Sig Saur & Son Posted October 29, 2010 Share Posted October 29, 2010 I grew up down the road from Willow Grove. First in Philly, then in Levittown, PA. It was a short distance away and my dad and I used to hang out at EOR. In the early days, there was not much of a fence. Air Shows/Open Houses were always looked forward to with great anticipation. My dad would cram every kid in the neighborhood into his '55 Ford and off we'd go. I'll post some pix as soon as I'm done with my current decal research project. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sig Saur & Son Posted October 29, 2010 Author Share Posted October 29, 2010 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Warlockpaul Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 (edited) Wow!! That was my last duty station back in 89-93.. That's when Mag 49 was still flying A-4's and CH-53's (We were the last tactical nuclear capable Squadron at that time). and the PANG had the A-10's and the Navy had P-3 Orions and the S3 Sea Knights ( I think).. I used to have to work those airshows setting up the explosive for the A-10 strafing and bombing demos for the crowds. We had to build the mock tanks and truck and put the fires out in the field from the blasts. Plus they were working on refurbishing a couple of old WWII aircraft for a museum or display for the base.( I think they had an ME 262 there). We would keep our ears open for when the Orions where going on deployment to Brunswick Maine for anti sub training. We would all take up a collection and have the crews get us some fresh live Main Lobsters. How they hid the coolers I have no clue. Then we have a huge Sea food boil and BBQ when they got back.. Of course we would invite them over to enjoy it as well.. It kept our contacts alive.. Edited October 30, 2010 by Warlockpaul Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Camelot_10 Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 I must say I can't wait to see some of the pics that get posted here. I grew at WG, was there all the time and have seen a fair share of stuff at the base, but that was only from the mid-90's up until today. It will be a sad, sad day when WG shuts down. I will try and get some pics uploaded on here, do I need to photobucket them? or can I directly upload them? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sig Saur & Son Posted November 1, 2010 Author Share Posted November 1, 2010 I must say I can't wait to see some of the pics that get posted here. I grew at WG, was there all the time and have seen a fair share of stuff at the base, but that was only from the mid-90's up until today. It will be a sad, sad day when WG shuts down. I will try and get some pics uploaded on here, do I need to photobucket them? or can I directly upload them? Yes, you'll have to use some kind of photo hosting sight. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
B-ONE27 Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 Keep the pics coming SIG, I just cant believe they are shutting the base down-I too had many a good time/memories at the Grove driving from Trenton-was one of the first bases to plant that seed for a life long love of military aviation!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sig Saur & Son Posted November 1, 2010 Author Share Posted November 1, 2010 (edited) http://www.airfighters.com/photo/40979/M/U...A-Orion/152146/ http://www.airfighters.com/photo/47087/M/U...sair-II/156874/ http://www.airfighters.com/photo/60042/M/U...Skyhawk/160024/ Edited November 1, 2010 by Sig Saur & Son Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 Nice collection so far ... It's always sad when a base close to the heart closes, that's how I felt when MCAS El Toro closed also ... Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
g0_command0 Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 http://www.airfighters.com/photo/40979/M/U...A-Orion/152146/ Excellent pics! I love P-3's!! but i think that P-3 is a P-3A and not a EP-3A Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sig Saur & Son Posted November 1, 2010 Author Share Posted November 1, 2010 (edited) Excellent pics! I love P-3's!! but i think that P-3 is a P-3A and not a EP-3A It is a P-3A. The file in my folder says P-3A. I must have filled in the field incorrectly. Thanks, that's a good catch. I'll have it changed. Edited November 1, 2010 by Sig Saur & Son Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waltz41 Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Here's the 'home' players from the last couple of years: VR-64 "Condors" VR-52 "Taskmasters" HMH-772 "Hustlers" 103rd FS, 111th FW PA ANG Quote Link to post Share on other sites
g0_command0 Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Whats the future plan for Willow Grove? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Phantom ordie Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Isn't there a museum? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sig Saur & Son Posted November 2, 2010 Author Share Posted November 2, 2010 (edited) The Grove will be turned over to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in September 2011, so who knows what will happen. The feds did the same thing with Fort Indiantown Gap and it was completely overhauled and is more active than ever. Yes there is a museum. When I was a kid, they displayed captured German and Japanese aircraft there. Of those, I think only the ME-262 remains the rest were returned, to the air and space museum I think. There used to be a Sea Dart on display too. Edited November 2, 2010 by Sig Saur & Son Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Camelot_10 Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 (edited) Here are a few of my pics from WG over the last few years, I would love to see more of your WG shots Dave... what is some of the rarest stuff you have seen at WG? VFA-32 Super Hornet (prior to being delivered to Oceana) landing runway 15: KC-135 from the PA ANG departing runway 15: VMFA-115 F/A-18 short final to 33: VFA-2 preflight: Winder 41 short final: A view down the line at The Grove: Edited January 30, 2011 by Camelot_10 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Collin Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 That little park across the street from the hogie place still open? It's right at the hold short area for the single runway. Loved flying out of the Grove.... driving up there from Pax River for drill weekends was a PITA though. Cheers Collin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Camelot_10 Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 Last F-14 at Willow Grove... Ready for Taxi: Nice departure: Last pass, baby!: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Camelot_10 Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 That little park across the street from the hogie place still open? It's right at the hold short area for the single runway. Loved flying out of the Grove.... driving up there from Pax River for drill weekends was a PITA though.Cheers Collin Collin, They closed that shortly after 9/11, sadly. That sure was a great place to hang out and see the aircraft and meet people aswell. Who did you fly with? One of the P-3 units? Judd Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Collin Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 Collin,They closed that shortly after 9/11, sadly. That sure was a great place to hang out and see the aircraft and meet people aswell. Who did you fly with? One of the P-3 units? Judd I used to run by it when I ran inside the fence and saw it when I went for a delicious hogie. Always noticed nobody was there. I jumped into the Reserve P-3 world when I got out of S-3's/B-1's on active duty. I was with VP-64 until they went VR...then I moved up to VP-92 in Brunswick. Both squadrons were great... Reserve flying was terrific. Cheers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sig Saur & Son Posted January 31, 2011 Author Share Posted January 31, 2011 The Navy has since taken back the F-14 and the ME-262. Last time I saw it, the ME was parked outside at the Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola. I think the Tomcat went to Great Lakes. The big yellow Xs will be painted on the runways soon. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waltz41 Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 (edited) The Navy has since taken back the F-14 and the ME-262. Last time I saw it, the ME was parked outside at the Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola. I think the Tomcat went to Great Lakes. The big yellow Xs will be painted on the runways soon. They did restore the 262 and put it inside, but that's been like 5 or more years ago........I'm hoping you just haven't seen it inside yet Dave and that they DIDN'T take it! The tomcat is gone, one day i was driving by and noticed I couldn't find the Jolly Roger tails..... :( Edited February 3, 2011 by Waltz41 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sig Saur & Son Posted February 3, 2011 Author Share Posted February 3, 2011 They did restore the 262 and put it inside, but that's been like 5 or more years ago........I'm hoping you just haven't seen it inside yet Dave and that they DIDN'T take it! The tomcat is gone, one day i was driving by and noticed I couldn't find the Jolly Roger tails..... :( I saw the ME-262 at the Pensacola Museum, parked outside. I certainly hope it has been moved inside before the Florida climate ruins it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waltz41 Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Here's some A-10 deployment pics: OIF 2008 return Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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