If anybody has pics of aircraft at any of the airstrips in the Bob Marshall Wilderness back when they used to be open we at the RAF would like copies for a project. We don't want anything from Schafer. These dozen or so strips haven't been open since the mid 60's. If you have any pics please scan them in and send them to me at [email protected]

That sounds cool - what's the project? There are photos in 'Montana and the Sky' (by Frank Wiley) and I believe in 'Fly the Biggest Piece Back'. Do you have those ones? I wonder if the Forest Service has any old photos at the ranger stations at Gates Park, Big Prairie, Holbrook or Black Bear. I'm guessing you've already checked, but I bet the Montana Aeronautics Division in Helena has some.

I'm familiar with Gates Park, Big Prairie, Holbrook, Black Bear, Basin Creek and Pretty Prairie. Are there more?

You might check with Richard Holm - Bound For The Backcountry
I would bet.....

SamIntel wrote:That sounds cool - what's the project? There are photos in 'Montana and the Sky' (by Frank Wiley) and I believe in 'Fly the Biggest Piece Back'. Do you have those ones? I wonder if the Forest Service has any old photos at the ranger stations at Gates Park, Big Prairie, Holbrook or Black Bear. I'm guessing you've already checked, but I bet the Montana Aeronautics Division in Helena has some.

I'm familiar with Gates Park, Big Prairie, Holbrook, Black Bear, Basin Creek and Pretty Prairie. Are there more?

We're keeping the project close to the vest right now. Here's a link to a chart that shows 10 of them. This was before Benchmark was constructed and the location of the old Seeley Lake strip.

https://www.loc.gov/resource/g3701pm.gct00089/?sp=861

I smell blood.
If the RAF is going to attempt the project I think they are interested in, then maybe I need to go buy another airplane and join the RAF once again.
I joined up on this site to read about the very capable and exciting rebuilds going on with the Cessna 180/185s. I never rebuilt one, but I am an expert at making a $120K Skywagon into a $170K Skywagon with retail labor and parts! But heck, I was an amateur. Others have shown how to take a $120K Skywagon and make it into a $270K Skywagon.
No matter, I don't fly or own an aircraft anymore. But I would join the RAF if I did, period. And I might join it even though I am not an aircraft owner, just to see the RAF achieve a meaningful access to the former strip I am thinking of where the water flows south to north.
I'll stand by as an observer, 6 wt fly rod, pontoon boat in hand.

Bonanza Man wrote: We're keeping the project close to the vest right now. Here's a link to a chart that shows 10 of them. This was before Benchmark was constructed and the location of the old Seeley Lake strip.

https://www.loc.gov/resource/g3701pm.gct00089/?sp=861

Cool map - I hadn't seen that one with lengths and elevations. I know some of the old charts put out by the aeronautics division used to show them as abandoned/closed, but don't show them at all anymore.

One more thought... Again, you probably already checked, but the Museum of Mountain Flying in Missoula might have something too.

SamIntel wrote:One more thought... Again, you probably already checked, but the Museum of Mountain Flying in Missoula might have something too.

I was in Missoula today at the office of a guy who volunteers at the Mountain Flying Museum and is a book seller. He had 4 pics in his office that I made copies of and he said the museum has several file cabinets of pics that we can look at once they open up in the spring.

Congrats and best wishes for what looks like a loong term project.

I know I joined the RAF way back at the beginning - Seems I did my usual
Lifetime membership with notation to keep me off mailing list to save labor
and postage.

Like another Granite Gripper mentioned above - I will check to make sure
and rejoin if not still there.

From and old Downward Bounder.