Pilot Mike Manclark takes Squadron of Legendary Warbirds on Historic Road Trip to California for Major Restoration Effort
Six OV-10 Broncos being shipped from National Vietnam War Museum for new life as flying memorials
JAN 10, 2018. MINERAL WELLS, TX – Mike Manclark and the MANGIC Foundation announced today they’ve purchased an entire squadron of historic OV-10 Broncos from the National Vietnam War Museum and are shipping them to LA for a massive restoration effort. Mike Manclark, an aviation entrepreneur and pilot himself, will spearhead the efforts alongside a team of other aviation enthusiasts so these classics can be enjoyed for generations to come at Air Shows, celebrations and other special events.
“These aircraft have supported America during some of our most pivotal moments, and we want to honor, respect and protect that legacy by giving them a new life as a flying memorial,” said Mike Manclark, Founder and President, The MANGIC Foundation. “This is a unique opportunity to preserve and celebrate our rich history and we welcome everyone to join us in supporting this effort.”
Known as one of the coolest and most intriguing warbirds in history, the OV-10 Bronco was originally introduced in the 1960s for close air support in Vietnam. But because of their versatility, these warbirds went on to tackle just about every mission an airplane could have for the USAF, the Marines, the Navy, SEALS and a number of other foreign countries. In fact, Mike Manclark says the Broncos they’re restoring have an impressive history as well, fighting in Desert Storm, combatting cocaine in South America, and taking on ISIS in the Middle East before reaching their retirement.
As part of the restoration campaign, the six decommissioned aircraft will be loaded onto a convoy of trucks where they’ll make an epic 1,300-mile road trip from the National Vietnam War Museum in Mineral Wells, TX to California’s Chino Airport in Greater Los Angeles. Once there, they’ll be meticulously assessed and repaired to the highest standards of restoration. The aircraft maintenance specialists in Chino are some of the best of the best in the warbird business, and are some of the industry’s last remaining experts in hand formed aluminum sheet metal, fabricating Plexiglas canopies, and rebuilding engines long out of service.
Because of it’s historical significance and the intriguing nature of the Bronco, the project has even drawn the attention of living legends in aviation like Patty Wagstaff, an aerobatic national champion and 2004 inductee to the National Aviation Hall of Fame. Wagstaff flew the Bronco for three years as an Air Attack Pilot at several tanker bases for Cal Fire, and has since committed to be an advisor on the return to flight program.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the OV-10, it’s design and its mission,” says Wagstaff. “The idea of bringing more Broncos back to service is really exciting to me for a lot of reasons, including the mystique of the airplane. Every pilot is fascinated by this airplane… the essential mission it played in the Vietnam war, it’s multi-purpose mission, and the fact that the government keeps thinking about bringing it back into service. It’s a testament to how valuable the mission of this aircraft has been.”
“We would like nothing better than to see any of those Vietnam vets get in the air again. There is a legion of people out here pulling for you guys,” says Jim Hodgson, Executive Director of the Fort Worth Aviation Museum; Black Ponies (served several months)
Harry Gintzer, a former Vietnam vet and OV-10 pilot with the Navy’s famed Black Ponies is just one of many fans of the Bronco return to flight program, and one aircraft in particular – White Lightning. “I actually christened that name while serving in Vietnam,” says Gintzer. “The Bronco’s were white at that time, and my wife was from South Carolina, a place well known for lightning. So it seemed like the perfect name and it stuck. I put in 162 missions in that aircraft and am thrilled that Mike Manclark and his team will be bringing it back to life.”
About the MANGIC FOUNDATION
Launched in 2012 by successful entrepreneur Mike Manclark, the MANGIC Foundation believes in hands-on work that gives people a hand up and making a tangible difference in the lives of those they help. Every year, the MANGIC foundation supports dozens of non-profits and causes that support children, armed forces and first responders, along with families in need. For more information on the MANGIC Foundation and how you can get involved, visit mangic.com.
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Absolutely awesome. Thank you to the Mangic foundation.
VMO-4, ’77 -’79.In SoCal. Interested in flight crew.
