I'd last seen this unique Savage in 1973 when it was being used as a fanjet testbed by Avco-Lycoming registered N68667 (my photo here). Such a pity the paintwork has faded so much since restoration over 20 years ago

Extremely rare example of this aircraft sitting on the museum's restoration area ramp.

The Savage was a 1950s carrier bomber, later converted for refuelling/recon. The AJ-2 version had two P&W R-2800s and a J33 turbojet in the tail, good for over 40,000ft if piston engine stalling around 35k could be overcome. After service with the USN 1954-59 as 130418 and as firebomber N101Z, this one was used by AVCO Lycoming for jet testing in 1971/72. The only survivor of 143 built, flown to USN museum at Pensacola on 9.5.84 and restored to USN marks. When I recently sent the pic round my friends, no-one could name it!