June 19, 2010 - Visit to Jenkins Boneyard

This Saturday's flying destination was Jenkins "Boneyard", just west of Dover Air Force Base.   Jenkins is a grass strip with bi-secting runways. 

Joe Jenkins, the 92 year old World War II veterin, is the owner and operator.  He flew Beaufighters and P-61 Black Widow nightfighters against the Germans in 1944/45. 

 
I met Bruce R. and George there.  Both are EAA Chapter members and RV-8 builders. 
 

This twin has been sitting here for 30+  years. 

 
A sad RV-8.  It's owner neglected to periodically torque the bolts on his wood prop.  Three prop bolts sheared off in flight.
 
Mr. Jenkins buys wrecks like this and makes a living parting them out.
 
A Thorp-18.
 
This recently acquired Citabria is actually in pretty good condition and will probably be restored, then sold.
 
The mangled remains of a J-3 Cub.
 
Another Cub fuselage.
 
Mr. Jenkins even has a glider. 
 
I was told this is what's left of a Pitts, although I sure couldn't tell and I tried.
 
Mr. Jenkins gave us a nice walking tour of the Boneyard. 
 
This Pawnee collided with a Citabria on landing; fortunately the pilots survived but the Pawnee ended up here, never to fly again.
 
The weeds and grass are almost impossible to defeat. 
 
This Tripacer was simply abandoned by its owner long ago.
 
Mr. Jenkins keeps the location and inventory of everything in his head. 
 
This could be considered a sick kind of aviation art. 
 
And this.
 
A Lake Amphibian that will never skip the waters again. 
 
 
No comment!
 
Mr. Jenkins has a fascinating history. 
 
He had seen the P-51 Mustang "QuickSilver" at the Reading, PA Warbird airshow a few weeks ago and the one that my RV's paintscheme is similar to. 
 
Bruce R. climbing into his RV-8 "Mugsy". 
 
George mounting up.
 
Bruce's rider took this great shot of me. 
 
Bruce and I flew over to Millville for lunch.  On the way back I took his picture of the swamplands on the east side of the Delaware River.
 
The sunny hot weather made it a perfect day for the boats off Hart Miller island.
 
 
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