Warbird Information Exchange

I've lost track of how many times I've said it, but I can't wait for a photo of their Ju-87 flying to pop up online from out of the blue as did the Il-2.

It would be wonderful to see the Betty fly, but even an intact example would be great to see. More power to them, and I imagine the sale would be a great shot in the arm for POF.

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Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG".
https://linktr.ee/zacyates

"It's his plane, he spent the money to restore it, he can do with it what he wants. I will never understand what's hard to comprehend about this." - kalamazookid, 20/08/2013
"The more time you spend around warbirds the sooner you learn nothing, is simple." - JohnB, 24/02/22

It was a pretty neat display . Mostly all there althought the engines were sitting on the deck and the tail was bent at an angle to save hangar space. Would've liked to have seen those items re-attached however it was very easy to imagine it as a once flyable aircraft. Such an important type in WW II history. Marine fighter ace Pappy Boyington got to ride in one as a POW. Possibly the crown jewel of their collection. The P-12, At-12. P-26, P-59, etc., certainly don't have same amount of war history. Best case would've been for ownership to change with it staying in CHino and some restoration began.
Sadly it will go from being a "dead airplane" proudly displayed like a trophy Moose head to be admired, to , like Marine aviator/ baseball legend Ted William's head into a sort of cryogenically preserved storage for almost perpetuity. Perpetually stored until the money runs out which will be beyond our lifetimes.

A few images from several years ago:





(I didn't say good images... )

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All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

just curious, which one is in better shape (?), the Betty ?, or Swamp Ghost ?

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WWI & WWII Warbird Fan.

Hands down, Swamp Ghost

I wonder if whoever bought it could get assistance from Mr. Harada in Japan or maybe even purchase some of his Betty bits.

Mac

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WWII Naval Aviation Research - Pacific
https://www.ww2nar-pac.com/

It kinda makes me sad to hear everyone bitching about this.

Is it a shame that people won't be able to see that diorama anymore? Yes, it was pretty cool to see it up close. But come on. I hear a lot of people pissing and moaning about Paul Allen and what the ultimate fate of this plane will be. Contrary to what some of the opinions posted even on this thread, the planes at the FHC are gorgeously restored--almost to the point of over-restored. There are a lot of them on display at any given time. There are many more undergoing various levels of restoration back to flying status. And virtually all of them that are on display in the various hangars ARE flown...both regularly in the pattern on fly days, but also at airshows in and around the region.

The fact that the guy who is in charge of Planes of Fame these days is also one of the display pilots for Paul Allen tells me that Steve Hinton felt this was a good idea for POF too. This wasn't a matter of poaching a display just because some rich guy had money.

And if you want to complain that a lot of Paul Allen's aircraft are hidden out of sight while they wait for their turn in the restoration shop, I say it is no worse than Kermit Weeks and all of his hidden treasures that the public will only see when he's ready to show them.

I see this as a win-win all the way around.

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Offer me solutions, offer me alternatives, and I decline......

*meekly raises hand* I'm not bitching, I think it's a great idea! I agree that it's a total win-win.

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Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG".
https://linktr.ee/zacyates

"It's his plane, he spent the money to restore it, he can do with it what he wants. I will never understand what's hard to comprehend about this." - kalamazookid, 20/08/2013
"The more time you spend around warbirds the sooner you learn nothing, is simple." - JohnB, 24/02/22

Maybe Paul Allen should try and get the nose piece of the NASM's Betty as well. There is probably a zero chance the NASM would ever get around to displaying it.

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

and when they build the wing jigs....a set for Mr Harada's one as well?.......a massive win for japanese aircraft fans...finally we will see a restored G4M....maybe 2

You said it!

The problem is the (now formerly) PoF Betty is a G4M1, while the NASM example is a G4M2..very different animals.

I certainly hope this one gets restored..even it's it's just static, I would love to see a complete Betty.


SN

Honestly, I am not too hot on these Dioramas. I would actually like to see the pieces displayed openly for maximum effect. This almost feels like something Disneyland would set up in front of some ride.

I feel that the POF and FHC are doing the right thing and getting this bird on a path to it being a bit more complete, if not an outright flyer, and displayed in a very nice manner when done. Plus, it give POF more room for something else to be brought in from the cold! Also, they could be using funds from this to get Lilly in the air.

Win Win!

P.S. Don't forget POF sold off some complete flyers that are now static. This could be the complete opposite. Any POF people care to chime in?

seems Mr Harada's one is a G4M2 as well....is there much changed with the wings?....i'd love to see one fully restored ...i'd be very happy with static.

Good day,

For those interested, here is a photo of the Betty in the early seventies at Babo airfield. Note it was already dismantled when damaged by USAAF air raids.

Laurent


Babo-005 by Bob, sur Flickr