May, USA Finally another roadmovie with my two crazy friends. This time we took it one step further and flew to the States. In Tucson, Arizona we rented a Jeep Liberty oneway and headed for the deserts. The "Pushtruck Desert Tour 2008" were to begin.


Day 1
Flying ARN-LHR with British A320 and a reasonable time for terminal transfer and mandatory USA security check. We soon found out the views from American gates were rather limited and walked further out among the gates. We thought it was a little strange that we as departing passengers after all the security were mixed with the arriving passengers... Answer came when we walked back after getting bored on the views, the transfer corridor we used on the way out gave us the simple message "No entry". Now we suddenly were arriving passengers for the second time within a few hours, now in a little hurry as we once again had to make the long distance, security checks and the long distance back again. Arriving at the security check it was no problem to pass the queue, same security guard as before (quite surprised to see us once again!) and then off to our gate in time for boarding without having to wait!


LHR-ORD with American Airlines 777 was a nice experience. Real friendly staff, propably some 100 years old (!) but with a great mind of service. The 777 was a nice machine to fly as well, smooth and quiet. No problem to fall asleep... Arriving in Chicago where extremly crappy weather welcomed us. The few hours transfer here were spent looking at American Eagles Embraers in loads. We couldn't wait to arrive at the sunny side of the states and a fair amount of pictures were taken through glass and with this dull weather.


ORD-TUS were operated by American Airlines MD-80 and we arrived late evening. We picked up our rental car and made some midnight recognition at Hamilton to get something to dream about for tomorrow like a ZeroG 727 and what appeared to be a Ukrainian MD-80.


Then off to Ryan field. We decided to sleep in the car the first night as it was only some few hours til dawn. We parked next to the DC-4 apron, made some decal works on the car and slept well...



Day 2

  
Roadmap

After a good night sleep (can be discussed...) we had enough light to start our photo session. With a tight schedule we decided not to wait for the perfect sunny side shots of the DC-4s and we were soon off back to Tucson and Hamilton Aviations famous apron.


Much candy parked close but with sun against us and extreme amount off ground clutter, our visit didn't give that much of quality pictures. Many interesting highlights barely visible and no ramp access gave us a frustrating start. Around the corner though we found the Flying Hospital L1011 as well as the first of three Caravelles to be passed on our tour. Before we set off for Pima we drove around to the terminal side of Tucson and got a sole 732 from Sierra Pacific.


Arriving at Pima a while before opening gave us some time to drive along the fences at Davis Monthan alowing some views of more or less scrapped KC-135's. Then back to Pima Museum and it  sure was a great exhibition. Off course the airliners and bigger military ones were the highlights here but there were a large amount of interesting fighters I never saw before. Also a large number of remarkable designs like the Budd Conestoga, the worlds first (and only?) aircraft in stainless steel, shotwelded! If I wouldn't be in the DSLR-world nowadays, much would have been passed without pictures but now we walked row up and down getting almost everything. Impressive sight with the latest addition to the collection being the "Six turning - Four burning" B-36 Peacemaker. Huge one - really! The Caravelle was represented here by the ex Aero Service / Good Year aircraft. This was the first Caravelle delivered to United Airlines. After a very time-effective tour of the museum we had some minutes brake before the bus to AMARC left.


Unfortunately the bus had tinted windows and no possibility to open up anything. Again thankful for not having any filmcosts and large amounts of Hercules, KC-135/137 and P-3 Orions were pictured. The "Celebrity road" where one of each type were kept offered among others the only DC-8 used by the Navy. In total the area kept not more than 4400 aircrafts at the time and even though we couldn't get more than a small part of this, the sight was rather impressive with rows of Galaxys and Starlifters waiting its fate and large numbers of F-16's and other fighters being cocooned.


When back from the bustour we drove off to some of the private scrapyards around Davis Monthan. We found some Albatros amphibians at one place and then a bunch of C-117's and C-130's as well as a P-3 doing some predelivery checks before going to Brasilian AF.


On the way to Phoenix we had some mandatory stops to attend. First out Avra Valley, former home of a Constellation society. The field had been fenced recently and the two Connies left as well as some DC-4 firefighters were not within range from outside. Seemed to be a big setback for us but we found a worker with great hospitality who let us in. A rather quick walk up to the propliners before we were off again.


Next stop Marana, home of Everett. Hospitality once being great here but very hard nowadays to get ramp access. We found a perimeter road at the far side of the runway offering very limited views of the higlights parked. Great anyway to see the second Supertanker.


