Warbird Information Exchange

One thing we need to remember is not all people have the same knowledge base, may be new to the scene and just need a simple point in the right direction. The Kee-Bird may still be fresh and emotional to many, or it may be the first time someone heard about it. Many special interest forums tend to have a whole host of "experts" that see things like this as old news, but unfortunately some of these folks are quick to shoot newbies down with abandon. I prefer providing education.

We still have people and journalists discovering something "new" like the Soplata collection, buried spitfires, a new clue in the Amelia Earhart case, etc, and folks ask a question or want to discuss it on the forum- and others shut them down without education. I say refer them to a source, a prior entry, educate them WHY this is BS or do something more creative than saying we don't need to talk about it.

Well, there's still Lodestar CF-CPA, if the project ever gets started up again...

(image via wingsmagazine.com)

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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)

Thanks for the info. I just ordered that book used off Amazon for $4.38. Can't go wrong there.

Thanks. That makes sense and is probably why someone wouldn't know the full details about a heavy fragment crash that there's no chance of a rebuild.

NEWSFLASH * PRESIDENT LINCOLN* NEWSFLASH" This just in, "President Lincoln still dead!" Remember that SNL news skit with Dan Akroyd and Gilda Radner? And "Jane the ignorant slut" that's why I check into dead topics. NO disrespect intended to those that post, it just a curiosity, what could they possibly find anew in a dead topic? You know that freighter DC-3 that landed in the short of the runway in saltwater in the Caribbean. Well it's still there and not one person with money is going after it. I'd like to see a little cemetary list with crosses of the airplanes that ain't coming back. And twenty years from now, their status won't have changed.

I'm going to issue a 2015 Challenge; Want to get into the game? Rescue or rebuild something? If you show up with a 501C3 letter from a museum or tax exempt organization I will donate one of these two items, your choice;

1) starter group of items to build up your own military airport jeep. Early M-38 wheels with mounted NDT tires, radio, whip antenna, seat cushions, spark plugs and wires,straps, hardware,stencils, lots of stuff you need to convert a civilian jeep to a military look. Value $2,000, Free , come get it. OR

2) Heintz 601HD light sport aircraft, starter kit. 5 years old with serial number, blueprints, tail empennage kit, rudder and wing spars. still in the box. Value $2,000. Free, bring tax exempt letter and come get.

3) Whomever shows up will get some extra items thrown in the pot to sweeten the deal.

Gas in Tennessee is $1.81 a gallon today and hotels in my town are $35 bucks. If that is too much you can overnight at my house and eat our food. Any serious inquiries can pm me to get my phone number and address and schedule pickup. Will throw in free ropes and boards if needed. There are "talkers" and there are "Doers" , and this is a good opportunity for someone.

Glad to see that education is still lacking in Tennessee

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" I am a nobody in aviation, but somebody to my family."

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WOW! When I joined this site I was under the impression that it was an open forum to discuss EVERYTHING warbirds. I was not aware that it was a site to bash others opinions or dreams. So what some of us have had the experience of working on or salvaging warbirds and some others have only dreamt of it or enjoyed our exploits through our posts. So what Kee-Bird has been talked about many times, or the Soplata collection talked about many times. People should take the time to realize that maybe each time a topic is talked about there very well may be something new we've not known about and with every rumor there is a bit of truth within that rumor. I'm by no means as knowledgeable as others on here and I'm more knowledgeable than others but does that make those who know more better than me, or me better than those that aren't as knowledgeable? NO! Why don't we WIXers all get back to what this site was intended for, sharing a passion for warbirds? I've posted many times on this site and I've never tried to offend anyone and if I did I apologize. There's been threads on here that I didn't agree with but that does not give me or anyone the right to question others passion, knowledge, educational background, or way of life. Thanks to all who read this and I certainly hope we can continue to share with each other here.on WIX!

.02 worth

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A&P/I.A., A.A.S./Aviation Maintenance technology
Warbird salvage/recovery
One day I'll get that P-40!

Does anyone know if the entire crew has passed away? Possibly including others who have flown on the kee bird on a separate time

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" I am a nobody in aviation, but somebody to my family."

Not up to date, but here's a link to the crew:

http://www.b29keebird.net/main.html

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

Wait... what? You mean WIXers do that kinda stuff? Oh, Lordy, Lordy, Lordy! Please say it isn't so!

Sarcasm... a free service I offer!

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Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Port Charlotte, Florida

Yeah, that's pretty much every site.
Welcome to the internet.

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Life member, 91st BG Memorial Association
Owner, 1944 Willys MB #366014
Former REMF (US Army, O3)

Or by me as I have typed this very information more than once on this topic. Yes the Nova documentary has painted a pretty picture of this tragic story. But seeing the behind the scenes footage, that pretty picture become just like ODDBALL with his paint ammo.
Money was not on their side on this. If it were still there, Paul Allen would have had a much better chance at getting it off using the same method if he so choose.
I am sure that if someday someone decides to go up and fund the recovery of what is left, a large batch of lawyers will be knocking at their door to claim what is theirs. I will be the first to notify a family friend who had 30K in Propeller parts go to the bottom of the lake and he has the paperwork and salvage rights to prove it. Im not a betting man but I am pretty sure those "0" time engines had the same following.

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Long Live the N3N-3 "The Last US Military Bi-Plane" 1940-1959
Badmouthing Stearmans on WIX since 2005

Now that you mention it, I wonder if Paul Allen ever sits and thinks, "Man, I should have sent my guys up there with all the stuff they'd need, I'd have a B-29 by now if I'd had..."

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Life member, 91st BG Memorial Association
Owner, 1944 Willys MB #366014
Former REMF (US Army, O3)

Did he have guys then? I thought he was a relative newcomer to the game but boy time does fly. He might still be the best candidate since a team of lawyers will be needed, plus a c-47 with skis.

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Always looking for WW2 Half-Tracks and Parts.