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In the Air Force, we called Donor aircraft "Hanger Queens" cause as often as someone would sneak in a steal parts, and as long as it took to get parts, they never made it off the ground.

Actually, you're referring to the "Cann Bird." The Hangar Queen is the aircraft that has been sitting for longer than 30 days, usually as a result of being the Cann Bird. By the way, getting a Hangar Queen is usually a black mark on any aircraft maintenance officer or Chief's record, as it indicates poor fleet management.

However, you are right, Atlantis' destiny is to end its days as the NASA Hangar Queen....truly sad.

Ah yes. We would put the parts back on the Can Bird just to get it's wheels off the ground to avoid getting a Hanger Queen designation. Then, back in the Tab-V and the parts went back. Now I remember.

Our Can Bird happened to be the Wing Commanders aircraft. Was POS it was. Weighed about 1000 lbs more than all the other planes because of all the paint jobs to keep it pretty. Had a chrome gun muzzle (A-10) and they would never let us put retread tires on it, only new ones with the white wheels. The crew chief was just like his bird, all spiffied up looking good, but not worth a bucket of warm spit.

What memories.

Sorry. Back on topic now....