Photo 310988 - US Army Beech Musketeer identity issue

PeterNicholson

In October 1978 I saw this aircraft at El Paso International Airport and the serial number is bogus. The serial 72-0002 was assigned to a General Dynamics F-111D which was cancelled.

As the image shows, this Musketeer is marked as "Target Missile" and I have been unable to trace any information about it.

I seek the assistance of forum visitors and enqire if anyone knows more about this aircraft.

Best regards.

Peter

Bluedharma

Direct Link to the photo in question.

by Peter Nicholson @ ELP

http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/photo/310988.html

Nice photo!

DougRobertson

I believe the photographed aircraft is a false painted "warbird". My definitive Beechcraft reference listing all Musketeer and variants production does not show any U.S. Army contract production of any Musketeer or any of its variants-Musketeer II, Custom III, Sundowner 180, Sport 150, Sport III, Musketeer Super R, Musketeer Super R III, Sierra 200. These were the popular names of all Beech production of the model 23, 24, A23A, B23, C23, A23-19, 19A, M19A, B19, A23-24, A24, A24R, B24R and C24R. None were built after 1983. Beech did build 20 Musketeer Sport models for the Fuerza Aerea Mexicana delivered in 1970. In 1972 the Canadian Armed Forces took delivery of 25 Musketeers, replacing DeHavilland DH-1 Chipmunk primary trainers.

PeterNicholson

Thanks, Doug Robertson, for your comments and they mirror my own understandings. Soon after I saw this Musketeer I identified the serial as bogus and have been unable to establish the identity ever since.

My internet searches proved negative and I wondered if anyone viewing the site could provide an answer.

Thanks for the opportunity to invite comments and I have now filed the image in my Photo Gallery under "Warbirds other than Airshows/Museums".

Best regards.

Peter

DougRobertson

Peter, I am not sure I follow your logic. I still believe the aircraft is a falsely painted aircraft (pseudo-warbird) that would bear a Beech production serial number. I wouldn't place it in a Warbird category if it were my photo. I had a similar photo of a Cessna 150 in USAF livery recently, but it bears a legible N number, a Cessna production serial number, and not a true military contract serial number. The aircraft also bore a serial number that had a 150- prefix, with the rest of the Cessna production serial number. There are no year 150 military contract numbers, as yet-actually difficult to conceive in a 100 year century series.

PeterNicholson

Doug, thanks for your comments and, on reflection, I have moved the image in my Gallery to the Beech section of "General Aviation - Single-Engine".

I appreciate your input.

Best regards.

Peter