Early History
United States Navy. 1945 Grumman TBM-3E manufactured by Eastern Aircraft. Construction #: 2705. Phil Schmidt has compiled a military history of 85886 on his Facebook page.
Cisco Aircraft Inc, Lancaster, CA, 1963. Registered as N9586Z.
Loening Air Inc, Boise, ID, 1966.
USN card for 85886 obtained by Phil Schmidt.
TBM N9596Z, probably by W.T. Larkins.
Hillcrest Aircraft, Lewiston, ID
#A9 N9586Z 1969-1972
Aerial Spray Program – NB
1971 – Pilot Reid.
“The one photo I am submitting of #A9 was when it was ready for delivery I believe to NB. I recall “Gunner” [Anderson, Master Mechanic at Hillcrest’s Clarkston, WA, overhaul facility] leaving to take a trip to Canada for a few days then. To my recent surprise I think that is him standing in the center with the green jacket/pants in [the] photo in front of #A9 then in Dunphy, NB [below]. Can’t see his face, but for sure that was his stance and haircut!” (Personal communication from Phil Schmidt; see more details in “Companies that provided Aircraft”)
Image submitted by Phil Schmidt in 2010 of #A9 at Hillcrest’s Clarkston, WA, overhaul facility.
Hillcrest #A9 N9586Z in New Brunswick, (probably) 1971. (Merrill McBride collection)
Hillcrest #A9 N9586Z in parking area at Dunphy airstrip, NB, possibly 1971. The TBM at right is Aircraft Specialties N9590Z TBM #C25. (Merrill McBride collection)
Post-spray History
G&M Investments, Lewiston, ID, 1972.
Craig Aero Service, Buttonwillow, CA, 1975-1977. Forced landing, wheels-up, while spraying tomato crop, near Winters, CA, May 23, 1975.
Ralph M. Ponte, Grass Valley, CA, 1978.
Joe Dulvick, 1980-1981.
Jack L. Kelley, Dallas, TX, 1983-1988.
Jeff Clyman/TBF Inc/POB Inc, Tenafly, NJ, 1990-2003. Flies as USN/85886/SL-401/Yankee Gal.
This beautiful photo of 85886 flying for the American Airpower Museum should be shared from Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=10150968596978400&set=a.387267023399.169634.123023458399&type=1&theater
Thank, Phil, but I had to draw the line for post-spray usage of the Avengers on my site.