Warbird Information Exchange

I just read the thread about the F-14 tomcat debate. Myself I have a very different view on aircraft flying anytime soon. Until I see a Stuka, Me110, Hawker Typhoon, Beaufighter, Val, Kate fly, I could care less about an F-14 or any other high profile relatively modern fighter fly in civilian hands. All the money you could possibly spend to have an F-14 fly at airshows in civilian hands, you could build a Stuka, Me110 from scratch. You all tell me, what would you rather see at an airshow? ... an F-14 or a full scale Stuka replica? ... Personally I love the idea of the Fluk Wurk FW190's. The 262's. Build more and more. And for the same type of aircraft at airshows .... I'll fly to any airshow that has 6 P-38's or 6 P-47's or 6 of anything. I love numbers of any type of warbird.

You have a great point, Hellcat. For that matter, there are many WWII and Korean conflict airframes still rotting away around the world that could be restored to flight with the amount of money an F-14 would eat. I'd like to see a Betty or Ju-88 taxi up at an airshow, or maybe a B-26.

Nothing against the Tomcat, but your point is well taken.
Scott

I agree, as cool as the Tomcat is, I've seen enough of them over the last 30 years to last me a lifetime. I would hope that somebody could use the money for better use, like re-creating an "extinct" type of aircraft, like the TBD, or any number of German or Japanese aircraft. In a similar vein, it is my opinion that a HUGE amount of money was wasted in getting the Vulcan back to flying condition in G.B. That money could have been much better used to bring back some of the extinct or rare British aircraft, i.e. - the Halifax, Hornet, Mosquito, Whirlwind, etc.

Absolutely, but the problem is, there are the majority of airshow folks who do not think or care about the past. they want the very fast, very powerful, modern aircraft flying at airshows. How many times have you over-heard people at an airshow say .. "when are the jets going to fly?" ... personally I could care less about jet aircraft ... bring on the flame ...

Unfortunately Hellcat is right. The common folks would rather see the modern jets.

There is no account for taste.If it does not have prop blades the heck with it.With the exception of 262s of course.Friends dont let friends fly jets.

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Hang The Expense

Yes, that's unfortunate that people are like that, and I totally agree. I don't know how many airshows I've been to where people only came because of the Thunderbirds, Blue Angels, or F-15/16/18 demo's. Joe public could care less about an extremely rare original Japanese Zero, or the only flying Helldiver, Marauder, etc. I say, let the DOD pay for the fast jets and let the civilian sector take care of the warbirds. Yes, even though I have many, many hours in jets, I still could care less about the vast majority of them. Some airplanes always look cool in the air, though, like the F-4. That always turns my head. I used to always look at the F-105 in the same way. Same with the SR-71! What an awesome beast to see fly! For the most part, though, I don't really get all that excited about the vast majority of jets flying today with a few exceptions.

I'll try to explain this to you all .... I LOVE all things that fly, I love aircraft before 1939 and after 1945, but for some reason that I cannot possibly explain, I have a PASSION for all aircraft from 1939 to 1945, I still don't get it, but I'm hooked on those aircraft, what can I say? ... an F-14, 15, 18, 22 , wow!!!! wonderful, but who the heck cares? not me. I want "WARBIRDS" ... only. ... Look, If you can build a 262 or 190 from scratch, you can build a Stuka or 88 for the price of a 14, 18, etc.. ... I'd travel a long way to see a Stuka fly as opposed to an F-14... no matter if it were a replica. And what really IS a replica? ... most P-51's ARE replica's .... right?

I gotta' agree with the majority here. All due respect to youse jet jockeys, but if it ain't piston powered, I'm not all that interested.

Mudge the aesthete

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Land of the free because of the brave

Perhaps that is the attitude that resulted in so few flying examples of WWII aircraft...

RR

Hellcat wrote:




There are warbirds that were built in other periods - I own two of the many. NA-64 Yale built 1940. EA-1E Skyraider built 1953. Still Warbirds. I don't remember what year my AT-6 was built, but I think it was after that period as well. I know what you meant, but just another perspective.

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Eric

"I spent most of my money on alcohol, women and skyraiders....and the rest of it I just wasted."

Jets are for kids.

Jets are for kids.

I know what you mean too .... But your Spad and AT-6 fit closely to my PASSION .... and that's a fact!!!! ... you get what I mean. ....

Regarding the first post, does anyone have any information about the significant Stuka/ Me-110 remains that the Alpine Fighter Collection was supposed to have sold several years ago? Anyone ever see any of these aircraft? I wonder if Mr. Allen has anything along these lines.

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I'm looking for that buried Corsair(s) that I can dig up, pressure wash, and fly!