Paul Allen's collection sold - new owner acknowledged now.

[marine air]

The new owner could just keep them in storage containers as Mr. Weeks has done with his Lancaster, P-47D, Spitfire, etc. for forty years. Bentonville is closer and more accessible to more of the U.S. population. Being the headquarters of Wal-Mart, I bet he can build a large metal commercial building with high ceilings and concrete floors cheaper than anyone else. Imagine parking at the airport in what feels like a Wal-Mart parking lot only to step inside and see Corsairs, Focke Wolfs and P-51's! I bet the apparel and toy sections would be great, as well.
It would be fantastic if he finished some of the projects like the Stuka, FW-189, and B-17E. Maybe sell or contract the size of the collection. It would be nice to see the Mig-29 sold off. I think Mr. Allen would have been very disappointed of his sister's action to dismantle the collection.

[JohnB]

I think Mr. Allen would have been very disappointed of his sister's action to dismantle the collection.

To say nothing about what has happened To the Seahawks!

There seems to be a lot of hostility towards the alleged new owner.
Probably a remnant of the "Blame Wal-Mart for killing retail" from a dozen years ago...before Amazon (and to be fair other online stores) really killed local retail.
You don't hear folks and the media complain about that.
After all, the owner of Amazon owns the Washington Post.

Last edited by JohnB on Fri Apr 22, 2022 9:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Mike]

That sounds like a heck of an estate sale. I can't wait for the auction!

Kermit’s will be better

[Mike]

It would be nice to see the Mig-29 sold off.

The MiG was sold to Jared Isaacman (ex-Black Diamond Jet Team, Draken International) a couple of years back.

[Mark Allen M]

There seems to be a lot of hostility towards the alleged new owner.
Probably a remnant of the "Blame Wal-Mart for killing retail" from a dozen years ago...before Amazon really killed local retail.
You don't hear folks and the media complain about that.
After all, the owner of Amazon owns the Washington Post.

What hostility?!!! a bit of concern perhaps. Can't blame most of the folks here. A young wealthy guy purchases a large collection of "historic artifacts" (not just warbirds) with no known history of being interested in rare historic artifacts. And no! not talking interest in warbirds, it's evident he does indeed have that type of interest, but many of the FHC aircraft I view as historic artifacts more so than warbirds. Several of those aircraft really shouldn't be flown IMO.

Just so not to cause any arguments, I'm sure this fellow will do the right things and responsible things. I hope he keeps the collection together and completes the outstanding projects. I hope he eventually opens a fine museum and allows folks to visit.

The concerns I have stem from his lack of known experience with such artifacts of this type and scale. That doesn't mean I hostility towards the guy. I truly wish him the very best.

The rest of your post perhaps someone elsewhere will have an interest.

[Mark Allen M]

I think Mr. Allen would have been very disappointed of his sister's action to dismantle the collection.

Sadly I would think that to be an understatement.

[JohnB]

What hostility?!!! a bit of concern perhaps. Can't blame most of the folks here. A young wealthy guy purchases a large collection of "historic artifacts" (not just warbirds) with no known history of being interested in rare historic artifacts.

Just reading between the lines and looking at the posted photos of company trucks with humorous captions, it's pretty obvious that there is a bit more mistrust or concern given his last name than there would be if he were named Smith or Jones. Anyone paying attention knows his family business has been a lightning rod for criticism for the last couple decades.

As you note, he does have warbirds, presumably worth a few million dollars. Other members of his family own rare race cars which are exercised at historic race events.

If that doesn't qualify him as having an interest in "historic artifacts" I don't know what would.

Yes, some of the rarer types transcend the "warbird" market, but by your logic, no one could buy a original copy of the Constitution (which recently sold for more than $40 million) unless he had an original copy of the Declaration of Independence.
A guy has to start a collection somewhere.
This guy has the resources to start at the top.
Don't fault (or blame) him for that.

If anything, fault the Allen organization which seems to have made everything one lot, meaning the person with the biggest checkbook wins.

As previously I said, the aircraft and vehicles aren't likely to be abused and as another poster points out, they will likely won't end up in a storage container like some aircraft in another well regarded collection.
To that I would add they likely won't be locked away awaiting restoration for decades, like some of the equally rare examples held by the Smithsonian.

Finally, perhaps the new owner won't hide items away (has anyone seen the one of a kind B-17E lately) like the previous owner.

Also, I would hope people would hold criticism/cynicism/hostility until they hear his plans.
Too much to ask?
Probably.

Last edited by JohnB on Fri Apr 22, 2022 9:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Mark Allen M]

Your all other the place with whatever it is you assume. Warbirds aren’t artifacts. The majority of them are new builds with very little, if any, originality that would categorize them as artifacts.

There’s also no blaming going on that I can see. There’s the usual amount of speculation but that’s typically and quite frankly expected. No big deal.

If you’re reading hostility your reading it alone.

[JohnB]

Your all other the place with whatever it is you assume. Warbirds aren’t artifacts. The majority of them are new builds with very little, if any, originality that would categorize them as artifacts.

