Warbird Information Exchange

Mike and Rob,

Mike it's wonderful to see you step up to the plate and lend Mr. Rohr and company a hand with this very important issue. You among a select few of others can lend a lot of legitimacy to the meeting. Another piece of the puzzle that is missing is a bit of Washington muscle. Who was the senator that recently put a quick end to Mr. Crawleys (Spelling) case over the F3A? There’s a man that could be the point person you are looking for. Another potentially influential person for the campaign would be a certain wealthy gentleman and warbird collector currently living in Palm Springs. He has in past worked several very interesting "Deals" with the Navy and has also donated LARGE amounts of money to the museum in Pensacola. To anybody that has visited that establishment, note who is listed as the key donor for the library wing.

Contacting as many of the major museums and private collectors across the country and getting them to send one individual of high rank from their organization also comes to mind as a good idea. Names like Hinton, Maloney, Pardue, Edwards, Parish, Waltrip are but a few that pop into my mind right off hand but there are plenty more…..How about the EAA’s “Pope”?

Don’t expect these people to seek you out since most of them may not even know you exist. You will need to ferret them out and kindly persuade them to back you up. This will mean that you will do most of the leg work for them, a small price to pay if an amicable resolution with the Navy is reached in the end.

Rob, I’m sure what the others are trying to say about you toning down your style is not meant as an attack on you. It’s obvious your heart is in the right place and your passion shows, however, personal attacks, especially those made publicly are absolutely out of line no matter how you may feel about a person and it does not matter what they have done to you in past. What it boils down to is legitimacy of your character in the eyes of the very powerful and influential. Nobody, especially the wealthy and powerful has any desire to be associated with a loose, unpredictable cannon that could misfire at anytime.

Kindest regards,
John Beyl
CC Red Tail Mustang

I don't usually get all serious on this forum, BUT, I think its time to through my two cents-worth into this matter. I haven't know Rob Rohr as long as some of you may have. It's been about ten years since we met when we were members of the Maine Aviation Historical Society(Rob was a founder). I've seen him in action. He knows more about aviation history in general and Warbirds in particular then I will ever know. When there is a dirty job to be done, the first person I'd call would be Rob. He's the guy who is alway willing to get his hands dirty or if the situation calls for it, to take the heat for something, if it means getting the job done. And he knows that sometimes his brand of "justice" doesn't work and someone else is needed to step in and follow through with the work he has started. He would be the first to say he's not a "Brooks Brothers" kind of guy. To say Rob gets excited is an understatement. You can tell by his typing. Thats not ignorence, thats a case of the words coming faster then the fingers can put it down. I do agree on toning down the personal attacks and Rob and I have had some long discussions on the subject and what it can do to a cause. To quote
Rob," I don't need to be in charge, just use me at what I do best"(That might not be an exact quote as the conversation took place about 4yrs ago). And to Mike, Thanks for stepping up to the plate! I know this is a big thing for anyone to volunteer for but with someone like you as the spokesman and with Rob coordinating the research, I don't belive this issue will be just swept under the rug with a little lip service! Yes, this is for all the Warbird owners out there and in turn it's for everyone of us who will risk life and limb to get just a small glimpse of an old airplane. The sight and sound of a Allison, Rolls Royce, P&W or Curtiss-powered aircraft(and jets,too!) in the air is beyond words. I may be just a fringe element in the Warbird world , but as I told Rob, if you need my help in any way(licking stamps.....oops, self-stick now, and me working for the Postal Service and all!), Mike, let me know. Give'em Hell, Rob! Just don't Actually BITE anybody this time! I think I've over-stayed my welcome on the old soap box so I will relinqish my claim and pass it on.

For everyone that does not know:

www.ATRecovery.com

I believe the Secretary of the Navy has begun to realize that the staff of the NHC has hindered the preservation of Naval Aviation history. Four years ago we showed NHC the damage that was being done in Lake Michigan by the Zebra Mussels and soon the truth of what NHC has done that is counter to Navy objectives will become known.

Taras