Chandler Memorial, in the middle of nowhere, also turned out to be a huge disapointment. The axeman left almost nothing of the large amount of propliners used to be withdrawn here. Some sad looking ex Biegert DC-4s were just about it. It  was my first time in the region so everything was new to me but at Avra my friends didn't take a single picture...


Finally arriving at Phoenix in the afternoon and we found out the parking decks on each side of the crossing taxiways were still accesible. Everything perfect then... except the fact we had a cloudy sky... in Phoenix... Now the hunt for Southwest could begin, with approx 450 of them to catch! We set the first goal to 100 but imediatly raised it to 150 as being a reasonable level for this trip.


We found a Motel in Phoenix and a late evening walk searching for food and beer was carried out before we went to bed.

Total amount of Southwest so far - 18.


Day 3

  
Roadmap

After yet a good night sleep we made an early start looking for the local Subway in order to get some breakfast. Turned out it was not that easy but we finally made it and from now on every morning started with a "foot long" sandwich. We also made sure to locate a Subway in the evenings. Then off to the morning parkingdeck and we stayed at the rooftop all morning.


When the sun were at highest we decided to tour the nearby fields, starting with Goodyear. Here we found an A340 being turned into scrap as well as some British AIrways A320's in sad states. But we started along the fence next to the stored aircrafts. The old DC-7 were still here waiting for it's flight to God. Seems they still hadn't got the "sign". A couple of MD-80's and 727's also here but the highlights were the VIP DC-8-72 and GirJet 747F. The latter one visited one of my home airports when still operating but I only heard about it afterwards. Now being on american register but still in full colors. Also parked here were the former Skybus fleet of A320's but on the active ramp far from reach with the extreme heathaze.


Then continuing to Mesa Falcon Field where we found some Douglas props, Grumman amphibians and a couple of bizjets. New fences all around this airport didn't make life easier for us.


Back to Phoenix for the afternoon session. More Southwests and US Airways, this time from the other parkingdeck. The sun that always shine here once again let us down partially and we finished earlier than planned.


Same motel in Phoenix hosted us tonight.

Total amount of Southwest so far - 80.


Day 4

  
Roadmap

Today yet another day on the roads. We started with the morning rush hours at Phoenix before rolling towards Las Vegas. On the way out from the airport we made a quick stop next to the terminal where Honeywells old flagship, the 720 were still parked. Not offering any good views and maybe yesterdays photos across the runways were better? We heard the aircraft was scrapped some months later.


From here the roads climbed higher and the scenery around us became more and more alike the swedish woods. With elevation well over 6000ft and huge snowy mountains around us, we made a stop at Flagstaff airport.


The only movement we saw being a Dash 8 from US Airways (one we saw this morning in PHX). Some bizjets and an amphipian were also present but otherwise pretty lame.


Kingman became the next big disapointment. This was the only airport we got an answer from before our trip. They told us they were "between fleets" and we now understood they really meant it. Except for some DHL 727's and TriStars on the far side, being parked here for years already, the only thing left of the masses of aircrafts used to be here seemed to be some Do328's and 146's. A sole DC-4 and some Canadair firefighters were nailed before we were off again, now heading for Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. Another thing, when driving in the desert, make sure to use the gas stations you see. Don't think you will make it to the next one...


A small glance of the Canyon in the far distance but the Hoover Dam was something extraordinary. The impressive sight of this huge complex was highlighted with the bridge they are building over the gap. Waterlevel in the dam was pretty low at the moment so I guess they had a rather dry period. We were now running on fumes and luckily our expectations of a gas station next to Hoover Dam was true...


Boulder City Municipal being the home of Scenic's Twin Otters. New fence once again cut our way of great photos. At least one of the odd looking DH's were partly outside. They have large panorama windows, looks like nothing else!


We arrived in Las Vegas late afternoon and already from great distance you could see the remarkable skyline of The Strip. Eifeltower, Space Needle and many other remarkable buildings. We made some recognition next to Las Vegas Sands apron wishing to see at least one of their 747SP's but only a Gulfstream and BBJ were visible. We drove to the other side of the field, took a while, it's a rather large airport nowadays. Arriving the runway end just in time to miss Las Vegas Sands 767 but waiting until dusk at least gave a Hawaiian 767 and a Philippine A340 with some bizjets arriving in the meentime.


We checked in to one of the older, smaller motels in the beginning of The Strip, just next to the famous "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign. The motel was called Diamond Inn and a large pink elephant welcomed us at the entrance. Everything here was painted in pink and babyblue... We walked part of The Strip in the evening looking for dinner but didn't stay up long.

Total amount of Southwest so far - 128.


