Warbird Information Exchange

Had not seen this posted to WIX and figured it would be of interest to at least a couple of folks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_cont ... eUjGF9x3k4

Tantalizing, isn't it? Really looking forward to seeing it flying again shortly, now in this superb color scheme. A very well executed color scheme at that - as typical of FHC's handling of their own paintwork, they went to some lengths to try and reproduce the exact original period paintwork look, including hand-brushing the masked-roundels, as some evidence pointed to that is how it was done with the original factory application, and of course hand-painting the personal artwork/markings on the nose.

It continues to be some exciting times for the "Flying Heritage" portion of the collection, with the Mosquito, and now their combat-vet FG-1D to be debuting/flying by June (having been in and out of restoration/storage for close to 20 years). The Me-262 sounds very close to being completed, and their P-38 might just be another year or so away from completion. In addition, it is fairly well known I think that they have a Stuka under restoration to fly (the original-type Jumo engine for it being rebuilt/overhauled here in the US), and if everything goes to plan for them, they'll eventually have a flying He-111, Ju-88, and Betty bomber (makes one wonder though too, if/when we'll ever see the B-17E again, all back together - curious too what may or may not be happening with the Fw-189). With all of that, plus the numerous ground vehicles added to the collection, it's a good thing they are building yet another large hangar to join the existing museum facilities.

Anyone know why Allen and the museum seem to be so tight-lipped about their ongoing projects?

_________________
Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

Because it's his>>>

They once answered that question by stating that it helps to keep parts costs down, if people selling parts (especially hard to find/rare items) don't know that it's going to a deep-pocketed restoration project. They did allow the veil to be lifted a bit early on their Mosquito rebuild, but perhaps that was because the company restoring it already owns the market on Mosquito restorations/parts anyway.

That explanation makes some sense, but in a world where there are only 2-4 B-17 restoration projects ongoing, and the fact that the warbird/antique aircraft "industry" is rather small, such secrecy sounds a bit secret-squirrel to me.

Let's face it, if someone has a part they know is rare and it's for sale on the open market (BTW...are rare parts still out there to be sold?) they're likely to hold up the EAA, CAF, Collings, Lyons or whoever as much as they would Allen. If a seller is just out for obscene profits (look at some of the listings for old aviation stuff nobody needs) they know that anyone rebuilding a B-17/P-51/whatever isn't likely a charity case.

_________________
Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.