LSFM news
Thu Jan 23, 2020 10:09 am
It was announced on Facebook that LSFM's B-17 Thunderbird will fly for the final time in 2020 this Saturday the 25th. They haven't specified if it's just for the remainder of the year our if it's a permanent thing. They cited rising costs as the main reason. They encouraged anyone interested to be there, and are selling rides for the event.
Re: LSFM news
Thu Jan 23, 2020 10:52 am
bomberfan wrote:It was announced on Facebook that LSFM's B-17 Thunderbird will fly for the final time in 2020 this Saturday the 25th. They haven't specified if it's just for the remainder of the year our if it's a permanent thing. They cited rising costs as the main reason. They encouraged anyone interested to be there, and are selling rides for the event.
Woah. Hmmm. I'd bet insurance after last year's crash.
Re: LSFM news
Thu Jan 23, 2020 11:07 am
RyanShort1 wrote:bomberfan wrote:It was announced on Facebook that LSFM's B-17 Thunderbird will fly for the final time in 2020 this Saturday the 25th. They haven't specified if it's just for the remainder of the year our if it's a permanent thing. They cited rising costs as the main reason. They encouraged anyone interested to be there, and are selling rides for the event.
Woah. Hmmm. I'd bet insurance after last year's crash.
Possibly. I'd suspect that kind of thing would hit everyone.
Re: LSFM news
Thu Jan 23, 2020 11:22 am
bomberfan wrote:It was announced on Facebook that LSFM's B-17 Thunderbird will fly for the final time in 2020 this Saturday the 25th. They haven't specified if it's just for the remainder of the year our if it's a permanent thing. They cited rising costs as the main reason. They encouraged anyone interested to be there, and are selling rides for the event.
Bummer
Re: LSFM news
Thu Jan 23, 2020 11:46 am
It was bound to happen sooner or later. At some point it will no longer be economically viable to keep em flying.
Re: LSFM news
Thu Jan 23, 2020 12:16 pm
It appears that some of the less active / aggressive groups that fly a B-17 are going this way as a trend.
Fuddy Duddy
Pink Lady
Thunderbird
The aircraft are flyable but the groups that own them currently are being more selective in operating them. Maybe taking off a year or two (or more) from operating them, eliminating all the costs (and insurance) that would go along with it. With a great group like the LSFM, and their amazing new headquarters, I'm sure its only a matter of time until they get her flying again.
Fuddy Duddy
Pink Lady
Thunderbird
The aircraft are flyable but the groups that own them currently are being more selective in operating them. Maybe taking off a year or two (or more) from operating them, eliminating all the costs (and insurance) that would go along with it. With a great group like the LSFM, and their amazing new headquarters, I'm sure its only a matter of time until they get her flying again.
Re: LSFM news
Thu Jan 23, 2020 12:35 pm
LSFM has been through a lot with the damage from Hurricane Ike and the subsequent relocation of the collection to Houston. Hopefully this grounding is temporary and can be resolved in a way that makes sense for the museum.
Re: LSFM news
Thu Jan 23, 2020 1:56 pm
ARRGH - First Neil Peart now this! Alas I agree, it will come to pass at some point for all of them I guess.
Tom P.
Tom P.
Re: LSFM news
Thu Jan 23, 2020 4:46 pm
Slightly off topic but, where is the former LSFM PV-2D Harpoon now?
Re: LSFM news
Thu Jan 23, 2020 5:55 pm
Warbird Kid wrote:Slightly off topic but, where is the former LSFM PV-2D Harpoon now?
The Harpoon was sold before the move to Houston to a guy in Northeast Texas. This guy has a ranch with several airplane remains. Was gonna used the Harpoon as a “bunk house” for kids to sleep in. Don’t know if those plans have changed. I can’t remember the guys name. He removed some parts right away. As of a couple weeks ago I saw a picture of the fuselage on a trailer looking like it was almost ready to go.
Re: LSFM news
Fri Jan 24, 2020 8:54 am
67N20 wrote:Warbird Kid wrote:Slightly off topic but, where is the former LSFM PV-2D Harpoon now?
The Harpoon was sold before the move to Houston to a guy in Northeast Texas. This guy has a ranch with several airplane remains. Was gonna used the Harpoon as a “bunk house” for kids to sleep in. Don’t know if those plans have changed. I can’t remember the guys name. He removed some parts right away. As of a couple weeks ago I saw a picture of the fuselage on a trailer looking like it was almost ready to go.
That's really depressing. Wish I didn't ask now.
Last edited by Warbird Kid on Fri Jan 24, 2020 2:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: LSFM news
Fri Jan 24, 2020 1:36 pm
wendovertom wrote:ARRGH - First Neil Peart now this! Alas I agree, it will come to pass at some point for all of them I guess.
Tom P.
One heck of a drummer he was!
Re: LSFM news
Fri Jan 24, 2020 5:29 pm
Wonder if Collings would make a trade for the ex-CIA B-17, if Thunder Bird is ready to go into service now?
Re: LSFM news
Sun Jan 26, 2020 3:55 pm
Chris Brame wrote:Wonder if Collings would make a trade for the ex-CIA B-17, if Thunder Bird is ready to go into service now?
I doubt it, especially after the FAA pulled the plug on the Collings Heritage Flights.
Re: LSFM news
Sun Jan 26, 2020 6:38 pm
JFS61 wrote:Chris Brame wrote:Wonder if Collings would make a trade for the ex-CIA B-17, if Thunder Bird is ready to go into service now?
I doubt it, especially after the FAA pulled the plug on the Collings Heritage Flights.
Can you site a source?
This one seems to indicate otherwise: https://www.wbur.org/bostonomix/2020/01 ... -b17-crash