragedy is the cost to operate and maintain an aircraft!

[@alangarrett1181]

Add “Purchase” to that!

[@spannaspinna]

@@alangarrett1181 purchase is the cheap bit lol

[@moparluvrsgagarage2898]

@3:10 N31DG owned by Prop & Jet Museum of Romoland, Ca. @3:28 N29KJ owned by Doug Medore at same address of the museum. @4:51 also owned by Doug Medore. @5:09 is a YAK-52 owned by a Gent in HEMET, classified as an experimental. @6:30 that Cessna has been deregistered. @8:22 also belongs to Mr Medore. and it is a T-6G. @12:58 also deregistered but was owned by a gent in UTAH before it was deregistered. @13:22 N59843 also owned by Medore. @14:23 is a Beech 3NM built 1952 owned by a "trustee" out of Riverside Ca. @15:21 is registered as a SUPER DC-3, same owner, trustee out of Riverside.

[@markthompson8656]

I looked up the Beech also. never heard of Beech 18 Model, Beech 3NM

[@pietervaness3229]

I SERIOUSLY believe any " abandoned " A/C in even fair condition , is not really abandoned : there are just too many pilots , including myself , WOULD be after them as quickly as possible , and doing so , RARELY , results in a positive outcome !

[@dennisowen3717]

Considering the shape of the DC-3, It appears that the Tail feathers are in for re-surfacing. They were Fabric after all. Great Videos my friend. It breaks my heart to see so many Planes in such bad condition. If I had the money I'd restore them all. Especially the DC-3 if it were available.

[@donkeightley8463]

The AT-6 is a South African Air Force trainer which found it's way to the USA after thy were retired in 1995. South African enthusiasts are horrified to see one of their favorite old ladies in such a sad state. Many would kill to get her back

[@carleluere4131]

General Chuck Yeager spemt time at Hemet Ryan during WWII.

[@michaelrunnels7660]

Training airplane? Maybe the student sat on the instructor's lap. lol Dude, it's a single seat F-5 fighter used by the Navy as the aggressor force. It was chosen by the Navy because it's performance is very similar to the Mig-21.

[@1225KPH]

This guy ain't too bright.

[@CaliforniaFly]

@@1225KPH I'd say he's somewhere in the stupid zone.

[@phillaisure4892]

At about the 19 minute mark, you show a Cessna 210. I saw another video a couple days ago, this airplane is being restored for flight, you are probably responsible for making that happen. Nice save!

[@FlyingWildAZ]

Awesome!

[@FlyingWildAZ]

I found the video you reference on MOJOGRIP channel. The Cheapest 6 Seater Plane Cessna 210 .

[@flyerbob124]

Just checked and it was registered in November 2020 to a owner in Arizona.

[@747heavyboeing3]

@@FlyingWildAZ Great flying airplane. Gave many hours of flight instruction in a 210.

[@edgrado1969]

Es una pena que tan buenas aeronaves esten en esa condiciones de abandono , te queria comentar que el avion insignia de la Fuerza Aerea de Uruguay ( FAU) es un texan T6 que esta operativo y en excelentes condiciones

[@ramenhausten]

Know anyone that could help me Find a project airplane for restoration and training purposes mate ?

[@spannaspinna]

Yaks kinda look silly till they are in the air lol

[@andrewwatson9805]

T6 is actually known as a Harvard in South Africa and other parts of the world. It has SAAF markings.

[@captmulch1]

Wirraway in Australia.

[@831BeachBum]

Plane is owned by Art Medore. Not sure if that is senior or junior but Art Medore started a company, Banaire, Inc. out of Banning, CA. They had I think the world's largest collection of the North American AT-6 parts for sale. They helped many a restorer in their restorations.

[@josephcovino9697]

I think the first one was an F-35 Tiger shark definitely not a trainer, doesn't have 2 seats (one for instructor ).

[@yeah-7544]

*F-5E Tiger II

[@mrbones_7420]

Tiger shark is a different version of the f-5 called the f-20

[@desmondleroux3444]

Was a South African air force training aircraft

[@cristianvera8506]

Noice mate 🙌✌️🇦🇺

[@ronjohnson9507]

That used to be Cory Robins wilga

[@jamesriordan7]

Yep. It's sad to see the Wilga Beast in such a sad state of disrepair and damage. Cory gave myself and my family a great ride in the Beast in Elko, NV back around 2013.

