The Haunting of Raisin' Hell

RF-8 Crusader

In the town of Atwater,CA, at the abandoned Air Force base, is a good collection of aircraft from WWII and later. At the Castle Air Museum, as you enter the twenty-two acres of display area, immediately visible are the most common planes of World War Two: the B-24, the B-25, the B-29, the B-17, and the AT-6.  These planes were produced in greater numbers than any others. But, this is not why we have come, and we begin our search for that “special” aircraft.  Along the way we see some historic airplanes such as the C-47.  There is an interesting story behind the development of this airplane, affectionately referred to as the “Gooneybird”. When Bill Boeing built an airliner for his airline, American Airlines, the owner of Trans World Airlines, Howard Hughes, asked Boeing to build some for him. Boeing refused, not wanting to supply the competition.  Douglas Aircraft designed and built the DC-3 for Hughes, and Boeing’s plane immediately became obsolete.  This plane became the workhorse as a troop transport during WWII and later in commercial aviation. 

As we wandered among the airplanes I pointed out to Claudette an RF-8 Crusader.  It was the first plane to fly into the projectiles fired from its own cannon. That’s pretty fast!  I recounted to her that late one afternoon aboard the USS Intrepid I had seen a Crusader land so hard the nose wheel was torn off.  There were no injuries, but the aircraft mechanics had a lot of work to do. 

We stopped to take a closer look at a B-47 bomber.  The B-47 was the first jet powered bomber of the U.S. Air Force. After the United States had developed the atomic bomb there needed to b a vehicle to deliver these bombs.  The B-47 was fully capable of delivering tactical nuclear weapons. Actually, it was a little too good at delivering them.  In 1958 a B-47 accidentally dropped an atomic bomb on a small town near Florence, South Carolina.  It created a crater but did not detonate.  There are some good old boys who would say that the Yankees are still trying to get us, but I don’t believe it. 

B-29 "Raisin' Hell"

We finally found the plane we were looking for: the B-29 Superfortress.  But, not just any B-29.  It’s the “Raisin’ Hell”.  It didn’t do anything historic or anything.  Why, it was created from three other damaged B-29s. Why was I interested? I asked the docent,”Tell me about the ghost?”

He responded, “I can’t say anything about that.” 

“Why?” I queried.

The last thing he said was, “No  comment”, as he walked away.  

This is the story.  As the plane was being restored a passerby noticed the green and red navigation lights were operating  on the plane.  When he called the museum he was told that that was impossible...the plane had no electrical power. At another time a mechanic was working in close quarters in the cockpit of the plane and asked the man working with him to hand him  a wrench, which was placed immediately into his hand.  But, when the mechanic  looked a minute later, he saw his work mate outside the aircraft! These incidents have been investigated by paranormal organizations. 

We enjoyed looking at the fifty-four planes and the indoor museum as well. It is a great display of historical American air power. I couldn’t resist looking over my shoulder at “Raisin’ Hell” as we left.  What if?

B-36 "Peacemaker"