Fighter Factory

Warbirdnerd · **Joined:** Fri Apr 30, 2004 7:34 pm **Posts:** 2923

kalamazookid wrote:

flightsimer wrote:

Stopped by for 20 minutes on Saturday as that's all I had before they closed due to three hours worth of delays from traffic...

But I did take a few pictures and talked with a few people.

They confirmed that the mossy has not been sold. The asking price was believe to be above 7mil though.

So far, four planes have left the collection. The B-17, FW-190, Fi-156, and one of the two SNJ's.

The person I was talking to did say that when they first opened up, they were only covering about 30% of their expenses. But that has since increased to over 80%. Parking the fleet will help them get towards the goal of 100%. After that, he hopes they will begin to fly again.

I am planning on stopping by again this saturday on my way home, hopefully being able to stay longer.

Any word on where the Storch went?

It is coming to Minnesota

lmritger · **Posted:** Wed Jul 17, 2013 9:25 am

flightsimer wrote:

Stopped by for 20 minutes on Saturday as that's all I had before they closed due to three hours worth of delays from traffic...

But I did take a few pictures and talked with a few people.

They confirmed that the mossy has not been sold. The asking price was believe to be above 7mil though.

So far, four planes have left the collection. The B-17, FW-190, Fi-156, and one of the two SNJ's.

The person I was talking to did say that when they first opened up, they were only covering about 30% of their expenses. But that has since increased to over 80%. Parking the fleet will help them get towards the goal of 100%. After that, he hopes they will begin to fly again.

I am planning on stopping by again this saturday on my way home, hopefully being able to stay longer.

Well, not happy to see the Storch go, but again, if it serves the greater good and helps keep the Museum moving forward, then away it goes. Thanks for passing along the bit about covering expenses, that's actually pretty heartening (assuming it's correct)... every time I've been there, it seems like there's a decent amount of folks there. And they're constantly hosting different events (private and otherwise) so facility rental fees will obviously help as well.

Thanks for the update, and speaking as a local resident, sorry about the traffic- it su(ks everywhere around here.

Lynn

SaxMan · **Posted:** Wed Jul 17, 2013 12:03 pm

Which SNJ? Was it the SNJ-2 that left?

flightsimer · **Posted:** Wed Jul 17, 2013 5:52 pm

SaxMan wrote:

Which SNJ? Was it the SNJ-2 that left?

I am not for sure what the story behind the second one was or what it even looked like, but I know for sure that it was not the one painted up in blue that flew in Alaska during WWII that was located in the navy hangar. All I have is my iPad, so I won't be able to post any pictures until Sunday night or Monday at the earliest.

Steve Nelson · **Posted:** Wed Jul 17, 2013 7:57 pm

This is the SNJ-2 that was at the museum when I visited in 2008. The aforementioned blue SNJ was there as well.

SN

SaxMan · **Posted:** Wed Jul 17, 2013 9:11 pm

Here's a shot with the nose of the -2 and the aforementioned blue -4, as well as the N3N, TBM, DH89, PBY, FG-1 and T-28. You can just barely see their T-34 behind the PBY. These were shot back in late March. I like SNJs in general, but the -2 just seems really neat. It has a more art deco than the later models with its curved tail.

DSC_0168 by onyxsax, on Flickr

mh53eflyguy · **Joined:** Thu Dec 10, 2009 3:30 pm **Posts:** 98

Warbirdnerd wrote:

kalamazookid wrote:

flightsimer wrote:

Stopped by for 20 minutes on Saturday as that's all I had before they closed due to three hours worth of delays from traffic...

But I did take a few pictures and talked with a few people.

They confirmed that the mossy has not been sold. The asking price was believe to be above 7mil though.

So far, four planes have left the collection. The B-17, FW-190, Fi-156, and one of the two SNJ's.

The person I was talking to did say that when they first opened up, they were only covering about 30% of their expenses. But that has since increased to over 80%. Parking the fleet will help them get towards the goal of 100%. After that, he hopes they will begin to fly again.

I am planning on stopping by again this saturday on my way home, hopefully being able to stay longer.

Any word on where the Storch went?

It is coming to Minnesota

Any chance it was the GEICO Skytypers, looking to complete their fleet again?

flightsimer · **Posted:** Wed Jul 17, 2013 10:42 pm

Steve Nelson wrote:

This is the SNJ-2 that was at the museum when I visited in 2008. The aforementioned blue SNJ was there as well.

SN

That must be the one they sold then

flightsimer · **Posted:** Sat Jul 20, 2013 1:03 pm

Very bad news

I'm currently in the museum and was just told that the Hawker Fury and the Dragon Rapide has just been sold since last weekend.

Anthony Svihlik · **Posted:** Sat Jul 20, 2013 1:48 pm

flightsimer wrote:

Very bad news

I'm currently in the museum and was just told that the Hawker Fury and the Dragon Rapide has just been sold since last weekend.

I was fortunate to see the Dragon Rapide fly at last month's Flying Proms. What a great experience to see that aircraft (among others) operate from the strip at dusk. Here is my video of the Dragon Rapide flight:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... PuCBgpGPHw

watching it in high-definition provides the best quality, so be sure to select the 1080p HD Video Playback Quality option, turn up the volume and enjoy!

Anthony

Warbird Kid · **Posted:** Sat Jul 20, 2013 7:25 pm

VWoC?

lmritger · **Posted:** Sat Jul 20, 2013 9:04 pm

They never flew the Fury (which was a shame) but I'm a bit shocked they parted with the Rapide... according to all and sundry, that is Mr. Yagen's absolute favorite.

Sigh.

Lynn

flightsimer · **Posted:** Sun Jul 21, 2013 12:36 am

lmritger wrote:

They never flew the Fury (which was a shame) but I'm a bit shocked they parted with the Rapide... according to all and sundry, that is Mr. Yagen's absolute favorite.

Sigh.

Lynn

Yup, the guy who I talked to, who recognized me from last weekend said the same for the Rapide. He said with that going, he is now beginning to become worried.

The Rapide, White 11 (FW190), the SNJ and Jerry's Aerostar are all in th FF hangar along with what appeared to be a stearman or N3N (on wheels).

Hopefully will be able to go through pictures tomorrow and post them maybe Monday Night. Finally just got home after a 16 hour trip including 3hrs between the museum and Kill Devils Hill.

JFS61 · **Joined:** Mon Apr 30, 2012 12:44 pm **Posts:** 305

As they say, everything is for sale at the right price, but in the case of the Fighter Factory, I imagine moreso now.

Ken · **Posted:** Sun Jul 21, 2013 7:22 am

Mike wrote:

Ken wrote:

What about the AD-4 Skyraider?

http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry ... rtxt=23827

"Training Services Inc" issued in 2000; was asking about its current status as stay/sale/sold.

Ken

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