Warbird Information Exchange

Whoops you did day C-97 I read -54 in my mind. Is it still out at Floyd?

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Cessna 195

Usually I do not respond on these items, but I have been following this thread for a while and will put on the flame suit..... so here goes..... There are many valid points by everyone.....

On branding and awareness..... Is it quantifiable? Is there a metric to measure it... I am sure there is, but I can tell you this. Like him or not, Steve Brown has enabled the CAF to grow... Detractors he has? Of course..... but overall......
Membership is up, total back to over 10,000
AC total numbers are up, 159, with more possibly on the way
AC total flying is up and climbing, 128 flying, 8 restorations about to fly
New units with aircraft are on the way
National awareness on capitol hill
Increased financial stability

I can also pass on a story related to the "Tramp Stamp"...... Myself, I am not a personal fan of the stamp, for various reasons, and have told Steve this on various occassions..... but, if we are going to put it on the airplanes.... make it look GOOD! On some of the birds (C-47 Bluebonnet Belle) it looks very good! On others (Corsair) it looks like poop! Back to the story.... A few years ago a wing leader (who was very vocal in being against the stamp) told this story (and shortened here for brevity)... This particular wing had several of their aircraft at an airshow or fly-in... He was watching the local news and a tv reporter had clips of the aircraft on the ramp while giving the report on the event... The reporter was rattling off the names of several groups that were attending, including the CAF.... Just as the reporter mentioned the CAF, there was a shot of his units airplane with the "Tramp Stamp", clearly seen by ALL who was watching the broadcast..... No guessing anymore as to whom the aircraft belonged. The wing leader stood up personally in a meeting and gave this report.......no more issues for him on the stamp.....

For Tony..... in recent memory I cannot think of another wing that got snake bit as much as you guys.....

For Saxman and others on the east coast.... Yes, leadership is aware of the lack of units (large or small) on that front...

Does it cost a few dollars to belong to the CAF... yep $200 a year, or auto draft for 19 bucks a month (this is how it works for me), plus whatever the wing dues are (if you choose to belong to a unit)...... For this small amount, how or where else do I get to fly on a B-29 or B-24 as a crew member and be part of a flying historical unit......
That being said.... get out and volunteer for any unit or group, we are all too small in numbers and we all need the help...

alan brooks

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Just call me Al.

Alan, I couldn't agree more!

Happy Fourth of July!

Dan

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Check out our new website.
CAF SoCal Wing http://www.cafsocal.com/

Hey Al, (or anyone knowledgeable on the subject)
I was told by a CAF member that you can't just "volunteer" with your local CAF wing or squadron. You have to be a paid-up member of both the CAF and the local group. True or false?

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Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Port Charlotte, Florida

Yes, you have to be a "paid-up" member of the national group before you can join a regional wing.

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"Welcome back Mr. Lasky."

I have been told that there are insurance issues so you must be a member. It costs me $250 a year which is well worth it and also allows me to fly in CAF aircraft. Just one of my flights in the Mustang makes the dues irrelevant.

Dan

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Check out our new website.
CAF SoCal Wing http://www.cafsocal.com/

C-97? As a flyer?!

Is she an actual Berlin Airlift veteran?


Chappie

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Brrring. Dispersal? TWO SECTIONS SCRAMBLE!!

No Chappie, there was only one C-97 used in the airlift, that would be YC-97A 45-59595

Ours may be painted like 9595, but is actually 52-2718, an ex tanker.

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Kevin Kearney
Vice President
Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation


C-54D "Spirit of Freedom" 43-17228
C-97 "Angel of Deliverance" 52-2718 (painted as YC-97A 45-59595)
C-54E/R5D-4 "Spirit of Freedom" 44-9144 BuNo 90414 (wfu April/2020)
http://www.spiritoffreedom.org

My humble opinion, so we will not agree on like or don't like the CAF brand mark. I do feel that it is becoming a mark that will do what CAF has intended. Purists will only want the birds to look authentic but then argue about whether the paint scheme is appropriate.

I agree that we need to find a way to get more young blood into the organization. In our case with the Wisconsin Wing, we support two aircraft, a PT-26 with 14 pilot sponsors and an SNJ-5 with three. We have 14 new members who have joined us this year. We do a lot of shows with our PX that is very successful in generating funds for our wing. We are a fairly social group that has a lot of activities. All is benefited by the fact that we have about 12 non-CAF warbirds here at KUES so the culture is good.

I think the CAF can be what you make it. Decal or no, I would not be a pilot sponsor if the CAF did not allow us to fly their equipment. My Pop was a WWII fighter pilot flying P-47's and P-38's in CBI. He trained in PT-19 in San Antonio so my PT-26 time means something to me. In time, I will move to the SNJ (T-6) also one of Dad's trainers. Life is good.

Don't lose sight of the fact that pilot sponsorship, membership, and donations are tax deductible. We have non-member volunteers as well. If you want to be a part of our wing, we will accept you with open arms. So, make the CAF be what you want it to be. A provider of historic aircraft for you to enjoy and capitalize on or a pissing contest about former names and "tramp stamps". Your choice, I made mine.

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

Don't let Steve Brown find out you have non-member volunteers in your Wing. He was adamant about that in our Wing, so much that I am not a member any more.

Yeah, sorry. Semantics, not volunteer but social fans. They don't do anything but hang out and drink beer at our social functions.

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

OK There you go, where there is a will...............................