Warbird Information Exchange

So, what with moving and getting a job and lots of school and once again having a hard time really doing anything about anything else other than school (which involves flight school, before you ask), I've disappeared from the scene. This isn't to say I was ever terribly involved in the scene, because I wasn't, and I've doubtless gone down in the annals of warbirddom as its most forgettable, albeit enthusiastic, member--that is, if I had been remembered in the first place.

For those of you who can't tell, that's an example of my terrible sense of humor.

Anyways, were there any recoveries or big news things or anything that happened while I was away (mid-October?) that I should know about? I can't even afford magazine subscriptions right now, so I haven't even been able to renew those, and therefore, don't keep up with them.

Accursed flight fees! Why must flight training be so expensive?

Any financially rewarding career will have a high price of admission...

P.S. That was an example of my lame sense of humor.

As Bdk hinted with his implied irony...because it'll barely pay the bills when your done..
but you'll have air under your wings..ya' gotta' love it!

_________________
He bowls overhand...He is the most interesting man in the world.
"In Peace Japan Breeds War", Eckstein, Harper and Bros., 3rd ed. 1943(1927, 1928,1942)
"Leave it to ol' Slim. I got ideas...and they're all vile, baby." South Dakota Slim
"Ahh..."The Deuce", 28,000 pounds of motherly love." quote from some Mojave Grunt
DBF

bdk, I think I know a grand total of two people with a better sense of humor.

Airnutz, this is my intended career, ya know. Despite the fact I'm going through that whole "do I want to do this even though I've been wanting it since I was two" phase, I'm pushing on. Crappy weather's been a problem too; as well as scheduling. The life of a student is a grand thing.

I'm guessing there was no big Warbird news while I was gone? It's good to know y'all are doing fine without me. *wink*

Glad to hear from you Wolverine..sounds like you've plotted a good course!

Welcome to the rest of your life... we never stop learning...

Naw..nothing major..somethangs bought..somethangs sold. A few "blips" on the B-23 screen. Tho...Ezell busted
a big 'un with their gorgeous Red Bull YP-38 rendition of Lefty's bird!!

Swamp Ghost is still on the dock...sigh.. Keep in touch!!!

_________________
He bowls overhand...He is the most interesting man in the world.
"In Peace Japan Breeds War", Eckstein, Harper and Bros., 3rd ed. 1943(1927, 1928,1942)
"Leave it to ol' Slim. I got ideas...and they're all vile, baby." South Dakota Slim
"Ahh..."The Deuce", 28,000 pounds of motherly love." quote from some Mojave Grunt
DBF

In addition to what's been said, there was a major coup of several warplanes being recovered from Ballalae island in the Solomons. So far 4 Japanese birds have been brought out of there with about 10 more to go. It appears to be headed toward a quagmire just like Swamp Ghost, so I'm not optimistic it will end well without major legal and political ramifications. Let's see, what else.....

The CAF's B-29 was given a MAJOR sponsorship from the Cavanaugh Museum in Dallas. FIFI will begin the complete re-motoring to more reliable -3350's and fly within the next few years. Under the agreement, both FIFI and Ole' 927 (B-24A) will both be based at the Cavanaugh museum.

The Cavanaugh Museum's quasi- F4U-1C made it's first flight recently, but blew it's motor.

The Lone Star Flight Museum's A-20 will be leaving this weekend for rebuild at Aero Trader, before she leaves to fly in Australia with a new owner.

Rod Lewis continues to buy more and more warbirds and appears to be coming the new Paul Allen of Texas. He has 3 Bearcats now, in addition to Glacier Girl, P-47, Corsair, Mustang, B-25, P-47 and probably several more deals looming.

The Planes of Fame continue restorations with the plans to fly both their P-59 and HA-1112 (Spanish -109) at the annual airshow in May.

Pink Lady, the French B-17, has apparently been grounded for good, due to exorbant insurance requirements brought about by unfair and archaic EU flight rules.

A few fighters have crossed the oceans, both coming and going to Aussieland and Great Britain.

The first Flug Werk FW-190D, "long nose" is going to make its first flight in Florida pretty soon.

Some major film projects are impending, including "Dam Busters" and "The Pacific"- the Tom Hanks / Steven Speilberg sequal to "Band of Brothers". "The Pacific" is filming now.

Dave Tallichet passed away last fall. The fate of his collection is not yet decided.

A couple more P-38's have flown or will fly very shortly. By the end of this year, a total of 6 will be currently airworthy and flown on a regular basis.

In current Air Force news, the F-117 is being retired for good in a couple of more months, the first B-2 crash happened in Guam last week.

There's probably a lot more news that I'm forgetting, but that's all I can remember off the top of my head.

Of course, we remember you! I always enjoyed your reports on "Doc". Too bad, she will probably never fly under the current arrangements. Have you heard anything different?

Welcome Back!

Nope, we've been waiting upon your return. Let the news flow! Welcome back.

What?!!!!!?!!!?!



I always was disappointed in the quality of my reports, but living in a house where aviation, especially Warbirds, is generally discouraged (for instance, all of my aviation books and magazines were confiscated before my move because they "praised violence." Yeah... some people really don't know what they're talking about.

Really, all Doc needs is a place to stay right now. That and engines. I asked why they didn't use some cheaper (relative term, I know), more reliable variant of the 3350s and they said it was because it would be too much of a hassle to get it certified. Me, I think if I was in charge I wouldn't have an issue, especially since the old-school versions are apparently a lot more expensive to buy and maintain. Oh well, I'm not the one providing funding.



That's what I'm talking about! Which ones (besides the aforementioned Ezell one)?