Felix Heads Home (Lots of Pix!)

Today is the big move - Felix 101, the Tomcat at FRG, is being moved to Grumman's Bethpage plant. As the first part of the move, she was lifted over the fence into the parking lot at the Airpower Museum. Tonight she gets towed to Bethpage. Here are some shots of the lift:

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/2...79_Swp64-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/2...98_F2D2W-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/2..._tp8qu-L-1.jpg

She was a little tail-heavy with all the internal equipment removed, so the crew added some weight to the forward compartments.
http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/2..._EG3z6-L-1.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/2..._YDkDX-L-1.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/2..._YgXnd-L-1.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/2..._Gbtsk-L-1.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/2..._CSCv2-L-1.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/2..._qEkdm-L-1.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/2..._rE7j4-L-1.jpg

Turn signals for a Tomcat!
http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/2..._LDxHA-L-1.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/2..._Xgcbn-L-1.jpg

Thanks for posting this Moose. I was there yesterday and was wondering how they would get it out of the airport property - I figured there must be a large gate somwehere.

I am tempted to go take a look at the move tonight.

So it's actually going to roll through the streets?

Great coverage!
It is so different to see a beast of a plane like that in the third photo being lifted by the crane like that.

See ya in Bethpage Felix 101!

Being there today and actually helping with the move i have to say was one of the most memorable things i have been thru since i started working at FRG!.. trying to hold that rope and stop it from swinging was def a good workout for the week!

That grey canopy certainly looks a heck of a lot better than the blue one.

nice shots moose. from that angle, she looked like she was coming under her own power.

I was out all day and night, Moose an I had a great day...Now I just need sleep!
Here are a few quickies from the thousands of shots! ;)

http://derf.smugmug.com/photos/290741623_MTWp4-M.jpg

http://derf.smugmug.com/photos/290741644_nQMCK-M.jpg

Last ever Tomcat Sunset in Farmingdale
http://derf.smugmug.com/photos/290741671_WNFCM-M.jpg

http://derf.smugmug.com/photos/290741690_emHcy-M.jpg

http://derf.smugmug.com/photos/290741719_TDDey-M.jpg

http://derf.smugmug.com/photos/290741753_tyYvi-M.jpg

http://derf.smugmug.com/photos/290741791_VsWzE-M.jpg

http://derf.smugmug.com/photos/290741838_k6wKJ-M.jpg

http://derf.smugmug.com/photos/290741872_d9Jha-M.jpg

http://derf.smugmug.com/photos/290741911_F3bk3-M.jpg

http://derf.smugmug.com/photos/290741943_egQWA-M.jpg

http://derf.smugmug.com/photos/290741975_uzVNB-M.jpg

OK, no sleep and I got to go to work in 2 hours! UGH!!!!

Great coverage!

What time of night was it moved?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mirrodie

Great coverage!

What time of night was it moved?

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It started rolling around 2am, about an hour later than originally planned. We pulled into the Bethpage plant around 4:15am.

How far is it from FRG to the factory? Why didn't they put it on a truck?

Great shots Moose and Fred - nice to be there for a little history!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GothamSpotter

How far is it from FRG to the factory? Why didn't they put it on a truck?

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The route they took was just at 8 miles. I think they would have had some clearance problems with traffic lights if it was up higher on a trailer, and since the gear were good, it made sense to tow it.

After a very little bit of sleep, here are some of my shots from last night,

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/2...43_ZGp2g-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/2...37_Rw5FP-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/2...76_iUXJQ-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/2...73_2AtNa-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/2...86_67Xx5-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/2...88_YqM4G-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/2...25_BeorW-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/2...25_dn8Eu-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/2...45_E4thv-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/2...95_5JSjE-L.jpg

An interesting footnote - Bay Crane, the company that did the move, also moved the Concorde onto the Intrepid and to Floyd Bennett Field.

Great shots guys, thanks for posting them.

Bill