[@blainemilliron3870]

that is a f5 the navy means it was used as a aggrasser in top gun if af it would be red flag

[@gregmaupin8929]

The F-5 is not a trainer. That was used as an aggressor for the Navy I believe. This was your first aircraft.

[@garyglasscock7665]

All of those planes have been in hibernation for a very long time 20 yrs or more

[@jonglover1143]

It's called AT-6 Texan plane

[@kevinb9327]

OpFor planes for Top Gun training? Is Miramar NAS near?

[@747heavyboeing3]

No. Miramar is near San Diego. Unfortunately it is now a Marine base and not the same. The museum is now permanently closed and base Commander has canceled last three airshows. It was great when it was a Navy Topgun base.

[@loualiberti4781]

Go ahead and touch them I Doubt touching them will cause any more damage than sitting out in the elements rusting.

[@kevintaylor791]

I bet the tanks on that L29 are empty. I do have a cheat code though.. L29s are always low on fuel,

[@bammab977]

That’s a Northrop F5 or F5E fighter, not a trainer.

[@lindsaypowell4675]

N3100G 7523 Still in South African Air Force colors

[@ConvairDart106]

T-38, should be known by most pilots.

[@747heavyboeing3]

Every dart pilot flew one. I knew an F 106 California Air National Guard pilot that was killed in an accident in July 1979. 80777 Dan was a great guy and I had his wife in a ground school class.

[@miltmarhoffer7829]

I believe the first bird with navy markings was a T-38 talon

[@maurices5259]

No, the T-38 was a two seat trainer, this is an F5

[@miltmarhoffer7829]

Thank you for the correction

[@carlospar3727]

Apparently they mostly belong to the same guy...some linkage to a museum. FAA N number lookup has the stories.

[@dougscott8161]

Where did you find the link to a museum in the FAA N number database?

[@michaelsaayman2802]

T6 old Harvard training planes for the South African Airforce.

[@desmondleroux3444]

All these things aircraft are going to be restored or for parts, none have been abandoned

[@TheMilwaukieDan]

Not likely

[@shaunroberts9361]

Really really sad to see so many airplanes to there an roat...

[@twmickeyfly3314]

The vultee valiant is a bt 13 basic trainer not advanced trainer or a vibrator

[@dougscott8161]

That Vultee Valiant IS a Basic Trainer, but it was still called the Vibrator.

[@MachTuck]

So many worth to keep em flying airplanes, sad

[@horsebee1]

N3100G is in current registration valid until 30/9/22 N5211D registration cancelled N37DG is a L-29 Delfin currently owned by a museum group and in current registration N29KJ same as above and has a current registration until 2024 The point is that all of the airplanes are quite tracible to their owners with a basic search.

[@arthursoutham479]

The T6a over is an ex South African Airforce aircraft. Must have been sold into private ownership when the airforce went over to the Aeromacchi.

[@8mm2digital]

Was the Aeromacchi called the Impala in South Africa?

[@GraemeDewe]

The Harvard and Impala were both in service at the same time, as primary and primary jet trainers. The Harvard (T6) was upgraded to PC7 MK2 and the Impala to BAe Hawk MK120

[@pedrodebarros4949]

T 6 ex South African Airforce

@Tim Timmons N3100G = Registered to: MEDORE, DOUGLAS A, Registration State: ROMOLAND, CA, Reg Type: Individual, Registration expires: 2022-09-30 ACTIVE N37DG - Owner/Registrant: PROP AND JET AIR MUSEUM INC, Approved Ops: "Exhibition", Expires: 2021-12-31 N29KJ - Owner/Registrant: MEDORE, DOUG, Air Worthiness: Active Experimental, Expires: 2021-11-30 NX7090L - Owner/Registrant: Douglas A. Medore (AGAIN) N5211D - Owner/Registrant: STRONG TOWER SERVICES LLC TRUSTEE, Registration State: Delaware, Air Worthiness: Standard, Approved Ops: Normal Active, Registration expires: 2021-11-30

[@charmainejacobs514]

Hi the Taxen plane 7523 with the blue castle and springbuck in the center was called HARVERT TRAINER in RSA

[@etiennepelser6855]

why "oh my god" ????

[@leerjet31]

It's their property they can let it sit if they want .... Man hell naw fly them or sell them no other way around it lol don't abuse the plane bc your a bad owner

[@iananderson7883]

That is one sad looking airport. Should just sell most of those airplanes for scrap before they deteriorate any more.

