Warbird Information Exchange

I received a report indicating the Great Lakes Wing has moved from Gary to Lansing. Can anyone confirm?

Mike

P.S. Here is the Locator Dossier...
http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/LocationDos ... erial=2488

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Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

Yes, they did relocate to Lansing. The folks at Gary apparently had some heartburn with the JU-52 in WW2 German markings.

Walt

I'm guessing it more the swastika than the Luftwaffe markings which I can understand.

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Don't touch my junk!!

Thanks Gents.

I was also told the CASA 352L was returned to Midland. Can anyone confirm?

Assuming they still have the C-47, did they keep the name "Great Lakes Wing"? Do they have a website?

Mike

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Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

Mike
Great Lakes still has Black Sparrow, but have returned the JU-52 (Casa built) to headquarters for reassignment.

Their website is
http://www.greatlakeswing.org/

Love the work you have done on the locator

Chris

Thanks!

New location...
http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/LocationDos ... erial=7761

Mike

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Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

I am a memeber of the Great Lakes Wing.
Although I am not the Public Information Officer, I am newly promoted to the HQ Staff.

There was a lot more to our moving from Gary (GYY) to Lansing (IGQ) than the JU-52 swastika controversy. It actually had little to do with it. We had solved the swastika problem by installing a clip-on cover over the swastika(s) while the airplane was parked. We operated out of Gary for many years with this set up. I am not at liberty to discuss all of the BS that forced us from Gary.

We would have moved to Lansing sooner but for a vicious smear campaign involving the JU-52 launched by an anonymous coward. When it was announced in the local press that our wing was considering a move to Lansing with our airplanes, a gutless detractor wrote a series of anonymous letters to Lansing elected officials, civic leaders and the FBO calling the JU-52 a "Nazi Tribute Plane" and essentially calling our members Nazi sympathizers. The local newspaper actually published one of this coward's anonymous letters without attribution. Our Public Information Officer responded swiftly in a polite but forceful and intelligent manner. Our argument was published in the local newspaper and on line. But the damage was done. We lost some support and our request was withdrawn.

The irony here is that our JU-52 had participated in aviation events at Lansing for a number of years without one complaint. The airplane was a heckuva draw and people gathered around it in droves only to be disappointed that we could not sell rides. It was a popular bird where ever we flew it to. Since the airplane could not pay its way with rides and justify its operating expense, we had to give up on it. As a qualified crew chief on the airplane, I was sad to see it go. Once the JU-52 problem (politically and financially) was out of the way, moving to Lansing was a breeze. We are very happy to be there and the aviation community (and our neighbors in the town) are happy to have us there.

Our wing has been very active this year despite the circumstances that have curtailed the airshow venues. We participated in the Thunder over Michigan show in August among other airshows. We have been dropping paratroopers out of our D-Day C-47 all over the place. We are going to Middletown, Ohio, this weekend to drop paratrooper re-enactors in the Wings of Freedom Air Show (Sept 20-21). And we will be participating in the big Airborne reunion at Pope AFB this October (sponsored by the 440th TCG).

I would like to thank all who have helped and supported our wing over the years. We are going to work hard to ensure our continued existence and participation in the warbird community events, airshows and reunions in the future.

Col. Tony Mireles
C-47 Flight Crew Member
and 2009 Tour Director
Great Lakes Wing
Commemorative Air Force

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"Welcome back Mr. Lasky."

Thanks for that, Tony.

Do you know if any CAF units are expressing an interest in the old Tante Ju?

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

It is truly a shame that a lot of people still feel that the swastika is offensive. I suppose I would too had I suffered the Horrors of Nazi Germany during the 3rd Reich.
While I have no association to any group that sports the swastika, I find it amazing, that folks have a hard time dealing with the swastika and what it stood for back during the 3rd Reich, as they Know that the 3rd Reich is a long time dead.
The swastika on the plane, only adds to its educational value, where those that were affected by the mere sight of the swastika, and those that suffered by the hands of what it represented, can educate the un-informed of the horrors of the misguided, and irrational.
We cannot afford to bury history, least it be repeated. Knowledge is power, and everyone should be educated that war is wicked in many aspects.

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Kind Regards,
Gary Lewis
J.A.F.O.

My cousin was shot down and killed by a FW-190 wearing a swastika so I really have no interest in seeing it displayed.
But, I won't have a fit about it being so if done so in the proper manner and the right reason.
To say that the Nazi's are a long time dead maybe a bit premature though.

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Don't touch my junk!!

I cannot say that I honestly know how you feel Jack. I can however understand your not having any interest in it being displayed.
The "Nazi's" of WWII are now hollow empty old men and women that are of little to no threat. It is the weirdo NeOs I worry about, because they are as Frucked up as the original players of the Reich .
We still be cool though huh Jack?

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Kind Regards,
Gary Lewis
J.A.F.O.

Do you have the same dislike for the Maltese cross painted on the wings of that same FW-190? Finnish aircraft had Swastikas as well, how do you rate those? What about the FW-190 itself?

Sparks are gonna start flying on this thread so let me add to this. Why not?haha



I think it is important to inform the uneducated. It doesnt bother me much about the swastika. Its a part of history. But I am sure this will be a debate that will go on for years.

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Shop the Airplane Bunker At
www.warbirdbunker.com

Remember that preserving history and educating people is a big part of what we do. And part of that is educating people about some really ugly stuff. The machines that are our passion honor many who gave all to stop that ugliness.
Doug

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"I love the smell of 100LL in the morning."