Quick A-25 Move. Hurry, Hurry, Chop, Chop.

[Dan K]

Mike, you were the best foster parent she could've had.

Continued kudos, and keep us posted on life in MO.

[mustangdriver]

Mike you have done an amazing job, and I meant no disrespect to you.

[RNDMTRS4EVR]

Hey Mike;
Sorry to see the things happen the way they did. I just hope you'll get time and funds to start on your TBM. My buddy Juan in Reno always talked about your A-25 restoration efforts and said the work you did was outstanding!
Scott......

Well I guess I'll throw a post in here as well. Mike and some others here may not like a portion of this post, but being a businessman for far too many years, I would have to ask .... Why the heck would you get involved in a project that clearly would take at least seven years to complete and only budget for three or so years? How could you agree to sign a deal that is simply not realistic? I don't know you at all Mike, and I'm sure you're a great guy and very good at your craft, but didn't you see this coming when you signed the bottom line? And keep in mind that I only have the information posted here in the thread to go by as a basis for the overall picture. I'm sure there is much more to this story that really is none of our business, but since this subject has been posted here, we have a door open to speculate, contemplate and most of all ... debate.

I contracted with the Museum to build a static A-25, for a set price, 7 years ago. Acquiring the missing items and fabricating parts from scratch (little things like new longerons), exhausted all of the funds in 3 years. Being a man of my word, I chose to complete the project personally, rather than renegotiate a contract that I had agreed to and felt that I should live up to. I have not received a dime towards the restoration for over four years from the museum, the full brunt of running my shop, keeping the lights on, materials, labor ect., has come from my own pocket, not from the museum.

Good intentions, bad business practice. ..... I'm not sure you can really hold the NMUSAF accountable for this. But I do have to also state that the NMUSAF should have monitored your progress long ago and came up with an alternate financial plan for unforseen obsticles, ... as should have you ...

I'm used to "time and materials" type contracts that specifically state in clear writing that if unforseen construction items, materials and tasks arise, that we sit down and review the status of the project on given times and dates. These are very old and extremely used business tactics that have been successful for many years in many industries.

Now all the above is an example of simple "business 101" ... It by no means reflects "passion, commitment, honor, respect and all the other wonderful emotions that one would like to expect from good human beings. .... I would suggest Mike, (HELLDIVERS) you move forward, you let your feelings and emotions heal and you move on. Seems you have a much better show (job) to display your talents now and a much more appreciative recipient (EDowning) .... who I might add seems to ... "Really get it" ...

Being a good human being is far more valuable than any actions or mistakes a museum could possibly make. You keep your photos of your airplane when it was in your hands. We folks that care about our passion for warbirds know who you are and what you do ... You matter to us .... pretty simple statement there ....

You live and you learn Mike .... I would suggest you take a look at this forum and all the good folks here who "get it" and know how to say "thank you" for your efforts, as I know you have already, without you doing what you do, we have only plastic models to admire .... Cheers

Mark

Last edited by Hellcat on Fri Jun 20, 2008 9:08 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[Jack Cook]

Seems you have a much better show (job) to display your talents now and a much more appreciative recipient (EDowning)
Being a good human being is far more valuable than any actions or mistakes a museum could possibly make. You keep your photos of your airplane when it was in your hands. We folks that care about our passion for warbirds know who you are and what you do ... You matter to us .... pretty simple statement there ....
You live and you learn Mike .... I would suggest you take a look at this forum and all the good folks here who "get it" and know how to say "thank you" for your efforts .... Cheers

Amen brother

[SCOTT G]

HI MIKE, WHY DON'T YOU START WITH A SMALLER PROJECT THIS TIME,
LIKE MAYBE A BT-15.

SCOTT

[davem]

I think the point trying to be made by most is the lack of respect shown to the aircraft, not the business end of things.

I have seen many people do unmentionable things to old aircraft - usually because they were not using their heads or just plain ignorant. For a museum of this stature to disassemble an aircraft the 'wrong way' is very strange, but to do it after being presented the erection manuals and having the capability to do it right and do it so wrong really makes one wonder what exactly is going on and who is going to get whacked in the pee pee.

By definition, these institutions are supposed to preserve aircraft. To do damage when there was information in hand, no time constraints and the resources to do it right you gotta ask questions....

If this was a wreck in the bush and someone had to make a judgement call in the heat of the moment that was, in hindsight, wrong (Rusted, seized bolts, no lifting equipment, bad weather, not enough time - it happens) - so be it.

But when the aircraft is restored, sitting in a hangar, assembled with bright shiny bolts...hmmmm

Maybe we need to hear from the folks on the other side of the fence. (NMUSAF) ... Maybe they have a reason for what they did (albeit probably not a good reason) ....

[Chris]

Mike, I can only add to what others have said. I had no idea just how complex the A-25, SB2C aircraft were until the guys at Yanks let me crawl through theirs. If any of you think it's a beast on the outside, the innards are overwhelming. No wonder they had eight million mods along the way. This has got to be gut wrenching for you, the only solace is knowing that you gave it your very best effort. I just wish you all the best with Erics toys.

[Chunks]

Mike, I don't know you but I've seen some pictures of your work. While they don't say a thousand words, two come to mind...you're awesome. Next time you're ready to rebuild an airplane at your own expense, give me a call. I'll send you an SNJ or two, no disassembly required!

Chunks

[muddyboots]

this is just pathetic. Mike, you were raped, I'm so sorry this happened. Is there anything we WIXers can do as a group, to complain about Mikes treatment? And ESPECIALLY the treatment of the bird?

[gary1954]

I don't believe that we will hear the side of this "problem" with the NMUSAF, and I for one, would like to see somebody's A$$ in a vice over this one bud. the Hot Shot Restoration Supervisor, is this the same one that had the fuel cells removed from the B-17 in the museum. I imagine, that if we could all manage to sign a petition and forward it to all of the members of the House and Senate, tha we could get this *uckstick relieved/fired.
I have never met "Mike". I have, through this forum, seen the photos when this A-25 was with the CAF, and the photos of the dimanteling/destruction of the aircraft. And Mike, ya done a terriffffffic
job man. Until the current restoration supervisor leaves, consider that this is just another government action, probably brought to the dumpster by a democrat.

Last edited by gary1954 on Fri Jun 27, 2008 7:49 am, edited 1 time in total.

[muddyboots]

I probably brought to the dumpster by a democrat.

Leave us out of this. Government stupidity and beurocrats are not limited to, nor appreciated by, most democrats.

[RickH]

No, the Belle info was attributed directly to the General in charge. I think the Belle decisions predate this latest perpetrator, unless he was on board back then in a lesser role.

Gary the pictures show two completely different aircraft. The NMUSAF A-25 wasn't a CAF aircraft. The CAF aircraft was resurected by Nelson Ezell after it was severely damaged at an airshow. The basis for the NMUSAF A-25 which is the main object of this discussion is a recovered crash example which Mike painstakingly made whole again.

[mustangdriver]

Rick with all due respect, the Belle's fuel tanks were crap when they got to the museum. It's not like they were going to be holding fuel, even if they were installed. The tanks were pulled due to corrosion, they will be placed back. BUT, it will not be flown.