This month's Xp-82 update

[flypa38]

So this month's update is delayed from ear their blog says, but the picture they put up is SO worth the wait!
http://xp-82twinmustangproject.blogspot ... s.html?m=1
Their update is something I really look forward to each month but personally all the detail shots don't show a "big picture" of the incredible progress they've made. This picture does.........Mr. Riley and company, I applaud your work and am very excited by every step along the way!

[Pat Carry]

[Jesse C.]

This is so awesome!

[Michel Lemieux]

Simply wow......

Tks for the regular updates.

Looked like it was a close fit through the doors!!!!!

[Zac Yates]

The picture totally makes up for no update! My jaw properly dropped when I saw it outside!

[DH82EH]

Getting very exciting.
WOW!

Andy

[Pogo]

GOOD HEAVENS! Now that pic will serve as a proper update, cat or no cat.

[JohnB]

Another idea, WWII warbirds remaining outside (except large ones in benign climates or those too far gone to fly/sell) should be sold and replaced with fiberglass models, rather like the RAF has done. The money raised should go to the NMUSAF to fund restorations (so maybe it won't take another ten years to finish some in the queue).

In my experience, those outside of well established museums (like Hill, W-R, etc.) are seen as a maintenance liability or potential eyesore by many local commanders and won't be missed my many. We've Sen several base collections curtailed, we'll likely see more.

[sandiego89]

Great work on the 82- neat that she is going to a larger workspace!

Another idea, WWII warbirds remaining outside (except large ones in benign climates or those too far gone to fly/sell) should be sold and replaced with fiberglass models, rather like the RAF has done. The money raised should go to the NMUSAF to fund restorations (so maybe it won't take another ten years to finish some in the queue).

In my experience, those outside of well established museums (like Hill, W-R, etc.) are seen as a maintenance liability or potential eyesore by many local commanders and won't be missed my many. We've Sen several base collections curtailed, we'll likely see more.

Hmm, where to spend the money? The million dollar question- and few museums have a million dollars. As an enthusiast I have very little interest in Fiberglass mockups- perhaps as gate guards only. Personally I would rather see money spent on getting more aircraft under cover- even just a roof like they are doing at Seattle, rather than some of the restorations that in the queue. I won't touch the CT Corsair debate, but we do have some aircraft that are in very harsh climates that have to be rough on the outside displays. The Barksdale B-24 would be a good one (even if it is just a shell) to get inside. I am also surprised by the rarity of some of the outside displays at Lackland, Pensacola and Barksdale, and while perhaps not as rare of collections places like Grissom and Ellsworth etc. have to be brutal climate wise on outside displays. Pima, Edwards, Castle, etc. less so.

[Warbird Kid]

I won't touch the CT Corsair debate, but we do have some aircraft that are in very harsh climates that have to be rough on the outside displays.

Whats their to debate? We removed the Corsair from the pedestal in 2008, and the plan now is to restore the Curtiss hangar at the airport and display her inside so she will be preserved for many years to come. We'd like to acquire a fiberglass Corsair to put on the pedestal instead but that would require $150k and at this time, that doesn't seem likely. If someone were to gift us that money, we'd probably want to put it towards the hangar at this point since that project is still underfunded.

[Zac Yates]

OT, I didn't know the plan was for the CT Corsair to be displayed inside! Great stuff!

[Warbird Kid]

OT, I didn't know the plan was for the CT Corsair to be displayed inside! Great stuff!

Yessir! When originally removed from the pole it was stated that the plane was to return to the pole. But this was more of a working idea to appease one disgruntled older Marine who used to run the now defunct Chateau Thierry detachment of the Marine Corps League here in Connecticut. He believed the plane to be the ownership of his, and the league. After the amount of blood, sweat, tears, time, and money we put into the plane, we were dead set against having her return to the elements. Thankfully the City of Bridgeport, town of Stratford, and US Navy all agreed with us as well. Now we just need the $1.5mil to restore the hangar!