Originally, this small airfield was built as a training base for the U.S. Army during World War II. Today, the airport is home to the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team as well as several vintage aircraft. On any given day you may find a couple of retired DC-10s, 727s, 737s, 747s, or even a Korean Air A300 – all in various states of disrepair. A majority are former Northwest Airlines airliners, sent here once they are retired from service. When a plane arrives, the jet engines are one of the first pieces to be removed and can sell for more than $2 million.
The aircraft salvage company was formed in 1953 and currently uses a portion of the airfield for commercial airliner salvage. As the story goes, the founder Harold Jenkins “Jenks” Caldwell Sr. was in a restaurant and noticed a part of the building was constructed out of a portion of a U.S. Army C-54 transport fuselage. Fascinated by the plane, he purchased the airframe and removed it from the building. Caldwell obtained the necessary parts and built a fully functional aircraft for commercial service. His intention was not to sell the plane but instead create his own small airline. Over the years, the airline grew to include DC-8s and 707s. Eventually, the company transformed into a salvage operation, selling parts of the various aircraft to private and commercial companies.
Thank you for reading. I appreciate your support. Please share the blog with your friends.
If you would like to receive the Abandoned Southeast blog in your email, you can sign up below. Also, check out my books that are available through Amazon.
Abandoned Southeast 
Hi there and thanks for this and all your other fascinating articles. Perhaps, I’m just overlooking the particular detail, but I can’t find where you mention the location of this aircraft boneyard. Thanks for any information you may be able to share! Take care.
Yours truly,
John
John S. Lemley Atlanta, GA
Sent via mobile device.
>
LikeLike
I was wondering the same thing. So fascinating!
LikeLike
I know where it is. The pictures of airplane placement published here are very different than any that I’ve seen previously.
LikeLike
Where exactly is this place
LikeLike
ASE purposefully leaves out the locations of his pieces. Most are on private property and he has been granted permission to shoot there. Please respect that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
IS this in Tupelo MS?
________________________________
LikeLike
It’s not in Tupelo.
LikeLike
It is so sad looking in here first the buildings then the abandoned planes. This whole place must have been full of life at one time.
LikeLike
Follow (google) the clues.
LikeLike
Relatively easy to find if you follow the clues.
LikeLike
Would any of just the fuselages be available for purchase? A 747 would make an awesome home.
LikeLike
As someone else said… it’s not difficult to find. They article has obvious clues.
LikeLike
Indeed they do!
http://airportjournals.com/custom-airplane-homes-coast-to-coast/ This one is several years old, however, Mr. Campbell is still in his as of 2020. The aluminum bodies are very weather resistant!
LikeLike
Hiding in plane,pun, site……
LikeLiked by 1 person
WE WANT TO SAFE ABONDAND AIRLINE TO BE RECYCLING. WE WILL BE TRANSPORT TO AUSTRALIA . THE PROJECT IS TO BUILD HOTEL AND CAFE FOR NOT -FOR -PROFIT ORG.,IS FOR DISAVANTAGE PEOPLES AND HOMELESSNESS. WE NEED CHEAP OR FREE AIRCRAFT . THE TRANSPORT WILL PAY BY FUNDING FROM GOVERMENT.
LikeLike