This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
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Sun May 13, 2007 7:08 pm

dmx wrote:I think the C-46 and the Shack' are in a different leaque than the Mauler. They are rare as well but a single engine fighter or fighter-bomber has more appeal than a transport or a patrol bomber.


Totally disagree. The bigger the plane, the better...IMO...

Sun May 13, 2007 7:17 pm

What if some of us fanatics wrangled up the Mauler, Guardian, and Fireball for one museum?

And put a TBM in there for good measure. :D

Sun May 13, 2007 8:59 pm

dmx makes a very valid point regarding appeal by the public. Of course, we would all take some interest as the B-23 or Shack lumbered by, but the public might take a quick glance and turn back to looking around or talking or doing whatever they had been doing. BUT, when the dark blue AM-1 comes screaming across the field making strafing and bombing runs, I bet every eye would be fixated in awe at the site. The public may think its a Hellcat or Avenger, but they won't care. What they will care about and love to see is that Mauler working the field over.

As a bonus, it was most likely designed and manufactured by the very same folks who created the great Marauder.

Sat May 19, 2007 7:54 am

It is my belief that there are fewer and fewer people each year that care about old airplanes. It is unfortunate, but true. Most airshow spectators today want to hear jets screaming by at mach 1+. Thank God there are still some of us around that live for the older stuff. The warbird operators on the west coast realized back in the 80's that they could no longer afford to go to a show for gas and a room; and the costs have skyrocketed since then. That's the primary reason so many shows have gone out of business.
As an example, the last year of the Yakima WA. show saw both the Blue Angels and Snowbirds appear and the promoters lost their A**es. As much as I love going to the CAF's Airsho, it has gotten smaller each year for the last 3 or 4. Unfortunately, it's a revolving circle. They make less money each year, so the next year they spend less (meaning inviting fewer airplanes and giving them less for coming). There are a thousand reasons why people aren't spending their money on airshows, but it basically comes down to less disposable income perhousehold per year. It sucks, but that's how it is.

RICK
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