Just thought some folks (especially in the DFW area) might be interested in the status of the OBA/FACM Veteran's Memorial Air Park at Meacham Field. I've posted a status board at
http://www.OV-10Bronco.net/ which will be updated regularly. Our A-4C is arriving from Pensacola tomorrow, and the TF-102A "Deuce" (we just can't bring ourselves to call it a "Tub") will be retrieved at the end of July. The RF-8G and F-105 will also be brought home fairly soon. We also need help to get the word out to the F-111 and A-7 communities to pitch in to help bring them home too before they're scrapped.
I'm sure that many of you will remember our effort not too long ago to make a last-ditch push to save the longest-serving F-14D "Christine" in the inventory from the scrappers, after several other museums rejected her. With the help of many, including several WIXers, we were able to bring her to Ft. Worth (delivered in a C-5 no less!) and ensure that she wasn't going to be ignominiously turned into beer cans. With continued support by warbird fans, we have continued to work hard to find and save other historic aircraft so that they may continue to inspire, educate, and commemorate into the distant future. I know that many WIXers share this ideal and perhaps some of you will be able to help us to save a few planes.
As always, we are attempting an "Air Force" size job with a "Marine Corps" budget. We have cultivated good working relationships with many groups that have helped us to find and gain access to these aircraft, and we've learned where we can do things ourselves to keep the recovery costs as low as possible. Still, transporting and properly restoring military aircraft, even non-flyers, is not cheap (even though the cost to society of NOT doing so is far higher!) So, your financial help in our efforts is most needed and welcomed.
Please consider a donation to the aircraft project fo your choice, or a general donation to the Memorial Air Park effort. If you're short on funds, there's just as much value in elbow grease or even just researching the airframes or in helping to get the word out to those with a specific interest in these airplanes (type or squadron associations, etc.) Or maybe there's some other skill that can help. Our group is open to all and the group is what the members make it. We hope you will think about participating in this grand adventure with us!
Sincerely,
Mike Whaley
(Webmaster, OV-10 Bronco Association)
http://ww.OV-10Bronco.net/
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