WIX Archives

Hawkins, Texas restoration shop

Posted by Rob Mears on Thu Sep 04, 2003 11:26:32 PM

I made another visit to Bob Schneider's restoration shop located in downtown Hawkins, Texas. This is a tiny little town just north of Tyler where I accidentally happened across a large cashe of warbirds about twelve years ago.

Back then the large hangar had not been constructed, and all that existed was an old 1950s-era brick gas station (complete with old pumps) that was being used to restore a Hawker Hurricane. The ajacent area where the hangar now resides was a large open field back then, and there were a number of warbirds stored outside including a PBY, TBM, Bleheim, UH-1 Huey, and seven French Nord trainers (similar to Chipmunks). A year or so later when the hangar was built, the TBM was relocated inside and the fuselages of three P-40's appeared as well. There was also an F9F Panther. Keep in mind this is all located in a little one-stoplight town with no local airport :) Just the surreal presence of a hangar down on main street.

Today I discovered an F-111 sitting in the weeds out back behind the hangar. It was the only aircraft left at the site. The hangar and the little gas station held only a couple of classic cars and metal working machines. I'm suppoing the F-111 is slated to be refurbished for a museum somewhere. It looked to be in great condition despite having its paint stripped. There were various numbers stenciled on the fuselage, but none that resembled a Bureau Number or serial number.

Here are a couple of shots of the scene as it was today about 5pm.

http://community.webshots.com/user/bunker17

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