Day 5
With rwy 25L in use for arrivals we positioned us at the approach after checking the northern part of the huge airport. Weather was not 100% clear here in Vegas either and some high clouds disturbed us during the day. Despite this, the temperature was above what I would call nice. Thats how it is in the desert... Large amount of bizjets coming in but nothing really spectacular. The 737-200 of EG&G were all at their parkings and didn't move at all during our stay. Huge disapointment as was the lack of Las Vegas Sands VIPfleet...


In the evening we decided to check The Strip and some of the casinos. You can't go to Vegas without gambling and in Mandalay Bay I lost my 5 dollars but now I've at least gambled! We went further down The Strip passing Luxor and turned out to be just in time for one of the shows from Bellagio's fountain's. Spectacular!!! Continuing via Venetian with its gondols inside next to the alleys of shopping under an artificial daylight heaven, passing an Eifel tower, Statue of Liberty and then came to Treasure Island. Enjoying a big Scull of Frozen Margerita whilst waiting for the Sirens of TI to give their show on the pirateships. Even more spectacular than the fountains... We took a taxi back the 3,5km we walked (plus all walking inside the casinos). Slept well some few hours before dawn.


Same motel hosted us tonight.

Total amount of Southwest so far - 201.


Day 6

  
Roadmap

Early morning wake up call. Breakfast at Subway off course! Tuff shit, the Subway we located at The Strip yesterday was a late opening one. And then, when you are in desperate need of it, suddenly all Subway restaurnts turn out to be well hidden. We couldn't find a single one... Well most problems solves at the end and we were soon, after some recognition, positioned next to rwy 25R. From here we had really good view of the lineups and with very short awacs landings on 25L were in reach as well.


When the sun had moved to much and morning rush was over, we moved to the same spot as yesterday. The heat exceeded yesterdays levels and early afternoon the sign next to us topped at 113F (didn't get that on picture though) which is 45C. Pretty painful even if the car had AC, it didn't manage this heat. Clear blue sky, many bizjets and some odd companies mixed the amount of Southwest, Continental, Delta and Alaska. We stayed here until 4pm before leaving bound for Victorville. After a whille we realized that sun dropped rather quickly and it was approx 300km from Vegas.


We arrived at Victorville just before sunset finding out that we faced all aprons directly into the sun. Good thing at this hour that sun was almost gone! We found a number of TriStars and some 757's within reach but it sure was frustrating to see the large number of ex Delta TriStars in the far distance. They were aimed for an Air Force tanker project which later was cancelled. Quite surprised also to see the former Air Luxor TriStar in one of the hangars, being worked on. This one used to be stored at Amsterdam after blowing up one engine.


From Victorville we had another 120km to Mojave where we found Best Motel, another cheap one just next to the airport! After checking in our number one target was the local Subway for tomorrows breakfast (this time also checking the opening hours).  Then off to one of the local roadrestaurants along the street. A decent meal and some beers before going to bed.

Total amount of Southwest so far - 296.

 
Day 7

  
Roadmap

After a good nights sleep in the motel, not being sure about ramp access, we looked for perimeter roads (or maybe should say "off roads" along the storage line. We got some kind of pictures of most aircrafts on the short term parking. The more interesting ones like the CV880s and stuff were not within reach from here though.


We drove to the airport office and found out they still arranged tours with photopossibilities. Nowadyas they don't let you out of the car but we could at least drive with the door open. Our driver told us we could take pictures of everything unless said otherwise. Very promising start! First aircraft we passed obviously included in this category were the DC-9 N932ML of US Navy. Then we toured the short term parking getting better pictures of everything we took from the perimeter earlier. After this we headed for the most interesting area with the APSA CV990, TWA CV880 and the Aero California DC-9 fleet. Almost there our driver brifly told us this whole area were a non photography site. HUGE disapointment!!! Reason being the private owner of this site had bad experience of its customers being published in magazines with partly scrapped aircrafts associated with their logos. We realised it was no idea to discuss this further although I don't think APSA (shut down in 1971) would have something against photos of their Coronado... Anyway, we were at least able to get the Stargazer TriStar which was a real highlight! Worth noticing that some swedish fighters are still represented at Mojave. Two stored Lansen and a couple of Drakens operating as trainers for airforce pilots!


Being famous for Lockheeds Skunk Works projects (U-2, SR-71 and F-117 )as well as being the home of Lockheed TriSta, Palmdale ended up on our schedule. Not much to be seen here for civilians but a small museum near the entrance hosts some SR-71s, B-52, C-46 and a NASA Jetstar. Decided not worth wasting time and money on entrance fees, we just walked the museums fence.


