Evergreen Aviation Museum, McMinnville, OR.The Evergreen Aviation Museum, McMinnville, OR., has recently reconditioned A-4E Skyhawk, BUNO 152070. It is painted it in the VA-46 Clansmen colors from the USS Forrestal WESTPAC cruise of 1967. The MODEX used on the airplane is that of AA 416, BUNO 149996, which was lost in the fire aboard Forrestal that year. The display, dedicated to those who lost their lives in the fire, was unveiled in a Veterans Day ceremony at the museum. The USS Forrestal Association Historian, Ken Killmeyer, put me in touch with the museum's curator, Ben Kristy, with whom I corresponded concerning facts surrounding the 1967 accident. During those discussions, I decided to travel to Oregon to attend the event. Later, Ben honored me with an invitation to speak to the audience from the perspective of my experiences in the A-4 and as a Forrestal fire survivor. The A-4E is a beautiful restoration and along with many other historic airplanes, is nestled under the wings of Howard Hugh's famous Spruce Goose seaplane. Glass display cases offer information on the airplane, as well as the USS Forrestal Fire. Future plans call for expanding the historical data and artifacts from the shipboard accident. Shortly after arriving at the museum, I had the pleasure of meeting the men who restored the Skyhawk at the Evergreen facility in Phoenix, AZ, Mike McDougall and Mike Searle. It was fun to note that the first Commanding Officer of the Clansmen happened also to be a “McDougal," who used his family tartan for the squadron patch and airplanes. Expressing my gratitude for such an accurate restoration, especially the detail in the tartan from those years, I discovered that the primary source for the 1967 paint scheme was the Skyhawk Association's web site. Last year, as the VA-46 "SDO" for the Skyhawk site, I had posted historical information, including graphics of the trademark tartan, as seen on the squadron's airplanes. It was both gratifying to know that my research had contributed to the accuracy of the restoration and ironic that I was also a guest speaker for the event. It is also indicative of the value of the Skyhawk Association's web site and their work to preserve the heritage of the A-4. A number of USS Forrestal veterans attended the ceremony, some of who had been aboard during the fire. It was a special day to have this homage paid to them and their former shipmates. Before an audience of more than two hundred, I was humbled to speak for so many who suffered and those who died. It was also with mixed emotions that I spoke. The A-4 was such a great airplane to fly and I spent so many thrilling hours yanking it around the sky. However, it was a somber moment as I stood in front of this replica from my combat cruise, abruptly halted by the tragic accident of July 29, 1967. I spoke to both issues and was overwhelmed by a standing ovation and positive response from the audience. We Forrestal veterans later joined in a group around the base of the airplane and cut the unveiling ribbon. The Evergreen Museum has become a very special place for Naval Aviation and the men of USS Forrestal. Dave Dollarhide USS Forrestal/VA-46    |