Warbird Information Exchange

Incorrect info

I'll keep this short. The Kansas Aviatoin Museum is a pathetic excuse for a museum. No excuses, just pathetic.
I visited it while attending Flight Safety last Fall and was shocked at how poorly they were managing all of their so called assets. They have Doc, which will never fly again , but they also had a Beech Starship which flew in 3 years ago, a Learjet 23, serial number 6, a military Queen Air, a once beautiful FAA owned T-33 and many others that once flew into the museum only to be left outside in the elements. No tie downs, canopy covers, engine covers, bird protection, nothing. Flat tires, fading paint, junk everywhere.
It would be nice if they would sell off some of their assets and get a plan.

This doesn't bode well for the B29! Get her out of there pronto!!

_________________
Cheers,
Peter

________

Not too many people seem to know that Doc is/was privately owned by Tony Mazolini and his late partner David Tallichet.

I do not know if this is still the case, but if it is, I would imagine that Doc will be tied up for a while until the estate is settled.

_________________
To donate to the PV-2D project via PayPal click here http://www.twinbeech.com/84062restoration.htm

We brought her from: to this in 3 months: Help us get her all the way back

All donations are tax deductible as the Stockton Field Aviation Museum is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Tell a friend as the Harpoon needs all the help she can get.

Thank you!

Taigh Ramey
Vintage Aircraft, Stockton, California
http://www.twinbeech.com
'KEEP ‘EM FLYING…FOR HISTORY!'

why would a privately owned aircraft be totally dependant on fundraising from private individuals (not the owner) to get back in the air? Whats in it for the donors?

It seems to me that there are always feelings/ egos at stake when people get involved financially in "someone else's" project, whether it be Doc, Glacier Girl, or anything else of that nature.

Personally, if I had the zillions required to "own" a B29, I wouldn't dream of asking for for donations so I could restore it. I wouldn't want the hassle of knowing that someone would feel like they had bought a vote in my paint scheme, flying schedule, or how I managed the restoration.

Maybe its just me..

B

_________________
documenting restored B-17s and those undergoing restoration to flight:

Mr. Mazolini strikes me as an average guy, like you and I and many others here on WIX. I do not think he has zillions of dollars but he was smart enough to swing a trade to get title to the B-29. Many of us dreamers have done the same thing; grab and hold on to a project that is way above our heads and figure out how to make it work later.

Not many folks can afford to restore a B-29 let alone fly one so he has done the best he can to keep his dream alive. He didn't have enough money to rebuild the Superfortress so he turned to outside help and a financial partner; Tallichet.

At first he tried to work on the B-29 out in the desert next to China Lake but that was not going to work. When Boeing offered a hangar in Wichita he wisely jumped at the chance.

As with all Warbird organizations, especially ones that rely heavily on volunteers, there will be many folks that become disillusioned and disgruntled. This B-29 project is no exception.

I hope that everything works out with Doc as a lot of good folks have busted their rear ends to get her where she is today. What a treat it will be to see two B-29's in the air again.

At one time Paul Allen expressed interest in acquiring a B-29. Mr. Allen is one of those rare individuals who could make that project happen! I hope he rekindles that spark.

_________________
To donate to the PV-2D project via PayPal click here http://www.twinbeech.com/84062restoration.htm

We brought her from: to this in 3 months: Help us get her all the way back

All donations are tax deductible as the Stockton Field Aviation Museum is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Tell a friend as the Harpoon needs all the help she can get.

Thank you!

Taigh Ramey
Vintage Aircraft, Stockton, California
http://www.twinbeech.com
'KEEP ‘EM FLYING…FOR HISTORY!'

The whole thing is pretty disappointing. I feel bad for the volunteers who were working so hard on this plane. At a minimum, I'd like to see it properly stored...

_________________
"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

I dont think DOC will ever fly. My 2 cents worth.

_________________
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

Another picture...

http://news.webshots.com/photo/24812746 ... 9665LhpVDT

_________________
"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

I hint the thought that Doc will never fly either. Nice try but it might not work out. I used to be up on Doc but lost interest.


I actually talked to Tony M. and also gave a small donation.

_________________
Shop the Airplane Bunker At
www.warbirdbunker.com

The Post that APG85 put up shows this B-29 in what appeared to be happier and more promising days.
Surely, some rich dude has some interest in the former Backbone of this nation, and can offer up a place to store and rebuild this machine and put her back in the air. I too am afraid that Doc will not fly again. Sure hope I am proven wrong.

_________________
Kind Regards,
Gary Lewis
J.A.F.O.

There's so much aviation hangar space around Wichita it would seem that somebody would be able to find it a temporary home--it doesn't necessarily take a rich dude. Cessna, Bombardier, Raytheon and Boeing are all there as well as the USAF. I wish one organization there (or all of them) would pay homage by donating some temporary space to get her out of the weather until progress can be made.

_________________
"They done it, they done it, damned if they ain't flew." December 17, 1903

So close yet so far away

_________________
" excuse me stewardess I speak jive"

Guys, take a few minutes to call around to find out what a minimum 150'x150' hangar space on a 6000'+ hard surface runway that will support a 140,000# A/C goes for per month. You need to also get one that has all the required support facilities such as a sheet metal shop/hydraulic shop/etc. as well as electrical lighting, compressed air and all the goodies. Then ask if a large number of volunteers coming and going all day long and using parking spaces and other facilities are welcomed. Chances are that any facilities that qualify are already being rented at a high fee and the large number of people involved are not welcomed.
This is not as easy as it might seem. The magnitude of an operation to support an A/C of this size is absolutely overwhelming. If it weren't, both DOC and FIFI would be out there flying formation.

And Paul's in Seattle so maybe he could be the savior of this. I'm disappointed too, as I love bombers. I've always been excited about this project and I bought a shirt at Reno in 2006 with Doc on it.

John