Quick A-25 Move. Hurry, Hurry, Chop, Chop.

RickH · **Posted:** Sat Jun 21, 2008 9:05 pm

I know that they were pulled to deal with corrosion. Doesn't matter if they are/were crap. The guys in Memphis were told NOT to reinstall them specifically so that no one would ever be tempted to fly it ,...EVER !!

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Sat Jun 21, 2008 9:13 pm

Could the person who made all the decisions regarding the the A-25 be named Hasseler :?:

F3A-1 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 21, 2008 10:22 pm

As a local MSP warbird nut I followed this project from the early '90's, well before the museum was involved. Mike has become a good and trusted friend over that time and I am very sorry to see this happen to a "good guy". I know for a fact that if he were not involved as a "visionary" in this project, most of it (and several other planes) would have been scraped.

I hope the future is better for you with an appreciative employer! Now don't you have a TBM to build?

Best of luck,
Pirate Lex
http://www.BrewsterCorsair.com

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Sun Jun 22, 2008 1:28 am

RickH wrote:

I know that they were pulled to deal with corrosion. Doesn't matter if they are/were crap. The guys in Memphis were told NOT to reinstall them specifically so that no one would ever be tempted to fly it ,...EVER !!

They had to be told that because they wanted to fly it Rick. They also took people through it for tours when they were not supposed to, and then took pieces of it through town on parade floats. There had to be items done to ensure things would not happen that were against NMUSAF that had happened before. When she is rebuilt she will indeed have tanks in her. THere is even a thought to her starting an engine before being moved to the main building.

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Thu Jun 26, 2008 6:01 pm

BUMP just because I feel like it :twisted:

RyanShort1 · **Posted:** Thu Jun 26, 2008 6:23 pm

From another thread...

Can I suggest that we all take a deep breath and agree to a week's moratorium on the USAFM issue? Then if you really still have to revisit it, go at it!
I'm as guilty as the rest, but maybe we don't know all of the facts... let's take Mike's gracious response as good enough for now.

If you really want to see something done, why not PM your friends and everybody call the AFM on a 15 minute schedule or something? See if that gets somebody's attention. Otherwise, we're just griping, complaining, and blowing into the wind!

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/

Ryan

Ztex · **Posted:** Thu Jun 26, 2008 7:27 pm

Ok guys... try and keep our comments on an even keel.

There are legitimate concerns about how these machines are handled. There are personal and personnel concerns as well. I know some folks didn't get their due and some who are defenders to the end. Those concerns can be addressed with out the rancor and back biting. I have been guilty of throwing out a smart azz comment now and then...but I try real hard not to be a jerk about things.

A lively discussion is great fun....try to be reasonable in your responses and remember on this here internet there is no body language or inflection to be seen and heard....just words...in black and white.

Be nice and have fun...

Thanks
Z

N3Njeff · **Posted:** Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:07 pm

Sorry to hear Mike, If I ever get to the museum again to see it, I will know whos heart and soul was put into it.

Yes....................lets get on that TBM!!!

Canso42 · **Posted:** Thu Jun 26, 2008 9:22 pm

I read all the way through this before responding and thought about it for awhile even then.
All the I'm commenting on is that I think we should all support and encourage Mike in his next endeavor. Regardless of our respective opinions and politics, warbirds is the common denominator and Mike's skill and dedication is too precious to let get away.
And the main fact here. Even if its a crap job when they display it, the aircraft DOES still exist. If it weren't for Mike, A-25 would just be a footnote to aviation history.
Great Job Mike. Dont give up!

sincerely,
Doug Ratchford, Brenham, Tx.

Fouga23 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 27, 2008 6:40 am

I don't know the US system, but since this is a government museum, Wouldn't it be possible to start a campaign to hold some sort of hearing on what happened?

Forgotten Field · **Posted:** Fri Jun 27, 2008 7:30 am

This being an election year, I think it highly possible to get somebody to set up a hearing on it. Actually, a simple call to Waste Fraud and Abuse hotlines might get something going.

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Fri Jun 27, 2008 7:34 am

Now there's a good idea get politics involved in it. Those people don't even know what a Helldiver is. Guys it was wrong for them to move as they did, and I don't like they way they treated Mike, but it was not hacked apart. There are many other warbirds out there that have suffered alot more in the sake of moving or transporting an aircraft. Once again, I am not a fan of how the move happened, but it is being blown out of proportion a bit.

HELLDIVERS · **Joined:** Sun Nov 07, 2004 3:38 pm **Posts:** 642

Before the bashing gets any worse I think we all need to stop and thank the museum for making the A-25 project a reality. It was a very complicated restoration and with out their intrest and support it would still be scattered on a Utah mountain side. I've always been amaized at what a fine collection they have and the current staff has done a excellent job of expanding the museum by many fold so I feel it is unfair to discredit all of the hard working folks that have made it what it is, the worlds largest collection of military aircraft.
I was very disapointed on how the A-25 was moved but the facts are it's now at the museum and I'm sure it will get finished and will be displayed in a reasonable amount of time. I would hate to see any political bungling that could effect any future projects like what has happened to the Navy museum. I hope we can all put this behind us and can learn from a few bad decisions and move on. Take a minute and think about how many a/c that have been saved from the scrap man and been put on display for all of our enjoyment. One bad apple shouldn't put a bad light on what goes on for all of those that have dedicated their lives to making the museum what it is today. Thank you for all of your kind words and support in what has been a difficult time for me but lets not create a monster that we will all live to regret later.
Thanks Mike

TAdan · **Posted:** Fri Jun 27, 2008 8:54 am

Well said Mike.

Thanks for all the hard work you put into this project. I look forward to seeing it at the museum.

rwdfresno · **Posted:** Fri Jun 27, 2008 10:05 am

Forgotten Field wrote:

This being an election year, I think it highly possible to get somebody to set up a hearing on it. Actually, a simple call to Waste Fraud and Abuse hotlines might get something going.

I think adding any more bureaucracy into the equation is the worst possible solution. Politicians don't give a hoot about an A-25. All they will do is add another layer of bureaucracy and probably find some pen pushing jerk make everyone at the museums life more difficult and inefficient. It is most likely that any damage that was made will be repaired by the museum and we can all go on with our lives. The best solution in my opinion would be for the NMUSAF to own up to the situation and release a public statement about it. I doubt that the general in charge of the museum or the management staff said "by the way I don't care how you transport that aircraft, chop it in half if you want to but just get it here."

Most likely it was some poor decisions by some worker bees. It is VERY easy to damage an aircraft when disassembling and transporting an aircraft. I know because I have done it. That is why it is important that they use very experienced people to lead a recovery project like this.

Hopefully a lesson has been learned, but we certainly will never know if we hear nothing from the NMUSAF.

Ryan

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