Warbird Information Exchange

The Ventura Memorial Flight Association has been working over 15 years to put RCAF Ventura 2195 back in the air.

In additon to the restoration work the VMFA have created what is likely the most complete archives of this type of aircraft anywhere and assisted many other groups and museums with information, pictures and other assitance.

The aircraft was recovered from the Northwest Territories in 1987 by helicopter and work has continued since.

Most components are on hand, wings close to completion and much other major work done.

This is not a patch job, every part has been researched and restored correctly to TIGHAR standards.

For more information check out http://www.rcafventura.ca/pages/contact.htm

I just made a donation to the project, if you can help please do.

I want to see this bird fly again.

Tom H

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Alberta Aviation Museum
Edmonton Aviation Heritage Society

I think you just turned a lot of people off right there.

You've been listening to Paul too much again, Tom. That statement did turn me off, and I was one of the guys that helped recover it (in 1988, btw).

TIGHAR's commenting on Fossett and will be sending a expedition soon

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Don't touch my junk!!

First things first...

Dan, don't go picking on me till I get a ride in that Chinese thing of yers!

On a more real note...

Clue me in on this TIGHAR problem.

Their standards for documentation and accuracy are considered by most museums I deal with to be the standard. While they do not collect or restore themselves they have set lofty goals to insure accuracy.

So whats the story...we don't accept restoring aircraft accurately with everything documented? Or is there a part of their story I am missing?

As far as the search for Amiela etc........yeah whatever go burn some more cash......but clue me in guys.

Tom H

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Alberta Aviation Museum
Edmonton Aviation Heritage Society

it's the Amelia thing. Everytime someone finds a button on some distant shore, and it has a small scratch on it, they claim to be well on the trail of AE. Wastes a lot of money that could otherwise be spent making old planes pretty again. They attempt to stir up interest in her when they should be stirring up interest in things like Pappy Boyington (just kidding Jack).

Basically they're the loud drunk in the motel room next door who's screwing a hooker and watching jeopardy all night long.

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"I knew the jig was up when I saw the P-51D-20-NA Mustang blue-nosed bastards from Bodney, and by the way the blue was more of a royal blue than an indigo and the inner landing gear interiors were NOT green, over Berlin."

I take offense to that!!! Dont compare me to TIGHAR.

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Live to fly, Fly to live.....

Hold on guys! I'm on the road and just got wind of this discussion.
What Tom is referring to is the generation of our restoration policy. We had to sit down and find definitions that we could work from.
I admit that the TIGHAR definitions did enter the discussion, just as did the Smithstonian's, the National Aviation Museum's, the National Naval Aviation Museum's as well as many other world renown sites. We also researched individual warbird restorers WORLDWIDE to understand their standards.
Keep in mind our policy is a blend of the best of these and that it is a 'fluid' document, subject to change if we find a better definition. A working document is it's best decription. It took us a long time to generate it as we take this restoration VERY seriously.
I will say I do not agree with TIGHAR's thinking on aircraft restoration. We do however firmly believe that the aircraft should, as closely as is humanly possible, be restored as it was in 1943 keeping in mind current safety standards and advancements for airworthy aircraft.
To that end I like to believe our policy is a nice blend of all that is best in our warbird restoration world.
No offence Tom, but TIGHAR is not our standard.

Tony Jarvis
President, Ventura Memorial Flight Association