June 15, 2012
“Wildwood Mace” aka “Miss L” restoration is complete. The missile is now on display at the Indiana Military Museum in Vincennes, IN. The official dedication is targeted for early October 2012.
From: Jerry Brenner
Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2012
To: Russ Reston
Subject: Miss L is DONE and showing her colors!!!!!!!
Russ,
Frank (Roales), Max (Butler), myself and a clan of Max’s were in Vincennes to put the finishing touches on Miss L. Since I helped Frank put on the small decals, I let Max get in the JLG and help Frank put on the big decals today. While they were in the bucket, I was on the ground offering suggestions on where the decals should go and they completely ignored me as usual. Max’s clan fixed a board that was broken on the wagon we used to haul the missle around on and I put the finishing touches on the pedestals and washed the lower side of the left wing. After we were done, we had a discussion on when the dedication should take place, we decided that, due to all that is going on at the Indiana Military Museum this summer, it would be best to have it the first part of October. Here are a bunch of pictures that we took today as Max and Frank put on the final decals. Enjoy the pictures of Miss L in all her glory as she sets at the entrance of the new location of the Indiana Military Museum, Vincennes, IN. Thanks to all that participated in the acquiring, dismantling, transporting and restoration of this glorious piece of Cold War History. May she set proud for all to see for many years to come.
As a side note, you would not believe how many people came out to see what we were doing and looking at the missile. There was even a busload of senior citizens that came by and turned around in the driveway. She is definitely an eye catcher. Plus, their C-47 is setting almost right next to her.
Jerry Brenner, USAF
Weapons Specialist-MOS 46350
Rocket Jockey
You all did a great job on the Mace. I am a Museum Specialist at the AF Armament Museum at Eglin AFB, FL. We are in the process of repainting our TM-76B/ CGM-13B Mace missile – S/N 59-4860. This missile was assigned to the 4504th Tactical Missile (Training) Wing at Orlando AFB, FL from Mar 1961 to November 1965. Would you have any photos or data about the insignia and markings that would have been used for this missile during that time frame.
John, I just emailed you a JPG file for the requested photo.
Regards…
Hi Jerry!
All Kudos to All Hands involved in the restoration of “Miss L” at the IMM.
Terrific, great, super job, reflectiing a lot of sweat-equity and infinite quantity of time, from Idea Day through Restoration Completion Day. This is, perhaps the top achievement of TAC Misileers in the area of Matador / Mace historical preservation.
I surely saw my quota of Matadors, B-61 & B-61A, later TMs.
I figured Frank Roales simply had a surplus of large cans of white paint in the TMM hangar. I’ll be interested in learning about the white.
Jerry, I tried to lift-out one photo for printing onto photo paper and then for framing, placing it on the wall next the the post-card size photo of the Wildwood Mace, from whence Miss L came. But, alas, it prints out in red only.
The one I selected is 7th from the bottom of the above vertical strip of Miss L photos, the one not showing any trucks in the photo.
Is there any way I could acquire this one, post card size, on photo paper?
I would be forever beholden and will try to find a way to return this favor, which, to me would a big one indeed.
Jerry, I am looking forward to seeing you again, down the pike. Diane and I get over to Mount Dora every few months or so.
Please advise, re photo and Mount Dora visits upcoming.
Thanks, John.
Dave,
since this was a training bird, it was decided to paint it display white. Also, there is a Mace Missile at Cape Caneveral that is painted white also, the tail number being one more than ours. Here is the web site to see this bird.
http://www.afspacemuseum.org/displays/MaceB/.
Also, here is the comment from Frank Roales, who was head restoration person: Miss L never was an operational bird but a training one, so it was decided to finish her as a display missile. If you check out her sister (Serial #94871) located in the rocket garden at Cape Canaveral you will see that the Air Force funded restoration of this bird was painted in this manner. Also the display bird at Orlando back in the 1960’s was white. The reason for white was aesthetics “it looks real good” and is not without precedent.
We have gotten all kinds of comments on the bird and we are proud of how she looks. Glad you did enjoy the pictures.
I think the missile looks great but I do have one question. Why was it painted white? I never saw a white Mace missile anywhere before.
You guys did a great job restoring and displaying the old missile. Keep up the
good work.