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