Thank you for your interest Terry! What’s your background if you don’t mind posting? We’re enjoying the fact that the airplane and the project are bringing a lot of people together.
Roger that – we’re putting a list of some serious talent together with the plan of thousands of details that need to happen. You’re on the list, we’ll be in contact, and thank you!
interested in being involved was fullsystems qa maint controller worked with vmo 1 vmo 2 vmo 4 hams 36 overseas in the war\
Sounds like some serious credentials we could put to work – contact ya soon RJ.
VAL-4 Bronco’s were never white.
Initially green over grey. And gull grey at the end.
Which outfit at Chino is doing the work?
Matt Nightingale will be heading up the team.
Never been a pilot but love aviation, just wanted to say thanks and good luck to all involved. I visit our local OV-10 here in Dayton, Ohio quite often and hope to see one of these at the Dayton Air Show one day.
I’d be interested in a pilot slot if you would need any in the Northeast US. ~ 1000 hours in it with the 20th and 704th TASS – Sembach AB Germany 1976-1979 (with side trips to Red Flag and Brave Shield as well). Retired from the USAF/ANG and airlines now…
Is it within your plan to acquire and install either a Hughes or Texas Instruments FLIR?
Replicating 155395 or 396 as the prototype for the D and D+ would be relatively easy.
With this many airframes you are going to come closer to acquiring an M-197 than I
was for the FWAM several years back.
We don’t have plans for FLIR at this time, but we’d certainly be interested!
This is great. Thanks to all of you for restoring these historic birds. Some of the guys from our ANGLICO unit parachuted out of the back of a Bronco (more like fell out). It was a marvelous site. Would love to volunteer if needed.
I accumulated 2,200 hrs in USMC OV10s. On my second RVN tour I flew with VMO2 at Marble Mountain and Danang 1969-1970 as a FAC. Great Air-Ground mission, good tales. I’m 2 hrs from Chino and would like to know if I could be of assistance. My FAA 1stClass medical expired five years ago so I’m not “Airworthy” let alone insurable at 81 years old and not divorceable after 54 years.
But if I could be a docent (with photographic evidence) I would be honored.
We would love to have your involvement in the Squadron! Lets set up a time we can meet and I can show you what we are doing. WE ARE HONORED YOU WANT TO BE INVOLVED!!
Where will you be coming in from?
Great job you guys or doing!!
Can someone tell me if there is an IPB, blueprints or drawings for the modification to make a “D” model Bronco?
Thanks.
Hi JL –
You could possibly locate that data in the national archives, we do not have it readily available as these aircraft were converted to D models in the 1970’s. Our friends with Cal Fire have reversed the mod, installing an A model nose onto a D model airplane, suggesting dimensional similarity. We’d recommend contacting the OV-10 Bronco Association in Ft. Worth Texas. Thank you for following our program and watch our countdown to return to flight next year!
I flew the OV-10 with VMO-2 and VMO-4 from 1980 to 1989 including duties as a post-maintenance Test pilot, an instructor and NATOPS/instrument check pilot.
As my old friend Bill Paulson, I would love to be a Docent and ‘roady’ For any future missions.
I love that you are restoring these great birds. I had many great times working on the A models. I was an engine mechanic at Patrick AFB (549th CAMS OV-10 AMU) and at Osan AB (51st AG, 19th AMU). I even worked on a couple of MCAS Futema OV-10A’s that broke down at Osan when I was there (85-86). I got to fly backseat on TDYs to Okinawa and Clark AB, PI from Osan AB. I truly loved working on these great birds as they were my first aircraft (and first love!) in my 20+ years as an engine mechanic in the USAF.
Mike, I must’ve missed this invite. But recently we’ve been talking. I will get the VN OV10 video to you today and plan to be at Long Beach 2Nov19.
Flew 198 combat missions 71-72 out of NKP. Flew the Combat evaluation of the Pave Nail Laser bird at Ubon. I was one of the on scene commanders at the Bat21 rescue of Col. Gene Hambelton. Would love to fly one again.