Aero Commanders and Turbo Commanders

[bilwor]

Rockwell 690B Turbo Commander XB-HMO State of Sonora KTUS 11/17/11


Rockwell 690B Turbo Commander XB-HMO   KTUS 11/17/11

[Jeff D. Welker]

[Jeff D. Welker]

MEDICAL COMMANDER

[Barry Griffiths]

 
Rockwell Turbo Commander 690 XA-HBA (Mexico) by Barry Griffiths, on Flickr

[Jay Beckman]

The "Supreme Commander"
(for those times when just a Commander won't do...)

[Jeff D. Welker]

The "Supreme Commander"
(for those times when just a Commander won't do...)

Shame on Jan for not waving to you and Rob as she went by. If my friend becomes governor, I'll make sure he is more cordial to AzAP shooters. Since he's a pilot, maybe he'll spend some time relaxing in the left seat of this bad boy 

[Joe Copalman]

A wing-dip TOWARD the photographers is the standard "Vote Quimby!" maneuver.  Make sure he knows that.

[Jeff D. Welker]

As I was traveling to Riverside and the March Field Air Museum, I decided to take a circuitous route. I'd not been through Twentynine Palms in some time, so I wandered through that part of the California desert. As I was passing by the humble Twentynine Palms Airport (KTNP), I noticed an interesting looking airframe. I stopped to take a closer look and grab a few photographs. A pilot working on his plane nearby told me this Aero Commander 520 (N19KD) had an interesting story. Apparently it was owned by a fellow called the "Polishing Guru" who sold some type of airplane polishing paste/wax and related services. According to this fellow, he used the 520 as a billboard for his products/services and had a regular ad in various "airplane trader" rags for many years. Besides the polished aluminum, it also has brass platted accents in various locations. Unfortunately, someone removed (without asking permission) the brass-platted spinners and nose piece. Time, neglect, and the California sun has taken its toll. All things considered, it still looks darn good. It would appear that the "Polishing Guru" wasn't selling snake oil 

If you're ever by this location, it is a photographer friendly airport. They let me walk wherever I wanted on the ramp. I really like the lines on this 520 much more than the latter versions. Too bad it is such a money pit. It would be a cool plane to see in the air and I'm guessing it would quickly become a fixture at places like the Coolidge breakfast fly-in.

[Jay Beckman]

Nice find Jeff.

[Dave S.]

As I was traveling to Riverside and the March Field Air Museum, I decided to take a circuitous route. I'd not been through Twentynine Palms in some time, so I wandered through that part of the California desert. As I was passing by the humble Twentynine Palms Airport (KTNP),...

Just going through some old threads when I came upon Jeff's post regarding 29 Palms.  A bit nostalgic for me, as that's where I began taking flight lessons, way back when I stationed at the base a few miles north of the airport.  Flew in a late '50's 172.  No vacuum pump, just a venturi on the side that only created suction once you got some speed.  Not sure if it's still the case, but the airport had no taxiway down to the east end of the runway, so you back taxied down the runway, making doubly extra sure there was no one on final, nor any gliders in the pattern.

[AerialSphere]

If anyone has any pics of N503RT, a 1959 Aero Commander 500, I'd sure be interested in them (new or old).  My family owned the aircraft in the 80's and kept it at CHD.  I have heard it's been spotted still in the local area.

This shot circa '85

[Anna M. Wood]

If anyone has any pics of N503RT, a 1959 Aero Commander 500, I'd sure be interested in them (new or old).  My family owned the aircraft in the 80's and kept it at CHD.  I have heard it's been spotted still in the local area.

This shot circa '85

DJ,  It is still at Chandler, in one of the hangars.  Ask around where Don Pew's hangar is there.  My husband, Len, can't remember what the hangar number is but could show you if you ever run into him out there.

[Brian Lockett]

Sunrise Air Transportation Rockwell Commander 600B N260WE at Sky Harbor on August 26, 2018.