Fri Mar 22, 2019 1:34 pm
Fri Mar 22, 2019 4:26 pm
Fri Mar 22, 2019 5:11 pm
JohnB wrote:A question...
Does Collings bring all its tour aircraft to every stop?
Last year they had their B-17,24, Mustang and Skyraider at an event.
I've been kicking myself for not going in the AD.
JohnB wrote:A question...
Last year they had their B-17,24, Mustang and Skyraider at an event.
I've been kicking myself for not going in the AD.?
Fri Mar 22, 2019 5:41 pm
Fri Mar 22, 2019 7:11 pm
Sat Mar 23, 2019 7:30 am
Sat Mar 23, 2019 8:15 am
lucky52 wrote:Thanks.Were there as many two seat P-51s made?
Sat Mar 23, 2019 12:39 pm
Sun Mar 24, 2019 9:30 am
Sun Mar 24, 2019 10:20 am
Sun Mar 24, 2019 11:25 am
Sun Mar 24, 2019 12:09 pm
OD/NG wrote:JohnB wrote:A question...
Does Collings bring all its tour aircraft to every stop?
Last year they had their B-17,24, Mustang and Skyraider at an event.
I've been kicking myself for not going in the AD.
No. They tend to bring the "moneymakers" all of the time on the tour though. This includes the B-17, B-24 and P-51. Others are brought in as market conditions, aircraft and pilot availability and maintenance permit. There are a lot of variables that determine what aircraft they bring, but the biggest factor is economic. For example, the Collings foundation is not allowed to sell passenger rides in the Me-262. It can only be used for instruction to people with a valid pilot's license and medical. This will eliminate 90% of all potential people seeking a flight. The Me-262 costs roughly about $1000 per hour to fly, just for fuel alone. This doesn't include oil, maintenance, wear and tear on the airframe, hours burned on the engines which bring them closer to TBO, paying pilot transportation/lodging costs, etc. It doesn't take very long to determine that they need a lot of paid instruction flights in the Me-262, just to break even. It doesn't make sense to tour that aircraft all around the country if it is not making money. It is for this reason that the Me-262 rarely leaves its Houston base to travel on tour or go to airshows with the rest of the touring bombers, except for very special occasions. It is the same reason - economics - that the single engine, single seat Collings fighters almost never go on tour with the bombers.
The Collings foundation is a well run economic powerhouse that has their successful formula very well dialed in. They have to fly their aircraft like a business, with operating costs at the forefront. It is because of this that the Collings foundation has grown tremendously and able to buy huge aircraft and armor collections such as the Evergreen collection and Littlefield collection. I don't mind them doing this, in fact, I prefer it. It is this "business model" mindset that allows them to continue to grow and expand for the benefit of all of us. I do know they seriously looked and continue to look at adding aircraft such as the B-29, Martin B-26 and F-105 to their flying collection. This wouldn't be possible if they weren't as cost conscious and business savvy as they are.JohnB wrote:A question...
Last year they had their B-17,24, Mustang and Skyraider at an event.
I've been kicking myself for not going in the AD.?
I heard that the Skyraider didn't make as much money as they had hoped, so it might change where they take that aircraft on tour this year. With the addition of the newly added TP-40, it wouldn't surprise me if the Skyraider was dropped entirely from the tour.
Sun Mar 24, 2019 12:39 pm
Sun Mar 24, 2019 2:52 pm
Sun Mar 24, 2019 3:01 pm
lucky52 wrote:What is that panel sticking up above the canopy?