[@eduanfourie5277]

What an absolute disgrace seeing so many abandoned aircraft just rotting away ,why cant the selfish owners sell it for a cheap price to someone that wants to get it flying again.

[@jd3552]

How do these plane owners afford the years and years parking rents for non flying planes?

[@AZTB]

Most of those spots haven’t received rental revenues in years.

[@engine22emt]

All You need to do is google the tail Number

[@mattlombard2919]

Look like South African Air force used around 1950's and 1960''s Still has the Dutch flag on the tail. How it got all the way out there is any ones guess? Sad to see it rot like South Africa!

[@desmondleroux3444]

Matt Lombard that's not the Dutch flag on the south African T6, it's there old flag colours

[@georgevantuyl5837]

There are only two things you need to fly an airplane. Money and airspeed.

@Tim Timmons - Feel free to touch ANY abandoned thing you want to, tell anyone who says no to shove off, they are probably sitting in their mom's basement typing with cheese dust encrusted finger from all the cheesypoofs they stole from their mommy's pantry.

[@woodbutcher505]

Look up the number and you should find information on it. This is the Wilga info. PZL-104 Wilga 35A, N65ZA: Accident occurred August 21, 2016 in Austin, Lander County, Nevada - Kathryn's Report Aug 23, 2016 - Aircraft: P Z L -WARSZAWA-CNPSL PZL 104 WILGA, registration: N65ZA Injuries: 1 Minor. NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation ... .......planecrashmap.com/plane/wa/N65ZA/

[@chippowell1]

A mister DOUGLAS A MEDORE owns the Texan and the Vultee, per FAA records

[@NelloCambelli]

The cost of aircraft ownership is glossed over like lipstick on a pig. My 1979 T-210 took $40,000per year budget for minimal flight, annuals, insurance, hangar and battery. Gave up my instrument rating single engine land license in 2010 due to detached retina and selling my airplane.

[@NelloCambelli]

New owners put new life into the airplane with paint, passenger door with operating window and up to date Garmin avionics.

[@cluelessbeekeeping1322]

Oh man, I'd SO bee all over that plane and take the cutout of the hive! 21:42

[@lunaticfringe8066]

People getting upset about you touching their abused and neglected planes? I'm not sure if that falls under irony or hypocrisy...

[@noonehere1793]

WILL GAA

[@Tommyr44]

They need to add a new sign of the price of gas with Biden in office.

[@jonathansteiner3251]

For a aviation guy your not to knowledgeable.

[@scotabot7826]

Cool video, but you assume way too much about the airplanes and their owners. You have no idea about who, why or what. You approach each of these airplanes like you know their stories, and it really discredits anything you may have had to offer. You might consider leaving out all of your assumptions next time, because you really don't have any idea at all!!

[@scotabot7826]

Ahhhhh NO, You do not have "every right" to be out there milling around peoples PRIVATE PROPERTY. A lot of small airports are PRIVATELY owned, and open to the public, but that gives you no right to go anywhere you want to. You try walking up and down the ramp filming peoples private property at any of my local (PRIVATE) strips and see what happens. NO, you don't have that "right"!!! You must be new to aviation and flying, because you sure don't represent any of the gentlemen qualities my pilot friends, or aircraft owners have.

[@jamesburns2232]

@@scotabot7826 Have you seen the Airplane Repo show on Quest? It depends on milling around peoples PRIVATE PROPERTY to swipe their airplanes for a living.

[@scotabot7826]

@@jamesburns2232 They are allowed, by LAW to do that. Difference is you're not a Repo man doing a job. They can ONLY do that when actively on a case, and it's still a very, very gray area. Dude, just respect people private land and property, and it might help your case telling/asking people in the FBO so you don't look like someone up to no good. It wasn't that long ago the FAA came around asking all pilots to watch out for fishy behavior/ people milling around and snooping at airports. You fall directly into that category!! And then you get a bit of a attitude when confronted. Not cool!!!

[@spannaspinna]

@@jamesburns2232 or maybe people could just make their repayments like they agreed to when they signed on the dotted line,wouldn’t have to worry about repo men swiping property that belongs to the bank then

[@leejacobs8887]

Hi from South Africa l think this was an old Harvard training plan the insignia is S.A airforce and the old S.A. flag on the back. I was in the army way back 1963 and they were always flying around training new pilots. Reg Lee