timstqy wrote:
I am one of two members of five that did not speak to the media that day and advised the entire crew to stay away from speaking with them, as they typically report what they want anyway.
This was heartbreaking to witness in person, and I felt like my heart just got yanked out and chopped in half.
Yes it did cause MAJOR damage but all the required parts to put her back together have been found...instead of directing comments to the tragic events I would encourage you to direct your attention to the fact that a group of dedicated volunteers did an outstanding job restoring this jet to it's original out of the factory 1958 paint job..."the Albino Angels" scheme. This jet (BuNu142200)only made 1 cruise (WestPac) on the Shangri-La 1958 then was used as a training aircraft until feb1969. In August of the same year it was put on it's pylon.
In 2008 it was blown down by a wind storm (three of the four studs holding it to the pylon where broken (rusted through due to lack of care)...the forth stud finally gave way). When I got involved with this crew they had no clue how to proceed with the restoration...I asked only 1 question...How do you want to restore this ...do you want to fix it or do you want to fix it right?
they answered the question to correct and i was then involved...
We gave this aircraft a complete corrosion control eval and going over to clean it up. We had to fix damage as a result of the fall in 2008. Now you see what happened this past June as a result of someone who do not know the limits of his machine...
What I would ask is that you give support to us volunteers and contact the City to ensure this aircraft is put back together correctly and no"shortcuts" are taken to just put it back up on it's display post...
A big THANK YOU, to you and your fellow restorers. You are IT, what this preservation "thing" is all about. KUDOS!!!
Saludos,
Tulio