Fri Oct 29, 2004 5:54 am
Hi
amazing - anyone who can put an ID-tag on this P-51 ?
Thanks
Martin / Swiss Mustangs
amazing - anyone who can put an ID-tag on this P-51 ?
Thanks
Martin / Swiss Mustangs
Fri Oct 29, 2004 7:06 am
NZ2423 , 45-11513
Dave
Dave
Fri Oct 29, 2004 8:47 am
thanks a lot !
Martin
Martin
Fri Oct 29, 2004 1:30 pm
Ah, the struggle of ownership. I look at these photos and want to pull my hair out - WHY WHY WHY are they allowed to decompose in such a manner?? 
But, the owner has 'em and they are his toys not mine. Although when the guy turns down piles of cash for something that others would certainly take good loving care of that leaves ya wondering. I mean, he could write a bill of sale that includes a few hours of cockpit time every year or something. Ugh.
Tom P.
www.wendoverairbase.com
But, the owner has 'em and they are his toys not mine. Although when the guy turns down piles of cash for something that others would certainly take good loving care of that leaves ya wondering. I mean, he could write a bill of sale that includes a few hours of cockpit time every year or something. Ugh.
Tom P.
www.wendoverairbase.com
Fri Oct 29, 2004 6:15 pm
there are a lot of p-40's still in storage in nz, i would sy the guys real name isnt john smith. but he and darby and others recovered a few from those scrap yards.
i wouldnt have the ammount of cash to offer him anymore than others have already offered him so anyone out there thinking of trying i wouldn waste your time.
im sure they will end up in a museum or some rich guys hanger and be gone from everyone one day
i wouldnt have the ammount of cash to offer him anymore than others have already offered him so anyone out there thinking of trying i wouldn waste your time.
im sure they will end up in a museum or some rich guys hanger and be gone from everyone one day
Fri Oct 29, 2004 6:48 pm
wendovertom wrote:Ah, the struggle of ownership. I look at these photos and want to pull my hair out - WHY WHY WHY are they allowed to decompose in such a manner??
Tom P.
www.wendoverairbase.com
You totally mis understand the situation, if it wasn't for John the aircraft wouldn't exist at all. The aircraft are in a hangar where as previously they were in makeshift sheds. He is not interested in selling because he just loves his aircraft AND doesn't want to see them leave NZ.
I guess he is in a similar vane to Walter Soplata.... more power to them
Dave
Fri Oct 29, 2004 7:47 pm
Here is a picture from the NorCal AAHS website, I took earlier this year. And it is a warbird. Info is imbedded in the jpeg....
Fri Oct 29, 2004 10:18 pm
Be careful what you say, BIG BROTHER is watching and waiting to spank you. OR make you lawyer richer.
And remember the PBY-4(?) in a Barn in western NY. They are out there, I just wish I could find one.
And remember the PBY-4(?) in a Barn in western NY. They are out there, I just wish I could find one.
Fri Oct 29, 2004 10:58 pm
If it wasn't for John the aircraft wouldn't exist at all. The aircraft are in a hangar where as previously they were in makeshift sheds. He is not interested in selling because he just loves his aircraft AND doesn't want to see them leave NZ.
Hear, hear, Dave. As I understood it his position is roughly akin to, "you weren't interested when I was working to save these aircraft, why should I be interested in you now?".
He is genuinely interested in people who share his passion for aircraft, and genuinely disinterested in people who want to buy his aircraft, or worse, want to tell him what he should be doing with them. Actually, I tell a lie. He does take an interest in those people - I believe it takes the form of a 12 gauge, under and over? The clear message that I got on my visit many years ago was that there was no quicker way to wear out your welcome than to start a sentence with "how much..." or ""what if..."
People have asked politely and impolitely, gently and forcibly, offered the moon and the sun, and offered nothing but threats, bargained, offered restoration and visitation rights. I understand his response has always been something the lines of "you found your way here, now find your way out again".
One day, short of a disastrous event (God forbid), these aircraft will see the light of day again. It's just his choice as to when and where. Meanwhile, we wait and we wonder.
Chris
Fri Oct 29, 2004 11:00 pm
Sorry, that was me. Forgot to login.
Sat Oct 30, 2004 3:55 pm
There are 12 detailed recent (+ 2 of it outside) pics of the Mosquito NZ2336 on the Mossie.org web site
http://www.mossie.org/NZ2336.htm
As others have said, this is a fantastic time capsule of a Mossie & long may it remain so
http://www.mossie.org/NZ2336.htm
As others have said, this is a fantastic time capsule of a Mossie & long may it remain so
Mon Nov 01, 2004 2:47 pm
Dave,
I understand - I totally agree if it weren't for this guy, and others ie Mr Sopleta, the planes would be drink cans somewhere. I just wonder to what point is storing them away from people and groups that would care for them doing any good?
Being associated with a museum I have seen the scenario happen where the Father/grandfather/etc keeps this important piece of history and then his kids or estate end up with it, no clue or care as to its value and it is pitched/sold for scrap. I wish I had been as interested in warbirds 25 years ago as I am now - there was a "scrap" heap at Wendover airfield as late as the mid 1980's that contained P-47s and multiple sections of B-24s. One of the current airport employees has photos of himself and friends playing out there. BUT someone got wind of the "attractive nucience" (sp??) and the whole pile was carted away.
Our treasure is anothers scrap - I heard of a gentleman who had a B-24 on his Montana ranch some 30+ years ago. He had a few cows get electricuted in a rain storm because they were under the wings/fuselage - so he sold it for scrap not really knowing what he had.
In the end I guess in a barn under a tarp is better than not at all.
Tom P
I understand - I totally agree if it weren't for this guy, and others ie Mr Sopleta, the planes would be drink cans somewhere. I just wonder to what point is storing them away from people and groups that would care for them doing any good?
Being associated with a museum I have seen the scenario happen where the Father/grandfather/etc keeps this important piece of history and then his kids or estate end up with it, no clue or care as to its value and it is pitched/sold for scrap. I wish I had been as interested in warbirds 25 years ago as I am now - there was a "scrap" heap at Wendover airfield as late as the mid 1980's that contained P-47s and multiple sections of B-24s. One of the current airport employees has photos of himself and friends playing out there. BUT someone got wind of the "attractive nucience" (sp??) and the whole pile was carted away.
Our treasure is anothers scrap - I heard of a gentleman who had a B-24 on his Montana ranch some 30+ years ago. He had a few cows get electricuted in a rain storm because they were under the wings/fuselage - so he sold it for scrap not really knowing what he had.
In the end I guess in a barn under a tarp is better than not at all.
Tom P