Warbird Information Exchange

And we do!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Castle-Air-Museum/103760729663405

http://www.castleairmuseum.org/

http://www.castleairmuseum.org/douglasvc9c

There are tons of video / pics at all those links plus many more.

We publicize the ever loving ca-ca out of it! We run specials, events, etc. Ever build a hangar? Even at 40-50 tours per weekend, it's just a small dent at a time. Realities are what realities are. We all wish there were better ways, and are constantly looking for them. One of the things that puzzles me is the "us vs. them" attitude I see / hear often. We volunteer at museums because we love warbirds. Visitors come see them because they love warbirds. I go to other museums because I love warbirds. Sometimes the outright animosity of the "warbird community" (both online and off) saddens me. So many gripes. So many complaints. So many whiners. So few doers. Those of us who "do" are often the subject of tremendous criticism - often verbally berated (I could give you tons of stories) Why is that I wonder. We're all here to make a difference, yet sometimes "underappreciated" doesn't go far enough. "Despised" would be more apropos.

Often we will be out on the grounds working on something or other. When a guest passes by, we always stop what we are doing, thank them for their visit, and offer any assistance we can. After all, without visitors we couldn't do what we love to do! 80% of the time the feedback is positive. Too often though, "The (fill in the aircraft here) is (insert whine here)." usually these are vast mountain ranges of complaints over a tiny molehill of a perceived issue. Ladies and Gentleman, we try our best, but in the end we are a small group of volunteers. I encourage ANY of you who have these gripes to go to your closest museum and volunteer. Instead of complaining, start helping!

/end rant.

Thanks, I feel better

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In California? Stop by and visit us!
Castle Air Museum

"I beg to disagree sir" Doc Holiday. No pics inside dont see that working but it is there airplane.

One thing I can say about this airplane. Despite it only being a DC-9, it's good to be the president. Hell, the press seats are considered, "above first class". The president's lounge is plush as plush can be.

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In California? Stop by and visit us!
Castle Air Museum

In this case the policy at Castle will have completely the opposite of the desired effect the next time I visit. Asking more money to tour the VC-9 with a 'no pictures policy' in place will result in me replying with a polite 'no thanks'

And that would be your prerogative, and we would certainly accept that without pressure or question. It is only open on weekends, and is separate from the main museum. As I said, we have to hangar it or give it back. Hangars cost money and we have no sugar daddy waiting in the wings. If you have a better way to raise the funds, I would be very happy to pass along your ideas.

As a side, while I did a bunch of work on this plane to prep it, I had never gone on a tour of it with a docent. I have heard, without exception, that the tour was absolutely worth the added charge. So I tagged along on a tour with a docent! I must say I was very impressed. Our volunteer docents for this aircraft are passionate, knowledgeable and informative. There was no rush; they took lots of time, and gave a great tour with lots and lots of first hand tidbits and stories. I enjoyed it very much. They regularly get added tips (which go straight to the museum!) so those who do pay for it must feel like they've gotten their money's worth.

That being said, we would love to have you visit any time. There are 61 others out there that cost only the price of admission

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In California? Stop by and visit us!
Castle Air Museum

Tough to do from several hundred miles away. All the museums where I live allow all the photos you wanna take (and nobody's ever said anything about tripods at all). You know, little, unheard of places that never get many visitors. Like the museum of flight in Seattle...

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Life member, 91st BG Memorial Association
Owner, 1944 Willys MB #366014
Former REMF (US Army, O3)

We have volunteers that come from further. I know, it's easier to work from a keyboard. Maybe the Museum of Flight could use your expertise?

Must've missed the rest of my earlier post:-

I will further add the word "interior". You can take all the pictures of the outside of the VC-9, and every last one of the over 60 aircraft we have on display, from any angle you wish, 360 degrees, with a tripod, bipod, monopod, flash, cell phone, polaroid, sketch book, crayon, whatever. And, btw, the VC-9 is accessible from the parking lot, where there is absolutely no admission, or parking fee, required. You can walk right up to the dang thing and touch it FOR FREE!

O.K., my frustration showing yet? EDIT - Based on my little outburst, apparently so. My apologies.

_________________
In California? Stop by and visit us!
Castle Air Museum

As the originator of this thread I must give Spectre_I a tip of the hat for his reasoned responses to the many inputs he got on the issue of "No Photography Allowed."

I've been to that Museum and it's a great collection, getting no financial support from deep-pocket benefactors or the USAF. Based on his explanation I now have a far better understanding of why an organization makes that call on a specific a/c or two and while I might not like it I can live with it when you have 60+ other a/c to capture in as many ways as you can.

Props to all the museum volunteers who donate endless hours keeping our aviation history sheltered, maintained and "alive" for future generations.

Greg

The Museum of Flight is doing just fine. There's nothing they do which seems to irritate the public when they're trying to get photos. I used that example as an illustration of a very large and strong museum which doesn't restrict photography efforts.
It's also easier to counter questions or comments that you don't like by demanding the person come down and work there instead of taking the criticism as perhaps something that could be acted upon.

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Life member, 91st BG Memorial Association
Owner, 1944 Willys MB #366014
Former REMF (US Army, O3)

Thanks for reading and understanding!

_________________
In California? Stop by and visit us!
Castle Air Museum

Edit - Ya this post contributed zilch to this thread. Sorry fellers.

Thanks!

_________________
In California? Stop by and visit us!
Castle Air Museum

With all due respect, your second point is a little contradictory to your first point. If you are posting pictures on social media, then why would anyone bother coming to see them in person? My humble opinion is that that you are likely to gain more interest with widely distributed information than trying to limit pictures. Great, you have a social media site and a website. If someone happens come across that then great you made a connection. In addition to that you could have visitors posting their own home grown pictures, on their own timelines, being shared with their group of friends who would otherwise never take it upon themselves to visit the museum Facebook page or website.

In the case of museums that have "publicly" owned artifacts on exhibit, I find it unethical to disallow me to take a picture of the artifact. I can understand asking me to contribute a fee to enter the museum to pay for the facilities and to maintain the artifacts, but once I'm in the door, I should be able to take pictures of publicly owned artifacts as long as I take reasonable precautions not to be a burden on other guests, am not a real safety hazard, and won't affect the condition of the artifacts.

That's a great attitude. It's nice that you are so confident in your strategy and flush with cash carrying visitors that you can laugh in the face of criticism. Some look at criticism as a means for continual improvement, but don't fall for it. You don't need money from him or any of the other selfie taking whiners.

Edit - And this post even less. No worries, my little conniption has been forever immortalized in quotes from others.

_________________
In California? Stop by and visit us!
Castle Air Museum

_________________
In California? Stop by and visit us!
Castle Air Museum