Warbird Information Exchange

Well folks, it looks like it's official. The entire Paul Allen collection has sold - lock, stock and barrel - in its entirety.

Details here on facebook, from Air Classics magazine:

https://tinyurl.com/364eevem

Who is the new owner? I'll let them declare that at the time and place of their choosing. If one has been paying attention, it's not hard to figure out who it is though.

Based on the above statement from Air Classics, we can surmise that the new owner is in the United States.

Also, based on my knowledge of who I believe it is, they own one or some warbird(s) and regularly fly them. If they currently fly their own collection, it's not a stretch to imagine that they will keep this a flying collection.

I've also heard through the grapevine that this was the largest sum of money to ever exchange hands for a single deal involving a W.W.II aircraft collection.

If all of the above is true, I think we are all in for a treat and bright future with the prospect of seeing many rare warbirds fly in the future!

Congrats to the gentleman who made all of this possible and is continuing the dreams of Mr. Allen!

Well, that's is most certainly some interesting news. Based on the announcement would it be safe to say that the sale does most likely include all of his other military vehicles (ie the Tanks, rockets, artillery guns, etc)? Also just out of curiosity has anyone heard anything via the grapevine or any rumors about what's going on with the F-105G that the museum had on loan from the NMUSAF?

I don't know definitively, but I've heard rumors that Jody insisted that the collection not be broken up and sold whole. Based on that, I would assume it would include the other military vehicles, but perhaps "whole" meant only the aircraft portion of the collection. Honestly, I don't know. Also, I don't know anything about the F-105 other than they wanted to fly it at one time, but the Air Force quickly nixed that idea.

If this new owner is confirmed to be who I think it is, money and resources won't be a problem whatsoever. That's good news and perhaps will mean the collection will be given all the resources it needs to flourish!

Wonder if the in works projects are included, mainly the Stuka and the 262, and be seen through to flight.

...and the F-86A with Korean War history!

My understanding is "in works" projects are included. However, I don't know the new owner's intent on finishing them either as statics or flyers. He certainly has the money to do so, whether he has the desire or willingness to risk flight due to rarity is another matter entirely.

I had heard the F-86A was very, very close to first flight just before everything shut down. It would be a shame if it never flew.

Mr Allens family was clearly not interested in this sort of thing.
It is very good that someone with interest and passion has regained the helm.
My best to everyone who has invested their sweat and passion in to this collection.
With luck, many will be able to enjoy it for a long time.

Andy

I wonder if the FHCAM name/brand was part of the package deal too?

Also interesting to consider that the collection likely will be relocating, perhaps to a newly built facility rather more centrally located in the country.

Paine never was the ideal airport for a collection like this. If the collection were based in a town that its owner basically owns, he could have everything set up the way he wants it.

August

I also see that the FW-189 is no longer advertised in the UK!

Wonder if it was part of the package deal or if it was snapped by another entity / group?

Interesting info. Thanks for the update.

_________________
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

With all due respect to whomever...

This thread has been pulled twice, now it's back and it still isn't saying who the new owners are.
If the first two attempts didn't name anyone, I fail to see the harm in suggesting a deal is in the works.

So we're back to the popular warbird game of "I know something you don't know.."

Yeah, yeah, privacy and all that, but one cannot buy a well known collection of rare, some one of a kind, artifacts and expect people not to be curious.

And as we used to say in journalism school, there isn't much "expectation of privacy" since once they are flying, their ownership is a matter of public record via the FAA database (albeit often hidden behind corporate names nd P.O. Box numbers).

_________________
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.

The prospect of this collection going back on display is heartwarming. I'm sure this will take a few years considering the size of the collection. Would be cool if some of the aircraft would now travel to airshows like Oshkosh.

The aircraft slated for rebuild might be completed more quickly if the new owner were easier to deal with.

Here's a photo of a nice looking P-51 I found on the internet, just because I like them:



The tinyurl link above has the answer of "who."

Double post....