There’s also no blaming going on that I can see. There’s the usual amount of speculation but that’s typically and quite frankly expected. No big deal.

If you’re reading hostility your reading it alone.

An online dictionary gives the definition of artifact as:
"an object made by a human being, typically an item of cultural or historical interest".
Emphasis added
The definition not seem dependant on an arbitrary figure of originality.

(As an example, the White House is still a historic place, despite being completely gutted during the rebuild during Truman's term).

This site is dedicated to warbirds...seems like some interest to me.
Then there are books, models, numerous collections...a lot of rich guys spending lots of money. Seems some interest there.

I'm not going to tell someone that the Spitfire he just paid millions for us a glorified PA-28 (a run of the mill general aviation aircraft).

You seem pretty defensive about the possibility any hostility out there.

Your comment attacking my polite and reasonable post...to quote you...
"Your (sic) all other the place with whatever it is you assume" seems to indicate you value only your opinion.


You also question his legitimacy in buying the collection since you state (or asume): "A young wealthy guy purchases a large collection of "historic artifacts" (not just warbirds) with no known history of being interested in rare historic artifacts. "
Do you know he doesn't have any other objects?
His family name seems to work against him here since if he wasn't from a well known family, one probably wouldn't or couldn't make the statement you made.

All I'm saying there seems to have been a bit of a rush to judgment...based on nothing more than rumors.
And given his family's notoriety, that certainly could be a factor.
Pretty simple.

[Mark Allen M]

Like I stated … your all over the place. You think too much and not enough at the same time.

I wish all the best for the new owner and the artifacts and warbirds. If a museum opens some day I’ll have to go pay a visit like I used to in Washington state.

Thx Paul Allen & thx Wal-Mart.

[Firebird]

I think Mr. Allen would have been very disappointed of his sister's action to dismantle the collection.

Were they estranged, or not close, because, I can't believe you wouldn't be aware of people's feelings towards things like that, and if she had zero interest in the subject, surely that would have been clear to him in his lifetime, and would therefore have made suitable provision for the collection once he was gone, so clearly he never put enough protection into the plans for once he was gone, as clearly she had total control over everything and to be able to do what ever she wanted rather than what he wanted.

[Firebird]

There seems to be a lot of hostility towards the alleged new owner.
Probably a remnant of the "Blame Wal-Mart for killing retail" from a dozen years ago...before Amazon really killed local retail.
You don't hear folks and the media complain about that.
After all, the owner of Amazon owns the Washington Post.

What hostility?!!! a bit of concern perhaps. Can't blame most of the folks here. A young wealthy guy purchases a large collection of "historic artifacts" (not just warbirds) with no known history of being interested in rare historic artifacts. And no! not talking interest in warbirds, it's evident he does indeed have that type of interest, but many of the FHC aircraft I view as historic artifacts more so than warbirds. Several of those aircraft really shouldn't be flown IMO.

I'm still convinced he is the new owner.....not as a single owner, I don't think he could afford to be, not without significant backing from his Dad who is the real money in the family (and is a pilot as well)
Steuart Walton is only worth about $300m according to Forbes and doesn't even make the Forbes rich list unlike about 5 or 6 other members of the Walton family, including father Jim, who is worth about $60bn and is one of the richest individuals in the world.

So, while Steuart Walton is the name being branded about because of his warbird ownership, I doubt it's him personally buying the collection, especially if the rumour's price was a 9 figure one....probably more likely he's just the front for the deal?

[Yak 11 Fan]

A young wealthy guy purchases a large collection of "historic artifacts" (not just warbirds) with no known history of being interested in rare historic artifacts. And no! not talking interest in warbirds, it's evident he does indeed have that type of interest, but many of the FHC aircraft I view as historic artifacts more so than warbirds.

Out of interest did Paul Allen have a history of being interested in rare artifacts before his people toured the world snapping up all sorts of aircraft and hiding them behind a ton of non disclosure agreements before setting up the museum?

I only ask as I don't know that part of his background.

[Mark Allen M]

I’d say Paul Allen did indeed have an interest in WWII aviation. I’d also suggest Mr. Allen viewed his collection more so as artifacts and museum pieces that just so happen to be airworthy and operable. I don’t think he necessarily cared more that they flew. He cared that they were capable of flight of course.

He had a vast collection and a vast interest in WWII technology IMO.

Just my opinion.

[RobertWL]

I've see a lot of east & west coasters who are upset that the
collection would go to such a place as Arkansas.. I get being
upset at the prospect of losing such a wonderful collection to
your area.. But c'mon! The East & West Coasts have the best
aviation museums, vintage airshows and more. We're kind of
hard pressed for anything good in our neck of the woods.
I hope this means that maybe, just maybe I'll be able to catch
a glimpse of some of these wonders either at their new home or
if we're ever blessed enough to have another air show at Little Rock.

But I do wonder.. Is there a fairly complete list of what made up the FHC at
its height?