Complete and accurate restoration ....

[Hal B]

I personally feel that the A/C should be equipped and maintained to allow the pilot the ability to get out of those IFR situations. That combined with pilot training and proficiency is the safest way to look at that safety issue. The pilot or organization setting go/no go decisions up front based on experience, weather and type flown (single or multi) ties into this as an important factor.
Rich

Guess this just shows that there's always two ways of looking at any issue. I don't necessarily disagree with you, but if the pilot that is instrument rated isn't going to keep themself current on instruments in the warbird (as opposed to a Cessna or Piper) then I feel they may be setting themselves up for a problem by thinking the guages will be there to get them out of a bad situation. Far better in my book to know and accept your (and your aircraft's) limitations and avoid the problem.

Again, I don't disagree with you; just wanted to throw another perspective into the issue.

[Tom H]

Interesting thread....

My two bits,

If the aircraft is in private hands it is really not up to me to tell the owner what to do...I might suggest gently...but thats about it.

If the aircraft is in the public trust, a Museum, things are different.

Aircraft in a museum MUST be restored as close as possible to original (as dollars allow) and preserved that way.

A Museum is a care taker of the history and sometime down the road the changes or errors will come to haunt. If the aircraft is not right and at a time 20 years from now a person researching takes everything he sees as being correct they are lead astray and history is misrepresented. A real shame. And leets face it, we must preserve the artifacts for future generations or the history will be lost.

Are all the aircraft in our museum correct, heck no, but we learn as we go and intend on making corrections when it is time to redo each aircraft.

Some aircraft, with special histories or sole survivors should not, in my opinion, be flown as when they are gone they cannot be replaced. But if it is privately held then I cannot comment as it is not my place, it is up to the owner to decide what he/she feels best.

Other aircraft with no special history or provenence, that can be replaced if lost should be flown. If flown by a Museum they should hopefully be as accurate as possible (as dollars allow). If privately owned, then whatever the owner likes...its his or hers.

There is room for all...static preserved, flying original and altered to the owners desires. but bear in mind Museums should follow tighter guidelines as they are the caretakers or history for the future.

Just my opinion...

Tom H