Flightline: 1776/TBD

"user314" (user314) 10/27/2020 at 11:00 • Filed to: flightline, Planelopnik, planelopnik history, 1776, 1976, bicentennial, 70s

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Jumping off a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! from fellow wing-nut ttyymmnn, today will be Bicentennial celebration paint-jobs.

SP 4449 (Freedom Train) leads an excursion train through the Deschutes River canyon at Trout Creek, Oregon.

The Freedom Train passes through Naval Air Station, Miramar, California.

The !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! toured the country in 1975–76 to commemorate the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . This 26-car train was powered by three newly restored steam locomotives: the former !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!   !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! 4-8-4 # !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , former !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , a large !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!   !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! that is still operating in special excursion service today and former !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!   !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! # !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , which pulled the train in Texas.

The train itself consisted of 10 display cars, converted from !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! baggage cars. They carried more than 500 treasures of Americana, including George Washington’s copy of the Constitution, the original Louisiana Purchase, Judy Garland’s dress from !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ’s boxing trunks, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ’s pulpit and robes, replicas of !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ’ four Olympic gold medals from 1936 (one of which was stolen somewhere along the way), a pair of Wilt Chamberlain’s basketball shoes, and a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

Its tour of all 48 contiguous states lasted from April 1, 1975, until December 31, 1976. More than 7 million Americans visited the train during its tour, while millions more stood track-side to see it go by.

Aerial view of Kennedy Space Center’s Vehicle Assembly Building, with vertical U.S. flag and the emblem of the 1976 bicentennial celebrations which remained in place until 1998

175th Tactical Fighter Squadron A-7D Corsair II 70-0996 in Bicentennial Motif

LTV A-7B Corsair II 154465 of VA-153 Squadron at NAS Cecil Field Florida in 1976

Vought RF-8G Crusader of VFP-63 at NAS Miramar

US Navy McDonnell F-4J Phantom II (BuNo 153088) in Bicentennial celebration colours

Front view of BuNo 153088 on the ground

E-2B Hawkeye in Bicentennial colors during USS Nimitz’ 76-77 Mediterranean deployment

F-106A 58-0760 of Florida’s 159th F.I.S., 125th F.I.G., in a special SMAMA authorized 1776/1976 bicentennial paint scheme for the Nation’s Bicentennial in 1976.

T-38s of the USAF Thunderbirds team with the Bicentennial star on their tails.

KC-135 with a Bicentennial tail flash

McDonnell Douglas TF-15 (F-15B) in Bicentennial colors

Scale model of an F-105 with Bicentennial tail.

T-28D Trojan Red White and Blue scheme

US Navy TA-4

MrDakka > user314 10/27/2020 at 11:42

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If I'm careful, I think I can live to see the tricentennial celebration. Should be fun.

user314 > MrDakka 10/27/2020 at 11:48

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I’d be 99, so that’s not happening. Should make it to the Semiquincentennial in 2026 though, God willing and the creeks don’t rise. 

Future next gen S2000 owner > user314 10/27/2020 at 12:11

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By a boat, float down the creek. Problem solved. Next!

RallyWrench > MrDakka 10/27/2020 at 12:16

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I don’t know that I’d want to. 

ttyymmnn > user314 10/27/2020 at 13:18

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I would be 134.

ttyymmnn > user314 10/27/2020 at 13:19

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That was fun. 

ClassicDatsunDebate > user314 10/27/2020 at 14:55

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Here’s another cool one

ClassicDatsunDebate > MrDakka 10/27/2020 at 14:57

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The Blue Angels flying their Changdu J-20's

user314 > ClassicDatsunDebate 10/27/2020 at 15:15

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Oh, I like that one.

MrDakka > ClassicDatsunDebate 10/27/2020 at 16:38

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You’ll never the sky from me, you purple bellies!

ClassicDatsunDebate > MrDakka 10/27/2020 at 18:11

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I should revisit that series...never got into it even though it’s right in my wheelhouse.