Warbird Information Exchange

There are a lot of museums and restoration shops in So. Cal. Are any warbirds or classics in danger? I read today they evacuated aircraft from Miramar. The Flying Leathernecks Museum is there. What else might be in danger?

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Curtis Block

I've seen too many airplanes destroyed by the term "Static Restoration."

The danger is probably everything getting contaminated by ash. Mirimar is kind of flat since it is a huge airport so it shouldn't be an issue, but I'm certainly no fire expert. There are some hills in the vicinity that would be good candidates for a brush fire though.

I would be more concerned about places like Santa Paula Airport which is nestled in a ravine surrounded by hills. Haven't heard of any fires in that immediate area at this time.

Miramar museum should be okay since it sits towards the city side and not much grass land near by.

The only problem with this kind of fire is the wind driven embers. They can travel miles and fall out of the sky in the middle of a neighborhood. This thing is hop scotching all over the place faster than the fire crews can step on it. The 2003 fire burned within a mile of Miramar, so anything is possible with the monster.

Santa Paula is only a few miles down hwy 126 from the Piru/Fillmore area.

On a warbird note...I hear the Mars is in San Diego, the DC-10 has been dropping all week and the 747 is also in the area.

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Rob

What 747? I understood that was a shelved project? I'd heard that one of the Mars was coming down, but not to where. They prefer to operate of fresh water than salt if they can.

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James K

"Switch on the underwater landing lights"
Emilio Largo, Thunderball.

www.VintageAeroWriter.com

The 747 rumor is something I picked up on another board. I'll get clarification....

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Rob

I'm not sure but I think the Evergreen Super Tanker's system is such that the plane can be converted between hauling cargo and dropping fire retardant so maybe this fire is the chance they were looking for to show what that thing can do. I would love to see the Super Tanker get a day or two "in court".

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Albert Stix Jr.
"Work is the curse of the drinking class"

Just because the FAA says it isn't good, doesn't mean they are right.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director

Back on subject, the Poomacha fire could burn towards Carl Scholl's storage (B-29 project and B-25 parts) if the wind starts blowing hard on shore.

Martin Mars (Hawaii Mars) made a nice landing at Lake Elsinore today. May need to take a road trip.

OK,

First: Miramar is surrounded by open, brushy, dry grass areas. The fire burned pretty close to it. I work on exit up from the base and we all got sent home on Monday. Go ahead, google it.

Second: No 747. They had three C-130's up at Pt. Mugu, but it looks like they may not call them in. The Martin Mars should be here today. If the Mars shows up it will have to scoop water out of the ocean since all our reservoirs are very low for a plane that big. The DC 10 made some runs then went off to another fire.

Third: The last thing on my mind where aircraft that will never fly again and sit next to alot of concrete and a golf course. I was a little busy helping folks evacuate and stuff like that.

Have A Nice Day!