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This thread has had some serious leg power.... Thanks to All who have contributed. I am just going to clarify and summarize a few points...I have had a few phone calls and some emails from some old time CAF'ers and another who is on the General Staff.
1.) Rob, I will stand behind what I stated about Coke and Fina... One of the gentlemen that I spoke to was in the meetings with Fina... the name change became especially poignant when members of the Isreali Board of Directors of Fina/Alon attended Airsho'.
2.) The General Staff did not leave the old name Confederate on the ballot for a reason....... The NAME WAS GOING TO CHANGE....... This was not a Bob Rice decision or a PC decision..... The name change was made to KEEP and ATTRACT new corporate sponsorship... nothing more, nothing less........
3.) Also, your comment about Lloyd..... bet you didn't know this cause I sure didn't...... In the late 70's Lloyd, being somewhat of a visionary, discussed at a General Staff Meeting (it is logged in the meeting minutes), that the name might have to be changed to be able to take the CAF to the rest of the country...... almost 20 years BEFORE it really happened.
4.) NASCAR! Glad that you mentioned them... remember when they were mainly a regional (South) racing entity..... Only a few drivers had sponsors and NASCAR itself had NO national sponsors... but Mr Bill France formulated a plan, finally signed the first national sponsor, then another, then another........ follow the trail??????? John Lage, is our first National Marketing Director....... in a sense he is using his skills from the movie industry and adapting part of the NASCAR business model for use by the CAF. The removal of the old name is part of the business model...... NOT PC! ONE NAME, UNIFIED! Yes, the name Confederate IS our History, our birth, but it was realized that is has become a hindrance to our continued existance... It had to change to ENABLE the mission to continue! Personally, I liked the name "The Ghost Squadron", but I don't care if its named Acme Flying from Egypt.
5.) The P-82 issue should clarify in the next 1-2 weeks, if not in days......We are all waiting, and I think the result has the possiblity to be much different than you think....
6.) Regarding on you keeping them flying...... I have no doubt that findin', fixin', flyin' is what you have and will be doing.....
7.) Obergrafeter, now keep that jaundiced eye out......but remember, if it gets too yellow, have your liver enzymes checked (AST, ALT)........ really, liked your other post on the family history thing.....
8.) Lastly on the 109..... my initial thoughts were correct.... it was a safety/insurance issue. In a nutshell, is it worth the risk of grounding the entire fleet, just to be able to fly this one airplane? I think it is a significant a/c, some do, some don't.... but lets face it....... the airplane had a horrible service record and its civilian record is worse, DB or Merlin powered, it does not matter. I think its a cool airplane, but if the CAF has the opportunity to trade the airplane for another that has a much better service/safety record and can be an everyday flyer..... go for it! There have already been some initial contacts concerning the airplane.....
9.) Yes, a couple of the big guys (general staffers) have been watching the posts on this topic, but I was not down for an eight count........
10.) I'm done.... Brandon (got it right this time!), Brad, Richard, Steve, Lynn, Dan, Rick, Julian, Dave, Chris, Jim, Vlado, Tom, Jase, Ryan, Rob, and Obergrafeter. This has been interesting..... Guys, if you are not a member of the CAF, think about joining.... If you are a member, or are a member with another group... Fantastic...... Keep up the good work,
Fly Safe, Fly Often..... Alan Brooks
One last edit.... Thanks to Scott, who probably could have pulled the plug on this thead, but did not......
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