hahnej wrote:
I get tired of the 'Holier/busier than thou' attitude, when all people are doing is asking questions
Hahnej, when put like this are they questions or demands? You're in no position to make demands. These private collections are shared in the public eye by generous individuals. I feel it's their perogative to choose how to communicate.
I readily applaud those who've taken the time to share their work via this and other forums. It's a wonderful thing to do, but it's down to individual choice and it's not something you can demand. Gary Austin's done a fantastic job of documenting Diamond Lil's restoration, in time perhaps others in the same position will choose to do the same but it'll be their choice, not because it's expected of them.
Some organisations prefer to manage the information that's published about their dealing and work through a central source and that's entirely their choice too. Don't forget that all of this takes time away from the core activity of restoring, maintaining and operating warbirds and your priorities may not match other peoples'. I'm not defining what's right or wrong here, simply asking you to appreciate the differences and the right to those differences. Not everyone working in warbird operations is free to be to as open as they'd like to be.
TFC operates in a public hangar and photographs are regularly posted from peoples' visits to supplement the information on the TFC website (Which is updated pretty regularly). Naturally you'll find more of these photos on UK sites (Just as I come here for information about US developments) but myself and others post shots here when something noteworthy happens.
The episode last year over the Beaufighter is a classic example of what happens when individuals who've been entrusted with information feel they have to blab it out to everyone to get themselves some attention. At the time, there were staff and volunteers who hadn't been updated about the plans so it was pretty inconsiderate and irresponsible to raise a fury of speculation (The individual knew the score at the time).
Over recent years communication has opened up and a great deal more information now circulates thanks to the web and thanks to the willing spirit of those involved in these organisations. I'd hate things to return to the days of secrecy as a consequence of a small number of individuals who felt that they had a right to know everything they wanted. To some extent I think we should accept that information flows according to the terms set by the owners/operators - without their goodwill our hobby would be a great deal less interesting.
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