Travis AFB downsizing collection

[4RG.I.'S]

Sad news for another aviation display. Hopefully everything surplus to their needs finds a welcome and good home.

http://www.ww2aero.com/travis-afb-herit ... ollection/

[ALOHADAVE]

Here is the short term list:

C-140A Jetstar available or scrapped
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=57431

CH-21B sn 52-8688 available or scrapped
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=57434

H-34 available or scrapped
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=57435

T-39 Sabreliner available or scrapped
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=57436

More to come.
The fate of the above aircraft does not look good. They have already been submitted to DRMO/GSA for future auction/disposal

[JimH]

Just as an aside. There was an effort to raise money and move the collection to The Nut Tree. Unfortunately the person in charge of the effort lost his life in an aviation accident. Without him as a spark plug the others didn't have the time to complete the effort. It's unfortunate but they all cannot be saved.

Jim

[ALOHADAVE]

Right now I'm trying to at least save some parts off of them for use on other museum aircraft.

[StangStung]

Just as an aside. There was an effort to raise money and move the collection to The Nut Tree. Unfortunately the person in charge of the effort lost his life in an aviation accident. Without him as a spark plug the others didn't have the time to complete the effort. It's unfortunate but they all cannot be saved.

Jim

What's "The Nut Tree"?

[ALOHADAVE]

Nut tree airport, Vacaville California,
Jimmy Doolittle Center

Is now open with just 6 aircraft

[sandiego89]

Too bad, a nice collection. The Travis museum does have some disadvantages due to it's location. It lacks exposure as it quite a ways of the main freeway, not visible from outside, not exaclty a tourist spot for casual drive bys, and has restricted access due to the on base location. Some thing along the freeway like the Nut Tree or at least outside the main gate perhaps would help- and getting a C-5A like Dover did before they went to the Boneyard would have been a good idea. Travis has a long history with the C-5

Sounds like they are going with the aircraft that have a direct Travis link, and the article says the C-124 and C-133 will make the cut which is great, but some others maybe not.

[ALOHADAVE]

Travis Museum has been downgraded to a Heritage Center. It is happening to many other USAF museums. What it mean's is that we are suppose to only have base related aircraft. Others are declared excess.

[Pat Carry]

Looks like the scrapman will be busy for years to come. In 10 years the WW2 stuff will be going to the scrap pile no doubt.

[Pat Carry]

Isnt the same thing happening at Hill AFB Museum?

[ALOHADAVE]

Back in the early 80s when the Travis AFB Museum began, they and and others were grabbing aircraft from all kinds of sources, ie Forest Service, DEA, Customs, Boneyards, China Lake, etc.
Those days are long gone now, The volunteer work force, funding and USAF support from the base has shrunk dramatically. Its very hard to maintain nearly 40 aircraft with only about 8 active part time volunteers.
I know Edwards AFB, Warner Robins AFB, and others are in the same situation.
Barksdale AFB is trying to maintain their collection with only 2 active volunteers.
Active duty people are over tasked due to all the wars and they just do not have the time anymore.
The times they are a changing...
I ask you all to volunteer and support your area aviation museums!
I do with over 1000 volunteer hours yearly

[Warbird Kid]

What needs to happen is a policy change with the USAF so that instead of these aircraft being scrapped, they'd be available on the open market. That way they at least have a fighting chance, and the USAF stands to make a little bit of money. Is that impossible?

Last edited by Warbird Kid on Thu Mar 03, 2016 2:17 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[Nathan]

People in the warbird community need to start writing their local reps. Privately own collections will also be on the cut as the USAFM museum and Air Force is starting to force others to give up their airplane parts.

[ALOHADAVE]

What needs to happen is a policy change with the USAF so that instead of these aircraft being scrapped, they'd be available on the open market. That way they at least have a fighting chance, and the USAF stands to make a little bit of money. Is that impossible?

The way they look at:
selling the cannibalized aircraft on the GSA auction is offering it to the public on the open market.

[dirtysidedown430]

To Nath from Pa where was it said in this thread about PARTS. If you had any dealings with DRMO GSA or the Federal Surplus Property Program they do not take stuff back after it has AWARDED to you unless you break the agreement