Warbird Information Exchange

Full listing here:
http://courtesyaircraft.com/Current%20I ... roject.htm

Beat me to it! So apparently this is a CAF aircraft? Is that right?

_________________
Keep Em' Flying,
Christopher Soltis
Dedicated to the preservation and education of The Sikorsky Memorial Airport

CASC Blog Page: http://ctair-space.blogspot.com/
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Chicks Dig Warbirds.......right?

And the Floodwaters just keep on pouring out of the floodgate!!!!! Sell another one Steve, why bother with a project when you have dozens of flying planes to sell?

$115k is not a bad price given the work that has already been put into it, and considering what the last few FPL birds were being sold for "as is". I know a few people who have experience at restoring TBMs already . In fact, Jack even suggested (half jokingly, I presume) that I should go out and get my own Avenger. I told him the best I could do was one in 1/48th scale . This one would be perfect. Now, I just need to figure out where to scrape up that kind of scratch.

Geez...this is the only project within like 600 miles of me outside of Kermit's place. Guess I better go check it out before it leaves too. I have spoken to a bunch of the people working on it....I bet they are going to be heart-broken over it. I wouldn't doubt if that CAF chapter folds after its gone...

Because of some comments in this topic, I’d like to offer some information as to why and how the TBM project came to be offered for sale. As you may or may not know, the aircraft operated by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) are owned by the American Airpower Heritage Flying Museum, Inc. (AAHFM) and registered in that name. The AAHFM board of directors and their Aircraft Management Committee are responsible for the overall management and health of the CAF fleet of aircraft, which includes the acquisition or sale of any aircraft.

The TBM project was assigned to the CAF Florida Wing, which already had an L-17 assigned, about four years ago, and that Wing began the restoration. However, after three years or so, the Wing realized that this was a very long-term and expensive project for them. At some point, the Florida Wing felt it needed a new strategic vision to continue to grow and prosper, and after meeting with CAF HQ staff asked that the TBM project be sold and the proceeds from that sale help the Florida Wing purchase a flying AT-6/SNJ aircraft. The Wing felt that this would allow them to have a CAF rides program and increase the Wing/CAF membership and provide a way to help financially support the Wing’s aircraft. Their proposal was presented to the AAHFM board and the committee, and the result was that the TBM was to first be offered for assignment to the other CAF units for at least three months but if after that time, no CAF unit had been assigned the project, it would be offered for sale. The TBM project was actually up for assignment for six months before the decision to sell was made, with no takers. The money from the sale of the TBM project would then be placed in the Aircraft Acquisition Fund and available to help the Florida Wing purchase a flying T-6.

All funds from sales of AAHFM/CAF aircraft go into either the Aircraft Acquisition Fund or the Aircraft Restoration Grant Program fund, and are then available to help purchase additional aircraft or help CAF units restore existing aircraft. I am a member of the AAHFM Board of Directors, as well as the CAF General Staff and other related boards, and the above information is from my participation in the meetings which resulted in the TBM project being offered for sale. I double checked my memory before writing this with Bob Stenevik, CAF VP of Operations, Maintenance & Safety, and CAF President Steve Brown is aware of this post. I hope this helps both CAF members and non-members understand the many steps taken to try and find a home for an aircraft or project within the CAF before ever offering it for sale. Hopefully the long-term results of this action will allow the CAF Florida Wing to be even stronger and continue their role in support of the CAF.

Randy

Thanks for the input, it's good to know that the Wing was included in the choice. I've chatted with them a number of times this past year and they all seem very empassioned about the plane. Hope to see another T-6 in the area soon then, and this bird going to a loving home that can finish it up.

Let me be clear that this action was taken at the request of the Florida Wing elected staff and those Wing members who met with the HQ folks. All the best.

Randy

Having followed the similar saga with Tanker 18 from its arrival in Frederick for the now-defunct Stars and Stripes Squadron in 2001, to its trip up to Hagerstown, and then being assigned to the National Capital Squadron and sent to Jack Kosko's for restoration, I can attest that the CAF does what it can to keep its birds "in house". Tanker 18 could have easily been put up for sale at any point in the process after the Stars and Stripes squadron folded. Instead, a home was found and, upon completion of its restoration, will likely become the "star attraction" for the National Capital Squadron in Culpeper. I hope Tanker 2 finds a similar happy ending.

So is it a Grumman or is it a TBM? A Grumman is a TBF and a GM one is a TBM.

Need to read my member only blog of CAF newsletter more closely. Must have missed the last 6 months of issues.

Eastern Aircraft TBM-3E.

Regardless of manufacture, I call them Grummans. It's no different than calling a B-17 a Boeing, even though most of the ones that survive today were either Douglas or Vega products.

I guess all of the B-17s are all B-17s, but the Navy put F or M in the designations for a reason even tho they're Avengers..

Thank You Randy,
It helps us understand the process much better. I wish we would get more explanations like this when something doesn't seem right. But then again, is it really my business? Two sides of the coins and I can see both. But your post helps squelch all rumors in just a few well written lines.

Kel

Up until 1962, the Air Force (and Army Air Force that preceded it) and Navy used different designations. The Air Force used a numeric designation, regardless of manufacturer. The manufacturer was farther in the designation, which also included its production block. For instance, a B-17 produced by Vega would be designated: B-17G-95-VE, indicating that it was a B-17, G model, in the 95th production block and built by Vega.

The Navy incorporated the manufacturer in its designations: F stood for Grumman, hence TBF, F4F, F6F, et al. M stood for Eastern Aircraft Division of General Motors, hence TBM, FM-2. Same with Corsairs. Vought was F4U. Goodyear-built ones were FG-1s, Brewster built Corsairs were F3As.