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c/n 445
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c/n 445

52-6081

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52-6081 USAF #1243. L-20 No. 244. Command AF-3. Delivered 21-Jan-1953. Built as L-20A and re-designated U-6A in 1962.

Written off

USAF History

52-6081 was made available on 30-Dec-1952 and accepted on 12 Jan-1953 by the 6600th Air Depot AMO (Air Material Overseas Unit), at Downsview, ON., after which it was assigned to the Air Proving Ground Command at Eglin AFB., with the 3201st Air Base Group remaining for just over three weeks until 12-Feb-1953. It then went overseas to Puerto Rica where it was assigned to the Strategic Air Command and the 72nd Strategic Reconnaissance, Heavy Wing. Whilst there it suffered category 3 damage (medium/serious) when it ground looped during a takeoff run at the Harry S Truman Field, St Thomas, Virgin Islands on 23-Apr-1953. This caused it to return to mainland US and it was passed to the Air Material Command and to the Mobile Air Depot at Brookley AFB., for repair. It stayed between 24-May-1953 until 31-Dec-1953.

After this it was re assigned to the Air Proving Ground Command at Eglin AFB., and the 3201st ABG. But it still deployed overseas and it was again involved in an accident this time at Ramey AFB., Mona Island, Puerto Rica 21-Mar-1954. It suffered category 4 damage (effectively destroyed) following a landing incident which culminated in a ground loop. The pilot was Merle L Kuns.

The damage was such that the aircraft was written off.

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