Warbird Information Exchange

From the look of their Facebook page they have added Canso 9830 to the collection.
Pic linked from their Facebook page-

A good addition, a popular type that is still reasonably available.

If they're taking suggestions for future acquisitions, I can provide a list.

However based on my single instance of contacting the "powers that be", I don't really think they care what the unwashed think.

EDIT: it was for a non-aviation item...one of their cars. I was inviting them on behalf of the marque club to the marque's centennial event at the Indianapolis Spedway, so I wasn't some dumb guy looking for a freebie.

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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.

Since I used to work in that office and could have been called a "power that was" a one point, I can pretty much assure you that it's not that they don't care... it's the fact that 1 to 2 people in the office are answering emails and calls from EVERYONE who wants a ride on the tour planes (that accounts for literally thousands of calls), wants to know more about (insert aircraft or tank here), wants to know when the museum will open, wants to know when the next "Battle for the Airfield" will take place, etc. It's a matter of bandwidth.

They pretty much know what kind of aircraft they want to add... and they have a very good idea of what is on the market (and what's not on the market). Like any warbird owner / collection, every decision must be a smart decision and there are a lot of qualifiers that go into that planning.

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Ryan Keough
Stow, MA

I wonder if some of the Catalina/Canso owners would get together in a consortium, like B-17 owners have, to reduce the cost of manufacturing new rear blisters and bow/turret assemblies? So many of these planes are lacking them.

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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)

A bit off topic but here goes. The National Warplane Museum at Geneseo, NY, acquired a PBY around 1986. They began restoration and added a bow turret with the 'bubble' on top. Of course the NWM left Geneseo for Corning/Elmira around 1993. Perhaps they changed their name to 'Wings of Eagles'? Whatever happened after that, they ran into difficulties, and sold off their B-17G 'Fuddy Duddy' to the Lyon museum in California. The NWM name has reverted to Geneseo, I assume that the museum in Corning/Elmira has closed? So my real question is, where did that PBY go? I'd like to see it fly again, having contributed to its restoration.

It is now part of the American Airpower Museum in Farmingdale, NY

Thanks, Bryan.
That's good to know. Another reason to visit there!

A very worthy addition to the fleet! Bravo to all involved, I'm excited to see the restoration unfold.

Out of interest (paging Encyclopedia John): how many PBYs/PBVs/Cansos are airworthy in the USA?

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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

Off the top of my head around 4.
Known flyers-
Slattery's
Yegan's
Possibly airworthy-
Erickson's
Connie Edwards'
Any others?

While not in the USA, it's pretty darn close!
The Canadian Warplane Heritage Canso is back in the air after a few years of down time. Photo from the CWH Facebook

The fuselage is in Farmingdale, and pretty much looks the same as it did when with NWM/WOE in Elmira, though a bit rougher now. The wings are being restored at American Aero Services in New Smyrna Beach, FL and as of my last visit in 2015, they looked like they were being steadily worked on. I have no additional information as to a timetable to completion.

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Ryan Keough
Stow, MA

Connie's Flying Turtle is quite airworthy. He took it to Oshkosh 2 years ago and there's been a couple of photos floating around on Facebook of more recent outings.

Quick run down from Wiki and here:

Airworthy USA:

Greatest Generation Naval Museum (CA)
Military Aviation Museum (VA)
Erickson Aircraft Collection (OR)
Connie Edwards (TX)

Airworthy Canada:

Canadian Warplane Heritage (ON)
Fairview Aircraft Restoration Society (AB)
Catalina Preservation Society (BC)
Exploits Valley Air Services (NL)

Airworthy Abroad:

Southern Aircraft Consultancy (UK)
Catalina Aircraft Ltd (UK)
Catalina Air Trust (France)
Stichting Exploitatie Catalina (Netherlands)
Qantas Founders Outback Museum (Australia)
Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (Australia)
New Zealand Catalina Preservation Society (New Zealand)
Ibero Chilena de Aviación (Chile)
Athenian Airlift Services (Greece)

Potentially Airworthy

Palm Springs Air Museum (CA)
Flying Cat Aviation (ME)
Hans Lauridsen (AZ)

Under Restoration to Airworthy

American Airpower Museum (NY)
Commemorative Airforce (MN)
Collings Foundation (FL)
Cavanaugh Flight Museum (FL)
Frederick Peterson (WA)

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Keep Em' Flying,
Christopher Soltis
Dedicated to the preservation and education of The Sikorsky Memorial Airport

CASC Blog Page: http://ctair-space.blogspot.com/
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Chicks Dig Warbirds.......right?

Slight correction. This one is under restoration in Duluth, MN.

I don't believe that Buffalo has any Cansos left registered to them (at least not according to Goodall's list or the Canadian Civil Aircraft Register)

Also, don't forget about the Catalina Preservation Society's Canso (RCAF 11025/C-FUAW) in Victoria, BC. http://pbycatalina.com/

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