Frankenstein---"I'm telling you Frank. It's no sweat. She has never been out with a bomber pilot before."

Pope in hat with Red Dog---"Red Dog at our wedding getting ready to hear the Pope's confession!"

Red Dog listening to the Pope on his knees, looks up and says "My God he's taking the Fifth!!"

2007 - New Years Card from Dagmar 'N Suitcase

Suitcase's Appleknocker

by Frank  Mormillo
PHOTOJOURNALIST

On June 17, 2005, The Western Museum of Flight, Hawthorne, CA, celebrated the roll-out of its restoration project with a small dinner party in honor of its sponsor and pilot of the aircraft which is represented in the picture. Attending the dinner party was the Commanding Officer of the 35th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter Bomber Wing, Suwon, Korea, who assigned the pilot 52-4401 in February, 1953. Lt. Simpson flew 61 close air support missions in the aircraft.

According to David Hart, historian, the restoration centered around a Japanese Air Self Defense Force aircraft. This particular F-86F was number 122 in a series of 280 built for the JASDF, and was the last in its inventory. The Sabre was used in retirement ceremonies  that the JASDF had for their F-86's, 15 March, 1982. It was obtained by the WMOF in 1997 and arrived in pieces.

The volunteer restoration foreman, Mr. Dana Muelot, and his many assistants, worked for over a year to present the Museum with an EXACT replica including communicating  with Japan for the proper decals and their location.

Mr. Muelot, also a combat aircraft painter, presented the pilot with a painting of exceptional brightness and clarity, as of a cut and polished stone.