Spitfire Repairs and Update

[Bill Greenwood]

As most of you know my Spitfire was damaged in a landing roll out collision recently.

Ray, Tim, and Ross went to Galveston and loaded the plane on a truck with the help of the Lone Star folks, and it was returned safely to the QG shop, along with the damaged left wing from the Hurricane.

They have just begun to disassemble and assess needed repairs.

I greatly appreciate all the offers of labor. Ray and Tim had enough hands and preferred to work that way.

It will be a long and expensive job, but one day I hope she will fly again. The cost of the trip, just for transportation was $6,200, ($4500 truck, plus $1700 insurance). I don't yet have the bill for the QG labor.

Many have offered financial help. So, if you would like to contribute, you may send a check to QG Aviation, 140 Racquette Dr., Ft. Collins, Co. 80524. PLEASE MARK IT SPITFIRE. They aren't set up for credit cards. PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR ADDRESS & PHONE, so I can keep a record. I don't need email.

I can't guarantee what will happen with the plane, that it will be restored or not. So if you can afford something, and want to help, yes I would appreciate it. If not I/we will do the best we can. And no, at this time, she is not for sale, and I miss flying the Spitfire.

Thanks for any help, and all the good wishes.

[oscardeuce]

Best of luck Bill!

[lestweforget]

I second that. All the best. I really do hope you get to fly the Spitfire again. If I can send an embarassingly small amount of money , I will.

[EDowning]

Bill Greenwood wrote:

Ray, Tim, and Ross went to Galveston and loaded the plane on a truck with the help of the Lone Star folks, and it was returned safely to the QG shop, along with the damaged left wing from the Hurricane.

They have just begun to disassemble and assess needed repairs.

I greatly appreciate all the offers of labor. Ray and Tim had enough hands and preferred to work that way.

It will be a long and expensive job, but one day I hope she will fly again. The cost of the trip, just for transportation was $6,200, ($4500 truck, plus $1700 insurance). I don't yet have the bill for the QG labor.

You could have had the Air Force Museum move it for next to nothing. All you would have had to supply was chainsaws and a couple of pickup trucks.

[Bluedharma]

Bill,
Thanks for the update.
Are you going to be at the Wings of Freedom Tour this or next week?

06/30/2008 to 07/03/2008 ----- WINGS OF FREEDOM TOUR, B-17,B-24,B-25
Broomfield,Colorado United States
(BJC/United States-Colorado) http://www.airport-data.com/airport/BJC/

07/03/2008 to 07/06/2008 ----- WINGS OF FREEDOM TOUR, B-17,B-24,B-25
Ft. Collins-Loveland,Colorado United States
(FNL/United States-Colorado) http://www.airport-data.com/airport/FNL/

Best Regards,
Paul

[Bill Greenwood]

Blue, yes I will try to come over for the Wings Tour. My son is racing his Yamaha 600 in Pueblo Sat and Sun so I may go there one day. I expect to come over in my Bonanza. Thanks for the reminder. Which FBO are they parking near?

[Bluedharma]

Hi Bill,

I apologize. I guess I was confused.
The aircraft will only be there starting next week.
I was hoping to see it this Saturday but it looks like it will be there on Monday June 30th.

From what I understand Stevens Aviation is coordinating the event... but the aircraft will be parked by the main terminal building.
I think that is the same area that the Rocky Mountain Metro Airport Open house was held at.

So it will be there on Monday June 30th until the morning of July 3rd and then it goes to Ft. Collins-Loveland KFNL for the 4th - 6th.

I hope your son does well in the race.

Best Regards,
Paul

[warbird1]

Thanks for the update Bill and I wish you a speedy return to the skies. May I suggest you start a photo thread with pictures of the restoration? If you did something like Gary did with Diamond Lil/Ole'927, you might generate a lot more interest for the restoration. After all, the folks here at WIX basically donated all of the machine guns for the airplane. You never know.

There are a lot of ways to generate funds for your aircraft. Have you thought about setting up a non-profit organization or museum, or perhaps donate your airplane to a flying museum, with the promise that they pay for all the repairs and give you unlimited lifetime flying priviledges? There are options out there, but some of them may not be palatable to you.

Best of luck and keep us updated!

[Michel C-GNCJ]

Thanks for the update Bill !

Whish she gets back into the air soon enough !

[bdk]

Bill, maybe you should apply for a government grant? http://www.governmentgrant.com/michael-lesko.html



I donate money all the time to worthy causes, but I don't see people lining up to send me money for enhancing the value of my personal property (my T-6 project). In fact, when I get my T-6 flying even Mudge won't be excluded due to height & weight limitations. I guess I'm kind of jealous of all this generosity headed your way... Let me know how you make out. Maybe I should take out a loan to buy a Spitfire project if the return on investment from donations is there?

[Bill Greenwood]

I am not surprised that asking for donations for my Spitfire has gotten some negative replies. However, BDK, I am surprised and disappointed that one of them is from you. First, when I first had the accident and it was on WIX, there were a couple of dozen people that offered to help with labor and donations. I did not request it, they offered, and that meant a lot to me. The point is to get the plane flying again, I don't see it as mostly "enhancing the value of my personal property". Perhaps that's what it is to you. I don't really expect to get much in the way of donations, it is much easier to write about help than to mail a check, that's human nature. Also, these days EDIT economy, people may not have a lot of money to spare, unless you are an oil co or a defense contractor.. And it looks like things can get much worse, the Dow is heading for 11,000 and oil for $150, lot's of people are losing their homes.

[groundpounder]

not to get personal bill, but dont you have insurance for this type of thing? it would seem foolhardy to have something of that historical and monetary value and not be covered. i'm not trying to judge, im just curious. good luck!!

[ZRX61]

not to get personal bill, but dont you have insurance for this type of thing? it would seem foolhardy to have something of that historical and monetary value and not be covered. i'm not trying to judge, im just curious. good luck!!

Having recently worked on a damaged Mustang I can tell you the deductible is staggering. In that case I think it was in the region of $150,000...

[groundpounder]

150,000 is a bargain for a million dollar repair though. i'm not trying to sound flippant, i'm just surprised that one accident could potentially be the end of the line for mr. greenwood as far as his spitfire goes. i guess this puts the perspective a little more in focus. whatever the case i really hope that it all works out for him. and i'm sure it will.

[fotobass]

This seems pretty simple here.

Some folks asked how they could help. Here's the information.

Feel free to use it or not.