BKD makes a good point. A good example of a very impressive airplane that just doesn't do that well on the airshow circuit is the C-46. The Tinker Belle has been sitting here, stagnant, for several years now because there's nobody out there that wants to have those types of operating costs with an airplane that doesn't get very much attention. The Tinker Belle toured with the B-29 and B-24 many years ago, and I've been told that the majority of the time, it was quite difficult to talk the sponsors into paying for a "big DC-3." After all, that's what most people think it is anyway, right?

Anyway, the C-46 was generally a huge hit once it did arrive, and the sponsors were generally happy with the results, but since very few people in the general public knew what it was, it was always a difficult sale.
The Shackleton is another fine example of a very cool and rare airplane that very, very few people hire to come to airshows.
Now, I totally understand that the operating costs of a C-46 and especially the Shackleton are considerably higher than what the Mauler would be, but the fact is that just because Warbird junkies would love to see the Mauler flying at every show in the country, doesn't mean that the public would support it.
Personally, I'd love to see the Mauler back in the air, along with the B-23, and other various projects that the CAF has. However, it all boils down to money and people. Money to fund these projects, and people to have the desire and passion to restore them and restore them properly.
Gary