P-82 update...

[RyanShort1]

Found this article:

Air Force Re-evaluates Static Display's Value
By Libera Real
Expresso News


Vintage aircraft on display at Lackland AFB

San Antonio, TX - Local vintage aircraft enthusiasts were surprised to hear the announcement Tuesday that may have several aircraft that have been long-standing static display tenants of the parade grounds put up for auction next month.

Apparently, despite some serious reservations from Air Force officials - who expressed fear that they could eventually be used as "weapons of mass destruction," the Obama administration has decided that their sale would provide a means for additional fundraising for pet Air Force weapons projects. Air Force spokesperson Bill Caff said that the sale of the P-51, B-24, B-17, and P-82 alone was expected to bring upwards of 6 million dollars.

It was not clear at the press conference if all of the aircraft will be put up for auction, or if the auction will be limited to the propeller-driven aircraft, but local air museums and enthusiasts were already making plans to be there. Local air museum volunteer Johny Cabrera said that if the jets were included that even foreign countries might get involved in the bidding process. The parade grounds include several rare jets including the secretive SR-71 Aurora, A-10 Warthog, and F-16 "Lawn Dart" as well as other vintage jets.

Several of the local base personnel when asked about the possible auction expressed sadness at the loss of these historic aircraft, a number of young cadets mentioning that they would feel "out of touch" with their past and the occasional visit they could experience during their basic training. Another older gentleman noted that while he would "miss" the aircraft, he thought it would be a good idea to recoup the annual expenditures for maintaining the aircraft and expressed his hope that groups such as the Confederate Air Force might be able to operate the aircraft. He noted that since 9/11 the parade grounds have been off limit to the public anyway and since airshows are regularly hosted by the Air Force base he thought that there would be at least as much exposure to the aircraft in the future.

The spokesperson said that the evaluation will be completed by the end of the week and further information will be available next Monday.

Ryan

Last edited by RyanShort1 on Wed Apr 01, 2009 5:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[bdk]

And where exactly did you find that?

[RyanShort1]

And where exactly did you find that?

It was forwarded to me by a friend from Ober's "secret owners" society... I wouldn't want to blow his cover.

Ryan

[dors]

SR-71 Aurora....

[Chad Veich]

Remember the date today folks.

[cozmo]

Granted, the quality of journalism has really gone down the tubes.

But this was as badly researched as the ABC story from the other day.

If it had been written well, I would suspect it of being an April Fool's Joke.

The writer is probably a genius for writing it this way, and it is still a joke. Or, it is a typical journalist and could be true.

He should have used a better name for the author and News service.

[P51Mstg]

Dudes....... April FOOL...........

Come on, if they were going to get rid of them, they would have handed them off to their political buddies, not sell them.........

Mark H

[RickH]

Wonder how much they think they can get for the B-24 ?

Maybe the left hand really doen't know what the right hand has already done ?

[jet1]

....what will they come after next l-1's & l-2's maybe the steerman that are out there, or a jenny...thats gotta be worth 500.00 then they could take that money and buy a 500.00 hammer....yeah thats the ticket!

[Green Goggles]

Ok, I can admit... you got me.

[RyanShort1]

For the record (and to keep this from being a point of confusion for later visors to the site) I do know that the SR-71 is not the Aurora, that the B-24 is a replica, and that this story was completely fabricated...



I also do not hate the USAF preserving static aircraft from their heritage at their bases.

I do wish the spot was still open to the general public like it used to be when I was a kid. It was a lovely place for a homeschool field trip and picnic.

Ryan

[bluehawk15]

As I recall, the SR-71 is a small scale replica. The P-38 on a stick there is a full scale replica.

[RyanShort1]

As I recall, the SR-71 is a small scale replica. The P-38 on a stick there is a full scale replica.

I'm pretty sure that the SR-71 is real - but gutted. I think that's the bird I actually got to see fly for the last time when they brought it in for the airshow at Kelly years ago.

Ryan

[RyanShort1]

I do wish the spot was still open to the general public like it used to be when I was a kid. It was a lovely place for a homeschool field trip and picnic.

Ryan

Here's how I like to remember the Lackland parade grounds... back when homeschool moms and their kids weren't a threat.





I remember several nice history field trips to Lackland and some other neat places.

Ryan

[hercules130]

GOT MY HEART RATE POUNDING