RyanShort1 wrote:
Much as I'd like to see it close to where I live, I doubt SA is the answer. My city's failed several times on this count.
From what I've heard I think that eventually the Lewis collection will be on display - but a think that a major hangup is where on earth to put it. There's room for more hangars at Stinson - but things move REALLY slowly as far as the airport is concerned - just ask me about the runway extension that's been in the works for years... (Don't, please!).
How has the city failed? Who says that the museum would have to be within San Antonio city limits? There is a TON of land in and around both San Antonio, Austin and points in between in the Hill Country. I don't think Stinson is the answer for a potential San Antonio LSFM location. There are other places which are probably better.
RyanShort1 wrote:
Also the fact is that Galveston and LSFM had an apparently good base of volunteers and members in the area - and unless they relocate, any move would be difficult. What are you going to do, get a whole new volunteer, pilot, and mechanic base? Houston and Galveston have had and probably will have $$ and people who are willing to support the warbirds, so that's probably where it'll have to stay.
I reckon after this, they will be working on contingency plans for any future weather events.
Ryan
Just by moving 200 miles to the West, would not necessarily dictate a "whole new volunteer, pilot and mechanic base". I know many of the volunteers for Lone Star live in other parts of Texas, so it wouldn't necessarily be starting from scratch. By virtue of it's location, if it were to move to San Antonio, or nearby, would make it a lot easier commute for the volunteers to get to. Also, with 2 major cities nearby (S.A. and Austin), and the huge military presence, I would think it would be much easier to establish a new volunteer base. I don't think this would be as huge an obstacle to overcome as you believe it would be.
As far as contingency plans, it sounds like Lone Star did as much as they humanly could to mitigate the risk. With supposed "hurricane strength" hangars, surge wall protectors, flying out the airworthy airplanes, what else could they have done? The fact remains, that if the museum stays at it's present location, you CANNOT move hangars, static airplanes and displays. They will always be at risk. I don't believe there's much else they can do in the future, short of changing locations or building a virtual "Fort Knox" style hangar and museum. Again, I ask, is this really worth it, just to stay on the island?
I have a proposal that would benefit two parties. Why not combine Rod Lewis's collection and the Lone Star Collection at one airport somewhere in San Antonio, Austin or the Hill Country? Land is still very cheap on the outskirts of S.A. Why not have Rod Lewis and the LSFM approach the city about building a purpose-built airport to house both aircraft museum's? They could make it a world-class facility, museum and airport to showcase our aviation heritage. Just a thought!