Warbird Information Exchange

I have read in a couple of recent threads here on the WIX about the rebirth of the CAF's P-82. Can someone fill me in on the current plans? Thanks

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

Wasn't Tom Cruise going to sponsor the restoration or something? Could be wrong?

I really wish someone would answer this question. I asked a similar question several months ago and got the same replies about Tom Cruise and that if I searched the archives I would find the answer. Well, I searched and there was no answer.
I guess my questions are, why the secrecy? If I wanted to donate money (that SHOULD get someone's attention) and wanted it to go specifically to that aircraft, would that then allow me to be given the magic decoder ring so I could get an answer?
I am sorry to be sarcastic, but a magnificant aircraft, that many, many people would like to see fly, may or may not be in the process of restoration. Why can't someone give a simple answer here on this great forum?
I have two suggestions for answers:
#1 The P-82 is being restored at such and such a place, to be done at approximately such and such a time.
Or, #2 It is none of anyone's *#@* business and don't ask this question again!
Seems pretty simple to me.

You may not be getting answers simply because there are none. Last I heard their was still an unresolved ownership debate concerning the P-82. Until that is settled I doubt you, or Tom Cruise, would want to spend any money on the aircraft.

Well, the Cruise sponsorship has been disclosed publicly by the CAF on one of its wing web pages, albeit in small type:

http://www.dfwwing.com/R4DMidland_Oct22_05.html

(near the bottom)

As for projected dates of restoration completion, that is asking a lot from any restorer, especially of such a massive, parts-unavailable project, not to mention the ownership dispute. Nobody really knows!

August

If you look in the background of some of the pictures that Gary has posted in his Lil' thread you can see the P-82.

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Share your story: Rutgers Oral History Archive http://oralhistory.rutgers.edu/

I have heard the discussions at the CAF meetings and due to the unfortunate situation with the Federal Government, it is understandable that there has been little information provided by the CAF in regards to the P-82. As unique and popular as this aircraft is, a press release will undoubtedly be issued when appropriate.

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Taylor Stevenson

So in blunt terms.......The AF wants it back

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Don't touch my junk!!

OK...DUH
I don't understand the problem about ownership of the P-82. If all the transactions that brought it from it's origin to present time are legal, why wouldn't CAF own it?
If it's ownership trail can be traced back to an illegal transaction then, it would seem to me, that would be the determining factor as to whether CAF is the legal owner or not.
Or is that an oversimplification?

Doesn't the USAF have bigger fish to fry. I mean, if the USAF gets it back, what are they going to do with it? Fly it? NO...it's gonna' sit in a hangar at WPAFB and wither away.
Let someone have it who's going to show it (read FLYf) as it should be shown.

Mudge the slightly incensed

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Land of the free because of the brave

Did the CAF actually ever hold title to the aircraft or did the AF simply give it to them on long term loan? The story I heard through the rumor mill ( and I place my trust in it as such) is that when it was recently the subject of a trade to another owner the AF stepped in and said the CAF had defaulted on the terms of the original deal so they were going to take it back. Now that the deal is off are they still going to take it back

Now that I have moved from the great nation of Texas where things are pretty cut and dry and you can get stuff done on a handshake to the capital of our great country and have learned that in our government system absolutely nothing is cut and dry and everything takes 27 peoples approval I can understand how the issue of ownership of this great aircraft is as clear as swamp water.

Anyone have any better info

Steve S
"We are the people our parents warned us about"

Chad is pretty much right on the money. The ownership is still very much in dispute....... so everything is on hold concerning the restoration, etc.... However, a great deal of work had already been completed at Breckenridge under Nelson Ezell. The main gear damage had been repaired, the center section hydraulics replumbed and the main gear test swung. From what I saw, there was very little corrosion evident.... it fact the airplane looked darn good for being down in Harlingen for so many years.... the airplane should be a straight forward restoration. The biggest hurdle has/is, trying to source the left hand rotation Aero Products propellor. It is like they never existed. So far, the ones you see, thats it, "no mas". I have not heard of anyone that even claims to have a set of left hand rotation blades......... but, there are a few right hand rotation props available..... Ham Standard had previously stated they could make new blades for the airplane... don't know if that offer still stands... If the CAF retains ownership, TC will make sure the Twin 'Stang is well cared for...... Alan

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Just call me Al.

The prop blades you see in the photos are fakes. The P-82 Squadron had them made to make the aircraft a little more photo worthy for airshow fundraising. The Squadron had also located and purchased replacement landing gear a short time before the aircraft was secretly traded away.
When the CAF aquired the P-82 from the USAF when it was a gate guard at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, the agreement was something along the lines of if the CAF ever wanted to get rid of the P-82, it was to go back to USAF inventory.
The last rumor I heard was the if the courts decide that the USAF owns the aircraft, they may still let the CAF display it under the condition that it never flies. If the courts decide that the CAF owns it, then the CAF will return it to the mystery man the traded it away to.

If the courts decide in favor of the CAF, I don't have a picture of the USAF giving it up that easily. After all, they have all these lawyers on the payroll and can keep appealing to the next higher court until they win or the airplane rots away. We're talking YEARS in court battles here. If the CAF wants to pursue it that far, of course. I have my doubts that CAF would want to keep dumping lawyer fees into it, though, they've probably got a few other things to do with their $$$.

Mudge the cynic

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Land of the free because of the brave

Miscue, much of that information is incorrect... By using words like "secretly" you seem to be taking sides... since this issue is still in litigation, I believe it would be best to wait and see what happens instead of stirring things up...

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Taylor Stevenson

What part of it do you believe is incorrect?
I say "secretly" because the Squadron had no information that the aircraft was being traded.
And no, I am not taking sides, just simply stating facts.
"Lest We Forget"
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