Van Nuys is the home of the third and final Caravelle we were supposed to get on this trip. We soon found out this was a really tuff airport without ramp access. Many pappstrutar (light aircrafts) and bizjets parked almost on top of each other. Heat haze on everything and far distance to everything. The Caravelle were still there and was recently striped with advertisement for some TVshow on one side.


Next stop was Bob Hope Airport. Rather busy bizjet traffic and some Southwest, JetBlue and US Airways. We arrived in the middle of the lunchpeak and after the movements we continued towards Ontario.


Ontario is a huge UPS base but there were else to be found here as well. Some prehistorical BAe 125's, a freighter 727, a Mexican 737 and some ordinary airliner traffic. Turned out that UPS apron were surrounded by high walls giving less angles to choose from. DC-8s not within range, one MD-11 barely acceptable and the only ones free of clutter being a 757 and a 767. Both types operates at my homebase...


Chino announced they had an airshow the days before. Didn't help us coming now... A Convair prop welcomed us at the entrance and a DC-3 in old PSA colors by the "Planes of Fame". During the airshow a flying Convair as well as a Martin 404 had been their but not visible at this time. After trying to navigate to the far side of the airport finding out our GPSmap didn't know about the new community built in the area, we finally found a maintenance area with some bizjets and a 727. The nozzles mounted on one of the Gulfstreams parked here was one of the worst I've ever seen. They definetly matched the ones used on the 1-11...


Another airport we passed was San Bernardino, former AFB, where no activities at all were seen. Some lonely 727's were parked here and we climbed at rusty ladder giving us great view of the aircrafts.


Unfortunately we arrived at March AFB after the closure of the museum. Here some great military transport aircrafts are to be found. Some pictures from the fence but as it was double most part and lots of trees in the way, only a few aircrafts were pictured before setting off again. Still a long way to drive before sunset.


On the GPS we found French Valley, another field not on our schedule. Some wingclipped Twin Otters and a Piaggio to be seen here before we drove to the mexican border.


We read before about a 747SP parked in Tijuana. We also studied pictures of the aircraft at home in order to find the best plan for photographing. With a rental car you can not leave the country. A walk from the border crossing could be an idea but you don't want to leave the car unattended that near the border and walking from the border crossing in an industrial area didn't really fancy our thoughts. Some of the pictures we saw on the net were taken from the USA side of the border and with the sun quickly falling from the sky we made some recognition along the border fence before finally giving up with this picture as the only result.


Just north of Tijuana you can find Brown Field Municipal. Hospitality once again and gates were opened. Not much to get but two Twin Otters, a Learjet and a Gulfstream were simply bonus for our long journey down to Mexico...


We decided to drive to San Diego this eveining for maybe take some of the morning rush next day. The weather seemed a little unstable though so we left the decision for tomorrow. Some recognision was carried out and some lousy shots at ISO 800 (1/25s) before we checked in to a nearby motel and walked to a nice little pub enjoying a great dinner and some beers.


Total amount of Southwest so far  - 302.



Day 8

  
Roadmap

With extremly bad weather in San Diego we decided to move on. Our goal today was LAX and on the way we passed Long Beach. This used to be home of the DC-9 and the famous sign were still present at the productionhangar. Nowadays all civil production is down since the cancellation of the 717program. They are now building the military transporter C-17 and we saw predelivery aircrafts for both USAF and RAF.


Weather was still crappy when we arrived to famous Bird Restaurant next to rwy 25L. Approaching aircrafts in dull weather with bright background is the worst ever situation and we soon moved to rwy 25R instead. After some recognition we found a parking deck from where we could get both approaches and lineups. After the Qantas A330 arrival we decided to move back to rwy 25L. Weather cleared up for a while and we got some nice sunny shots. With the sun came the heathaze and unfortunately the ferry of a Southern Air 747 came in rwy 25R. Can't get'em all...


More clouds came in and made our photosession lousy once again. We then decided to check the aprons on the south side before stopping at Imperial Hill. The World 747BCF as well as two 727's from Champion Air were great to get. The latter company were about to close business some weeks after our trip.


Arriving at Imperial Hill just after the China Eastern A340 in special colors passed. Well we got it when it taxied back but distance were longer by then. We stayed for a short while before getting bored with the crappy weather and distance to the runway. We decided to check out the aprons on the west side between the runways. No luck at all here, fences and buildings carefully blocking every corner. We decided to find some accomodation for our LAX-period instead. Found a small motel next to the approach for rwy 24L/R.


