Historical Photos

[Dave S.]

Jeff,

Hoping you will post some more historical photos from your father's collection soon...

Here here and dilly dilly, Anna is not the only one enjoying these historical photos.

[Jeff D. Welker]

Jeff,

Hoping you will post some more historical photos from your father's collection soon...

Here here and dilly dilly, Anna is not the only one enjoying these historical photos.

Thank you Dave.  Here are a couple of photos of my Uncle Sam from WWII.  The first was taken during some training he had in Florida.  The second was taken with his beloved P-40.  The same airframe he was KIA during a dog fight in China.

[Anna M. Wood]

Thank you Jeff....  We all look forward to seeing what other treasures are in your father's archives.   

[Dave S.]

Thank you Dave.  Here are a couple of photos of my Uncle Sam from WWII.  The first was taken during some training he had in Florida.  The second was taken with his beloved P-40.  The same airframe he was KIA during a dog fight in China.

Wow Jeff, you have some amazing aviation history in your family.  Thanks for sharing.  Really do appreciate and enjoy viewing your images.

[Jeff D. Welker]

My apologies if I've posted this somewhere on AzAP before.  I could not find it anywhere on the site, so I'm posting today.  Dad's squadron getting all fancy on a rainy morning at the ANG base at Sky Harbor.  In the 1960's the Copperheads were ready to intercept.  To help orient you to this location at PHX, the centerline of RWY 7R/25L would run right through the main hangar in this photo.  My dad's humble office and photolab was on the second floor of that hangar.  The 2000 aerial below shows the construction of 7R/25L and that old hangar before it was demolished.

[Jeff D. Welker]

While out at the Coolidge breakfast fly-in, I made the acquaintance of a gentleman (ex Army Vietnam pilot) that is on a quest to document the history of the Coolidge Army Airfield.  He has a hangar at Coolidge and we talked for about 30-minutes.  I took some photos of the display he had next to his airplane.  I've attached those photos below and also posted on the Coolidge thread.  Terrific stuff.

[wingsnstuff]

Jeff, what years did you go to High School and where?  1963 - 1967 for me, Cortez High School in the West Valley.  Football, Wrestling, Track and Baseball.

[Joe Copalman]

Not sure how I missed that post with the Coolidge photos Jeff, but that is some awesome stuff.

[Jeff D. Welker]

On 14 Sept 1957, an AD-5N Skyraider out of MCAS El Toro crashed at Sky Harbor on the old RWY 26L, which is now designated as RWY 25R.  My father was on duty at the time and took crash scene photos.  His notes to not indicate the cause of the crash; however, photo v.4 would seem to be taken precisely because it was a part of the puzzle.  His notes also do not indicate the extent of any injuries to the pilots. In image v.3, you can see the old ANG hangar and Terminal 1 tower in the background.  I believe Dad took these photos with his trusty USAF issued Graflex Speed Graphic 4x5 camera.

SKYRAIDER CRASH v.1 - Phoenix, AZ by Jeff D. Welker, on Flickr

SKYRAIDER CRASH v.2 - Phoenix, AZ by Jeff D. Welker, on Flickr

SKYRAIDER CRASH v.3 - Phoenix, AZ by Jeff D. Welker, on Flickr

SKYRAIDER CRASH v.4 - Phoenix, AZ by Jeff D. Welker, on Flickr

SKYRAIDER CRASH v.5 - Phoenix, AZ by Jeff D. Welker, on Flickr

[Chris Janes]

Jeff,
Very intriguing photos. I always like getting a glimpse of the past especially when there is some type of personal story to go along with it.

[Brian Corbett]

Jeff, the images you post are truly fascinating. Your father did and saw some amazing things! Please continue putting up the scans, as all of us will never stop enjoying them!

[Matt Ottosen]

Jeff, I love seeing your dad's historical photos, keep them coming!

[Jeff D. Welker]

Jeff, the images you post are truly fascinating. Your father did and saw some amazing things! Please continue putting up the scans, as all of us will never stop enjoying them!

Jeff, I love seeing your dad's historical photos, keep them coming!

Jeff,
Very intriguing photos. I always like getting a glimpse of the past especially when there is some type of personal story to go along with it.

Thank you for the kind words gentlemen.  Here are a few more for your enjoyment.  Dad took these in 1950 when he was stationed a Luke.  The AZ ANG was initially stationed at Luke and then moved to PHX a few years later.

[Tower Guy]

Beautiful set of photos Jeff. I may have been on the tower catwalk when these were shot. 

[Brian Corbett]

Thank you for the kind words gentlemen.  Here are a few more for your enjoyment.  Dad took these in 1950 when he was stationed a Luke.  The AZ ANG was initially stationed at Luke and then moved to PHX a few years later.

This shot is amazing. Even if it was staged, you would never know it (was it??). Your dad captured the essence of scramble.