End of an era...beginning of a new one.

mdb4360 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 16, 2006 8:06 pm

This has been an incredible week. The first highlight was meeting long time acquaintance Mike Rawson in the flesh after a year of swapping parts over the phone. I learned a lot from Mike about the disassembly of a TBM and I'm really glad to have a had chance to work with him. What an experience!

Come back again soon Mike, there's quite a few things going on in Orlando besides Disney World!

The next highlight, gets me to the topic of this posting.

Tom Reilly's Flying Tigers Warbird Restoration Museum will be closing it's doors for good as of April 1st. Although a new warbird exhibit of some type will be inhabiting the spaces, gone will be the incredible restorations that only Mr. Reilly is capable of. For those of you that never had the pleasure of visiting his museum it was a local landmark of parts and pieces waiting to fly again. Or as Mr. Reilly would say JUNK with a "Q" (thus making it expensive junk). How many times have I wandered around the piles of parts and treasures!

But it's not all bad news. The hurricanes of 2004 were the coupe de grace, almost destroying the 12 year restoration of the B-17 Liberty Belle. She survived the hurricane and tornadoes (ironically I believe that airframe was wrecked in a tornado) to make her maiden flight on December 8th, 2004. Now she is based in a WWII era hanger in Douglas, GA where Mr. Reilly will not only maintain it (as well as his B-25, Killer Bee) he will begin the resurrection of another B-17 wreck as well as a new P-40 to be owned by Mr. Don Brooks of Greenland Expedition Society fame.

Mr. Reilly is currently finishing the moving process of his incredible inventory of aircraft parts to his new and very spacious facilities, and still found time to appear at the TICO 2006 airshow this past weekend.

I would like to thank Mr. Reilly for the years of experiences he has provided with his museum and the opportunity to serve on his flight crew for the airshow. He truly is one of the nicest and most knowledgable people in aviation today and it's a pleasure to know him.

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Chuck Gardner · **Posted:** Thu Mar 16, 2006 9:08 pm

The P-40 left today for GA on a trailer. The A-26 is being disassembled today. The tail was removed along with the props, engines and cowlings. It will be loaded on a truck and shipped to Charlotte along with the F-100. It should be gone by the weekend. The panther should be trucked out in the next few weeks too. The DC-3 is being worked on again with intent to fly it out soon.

Chuck Gardner · **Posted:** Fri Mar 17, 2006 12:15 pm

TimAPNY · **Posted:** Fri Mar 17, 2006 12:22 pm

Everything I see a new picture of the A-26 it makes me want to cry. :cry:

It was so beautiful at one time.

wendovertom · **Posted:** Fri Mar 17, 2006 2:18 pm

Hey - is that a Prowler airframe behind the A-26?? And can anyone say if the panther is ever destined to fly again?

The F-14 retirement has got me think about "cat flights" again. Oceana NAS is trying to put a massive "cat flight" together for the show this year.

Tom P.

HELLDIVERS · **Joined:** Sun Nov 07, 2004 3:38 pm **Posts:** 642

Hi Mike!! Welcome to the wix board but be careful it can be addicting!! Thanks for all your help on the TBM it saved many hours!!Keep up the good work and your always welcome if you get to Minnesota.Take care and kEEP EM FLYING .Thanks Mike

systemofadown1162 · **Posted:** Sat Mar 18, 2006 5:42 pm

Whish I had knowen about the shop would have paid a visit. :cry:

Paul Krumrei · **Joined:** Sun Apr 03, 2005 11:06 pm **Posts:** 1757

Chuck,

May I use your photos to update my warbird-central.com database?

Thanks in advance!

Also, do you have more information on her?

Thanks,

Chuck Gardner · **Posted:** Sun Apr 02, 2006 1:42 pm

You can use the pictures, Paul.
Here are some very recent pictures of the disnantling of the museum in Kissimmee.

global111 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 03, 2006 12:54 pm

wendovertom wrote:

Hey - is that a Prowler airframe behind the A-26?? And can anyone say if the panther is ever destined to fly again?

The F-14 retirement has got me think about "cat flights" again. Oceana NAS is trying to put a massive "cat flight" together for the show this year.

Tom P.

Yes its an A-6, its also the only outstanding query fo Kissimmee when I visited in August 05, does ayone have the serial/ construction number for it?

mrhenniger · **Posted:** Mon Apr 03, 2006 12:57 pm

global111 wrote:

Yes its an A-6, its also the only outstanding query fo Kissimmee when I visited in August 05, does ayone have the serial/ construction number for it?

Chris isn't the person interested in the BuNO of the A-6. If anyone knows, please post here!

Chris... Did you get my list?

Mike

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