Tag Archives: Tulsa International Airport

Skywatch Friday – New Aircraft at the Tulsa Air and Space Museum

A few weeks ago, I found myself at the north side of the Tulsa International Airport and I noticed that the Tulsa Air and Space Museum had several new aircraft on their parking display so I checked it out.

A-10 Thunderbolt II - "Warthog" at Tulsa Air and Space Museum

First up is the iconic A-10 Thunderbolt, or “Warthog.” A legendary warplane built for ground support. It has a high speed cannon that runs almost the entire length of the plane and is designed as a tank killer. It has been around for decades.

"Gruman Gulfstream II-B/ G-1159B" Aircraft at Tulsa Air and Space Museum Halo II

Second up is Gruman Gulfstream II-B/ G-1159B Halo II. A modified civilian aircraft designed for research the US Missile Defense Agency. You know, secret spy type stuff.

1965 North American Rockwell NA-265-40 Sabreliner at Tulsa's Air and Space Museum

And third is a 1965 North American Rockwell NA-265-40 Sabreliner. A pilot named Bob Hoover flew this. He is famous in aviation circles for being the best pilot in aviation history. Here is his Wikipedia Listing. Talk about great stories in his wikipedia. My favorite is that he was taken prisoner by the Germans in World War II. He escaped and found his way to a German airfield and then took off on one of the planes and flew to Holland and landed inside allied lands. They should make a movie about that but nobody would believe him.

Tulsa International Airport - old control tower

Enough with the museum. I drove closer to the airport to check out the new control tower being built. Above is the existing 1959 vintage control tower. Looks kind of cute doesn’t it?

Senator James M. Inhofe Air Traffic Control Tower Complex

So just turned about 45 degrees to my left and took a photo, with the same magnification, of the new tower. Wow is wow is what I said.

Senator James M. Inhofe Air Traffic Control Tower Complex

Here it is magnified a little bit. It is huge. Looks like about seven stories tall at the top of the tower. What, are they selling condos? It is ginormous. Ginormous is a word in Oklahoma. We are easily impressed. What can I say?

I am linking with Skywatch Friday

You can go direct to the Inlinkz Linky Here