After settled in our motel, we made some more recognition. It was still too early to give up photographing. We found a multilevel carpark belonging to a hotel nearby the approach offering good views. Took maybe 30min before security kicked us out of there. Not reasonable at all, no understanding of our hobby, simply explaining the hotels guests were worried. This turned out to be pretty good anyway as it took us only a short while to find another similar parkingdeck with even better view where we stayed without trouble the few hours left this evening. From here we could reach the lineups of rwy 24L/R.


A well longed shower at our Motel 8 before strolling down the neighbourhood to the nearby Sizzlers steakhouse. Fabulous food and great prices. In darkness well back at the motel we had some beers and played with the cameras. ISO 1600 and 1/15s were a quite interesting experience.


Then hitting the pillow preparing for yet another day at LAX.

Total amount of Southwest so far - 316.
 

Day 9
Morning until noon once again spent next to Bird Restaurant after the traditional Subway breakfast, this time at Imperial Hill where we located one the day before. Weather finally being perfect again.


In the afternoon we found our way back to the parkingdeck we used yesterday. In the shadow from the car we enjoyed yet another afternoon. More and more boring with the same traffic and no surprises at all. The interseting freighters used the other runway. This included an Astar DC-8 as well as a Capitol Cargo 727F.


When bored enough and sun dropping to fast we went back to the motel for a shower and the final dinner in states. This one like yesterday at Sizzlers. Some bears later and overloaded with meat we rolled (!) back to the motel and watched approaches from the pool for a while before going to sleep.

Total amount of Southwest so far - 348.


Day 10
A tour on the highway along the freighter aprons with some quick stops for a DC-8 and some FedEx DC-10s before a final session at the prakingdeck. Early morning the lineups showed off decent light while the approaches were in terrible headlight.


When light was good enough for approach shots we moved to a small yard on a local street next to the motel. Here we stayed the rest of the day, kicking ball while waiting for approaches. In the early afternoon we were approached by a security guard from a nearby industry building. He were not happy with the fact we made photos of aircrafts. He told us to stop this or he "would call the police". Keep in mind we were staying on a public place. We simply told him that we appreciated this fact very much. He then got upset that we didn't pay him more attention and then with hostile attitude announced that he would "at least note our cars registration". We told him it was a great suggestion and welcomed him to do that as well. We kept on taking photos and half an hour later there were still no sign of any police whatsoever.

We were at this time pretty sure the securityguy only fooled us but our "in-the-meantime-waiting-for-more-approaches--soccer-tournament" was then interupted when a policecar finally turned up. In the background, our securityguy followed the next 20 min carefully. Being used to this situation (as being the fourth or fifth time) from the past week, all three of us already had our passports and papers ready when the officers got out of their car. "No,no,no - you can wait with that. We only wanna talk" said the officers. The following conversation between us and the officers presented many laughs and cheerful attitudes! They explained about the call, they explained we didn't do anything wrong, they asked us how long we were going to stay, they checked our papers a.s.o. When one of the officers noticed the name "Björn" in one of the passports he said "Oh now I have to ask you, Björn, what does it meen? We have this babycarriage of the swedish brand Babybjörn. So far we called it the babybear."

We explained to him it was perfectly correct and after those cheerful 20 min the officers finally wrote down a small note and handed over to us. This business card had the officers names and a number-of-the-case. If we were horassed by anyone else we were told to simply show this card if they didn't believe us. It told we had already been checked and accepted. We were then told by the officers to have a safe trip home before they saluted us and drove off! We only had some hours left of this trip but we were happy anyway!

Specially when thinking of certain securityguys and the propable dark clouds now surrounding him... 


Before checking in we had some time left after leaving our rental car so we checked the rooftop of one of the multistory carpark. Severe heathaze made this recognition a quick one and we headed for the airconditioned terminal instead. Some pix through the glass, closing the circle with an American MadDog, as the "Pushtruck Desert Tour 2008" began 9 days ago. Then another smooth 777 flight, this time pretty tired and this time heading eastbound.


Total amount of Southwest on this trip - 364 !!!


Day 11
Transit in LHR didn't give much and we grabbed something to eat before our Stockholm flight left.


After counting everything together at home I came up with a decent number of new airliners for the collection:

364 Southwest
145 US Airways (+ 45 US Airways Express)
104 American Airlines (+ 37 American Eagle)
65 United Airlines (+ 49 United Express, + 32 Ted)
53 Northwest Airlines (+ 2 Northwest Airlink)
49 Alaska Airlines (+ 17 Horizon)
46 Continental Airlines (+3 Continental Express)
40 Delta Air Lines (+ 30 Delta Connection)
31 Air Canada
22 Frontier
16 Mexicana
15 JetBlue
13 AirTran
13 Allegiant Air

And lots and lots of other birds... In total 1994 new ones!