Warbird Information Exchange

Hi all,

In conjunction with the Valkaria Air Fest (ValkariaAirFest.org) at Valkaria Airport (X59), Valkaria FL, we have been able to arrange a couple of seats for a ride on a B-25 bomber. The flight will leave Valkaria Airport on the afternoon of the event, and fly to Space Coast Executive Airport (TICO). Transportation will be provided (within certain parameters).

We are auctioning off the two available seats for this 45-minute ride opportunity to the highest bidders, via an eBay auction. Here's the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0283619557

I know the first question that this crowd will want to know is "which B-25?" Believe me, I'd like to say here, but the "hitch" is that the owner is very busy, and doesn't really have the time to deal with a bunch of random members of the general public trying to get in touch with him directly asking all sorts of questions about the plane (most of whom have no intention of even bidding for the ride). SO... to get more details, you need to be serious enough to place a bid, at which time our auction coordinator will be happy to answer all the questions for you. Of course, at that point should anything about the offer cause you wish to retract your bid, that's fine and there won't be a penalty.

Let's just say here publicly that it's a well-known aircraft, owned and flown by an extremely qualified person who is well-known in warbird circles, and both the plane and owner are currently based in the eastern half of the USA. Sorry for not being able to give more details here, but the owner was, after all, generous enough to make this opportunity available to us to benefit our event. We wish to respect his time and do our best to make this whole thing easy for him so that he will have as good of a time at the event as the rest of us! Thanks for y'alls understanding on that point.

Good luck to all bidders!

BTW, we're going to have some other stuff of general interest to this group at the Air Fest. Tuskegee ace Lee Archer and several other Tuskegee Airmen, shuttle astronauts, other "historic" aviators, warbird aerobatics, static displays, various aircraft rides (including a PT-17, Pitts, helicopters), etc. If you have a warbird or other "unusual" aircraft of any kind, please consider bringing it to the show!

-Mike

Sounds like Panchito

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Live to fly, Fly to live.....

second that

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Don't touch my junk!!

Maybe it's Reilly's B-25 kept at Titusville. No one is really that busy to be so secretive.

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Live to fly, Fly to live.....

This is what irks many people.

Why are warbird owners so "secretive" and want to withold information or what they own or fly from the public?.

It is all abit silly ...many people i talk to have commented on such things.
Then again a warbird owner can do what they like.

But public expenditure can help them dramatically in cheaper flying.
If less behind closed doors and more interaction with the public, some warbird owners might get more rides generated and more money flowing their way.

I have found in past some reclusive warbird owners were shocked to know that serious people would pay $$$ but the owners didnt wana advertise where their planes was kept or when it flew.. ]

So people took their $$ elsewhere to other owners who were more accommodating and public orientated.
Its all very logic to some but others have a closed mind mentality.

Thing is im talking not about high tech warbird but simple trainers.

What makes owners so reclusive is obviously one thing... they dont want people turning up to view the plane/s at all hours or potential theives...

flyingheritage wrote

This being a ebay auction that can be seen worldwide I can understand in part someone not wanting their name out.
But, I on the other had I won't buy anything without a few more facts. I don't think this will get many bids if any at all for that reason.
So least a photo of the airplane should be shown.
You should also let them know what seat position their winning bid gets them or they may assume their up helping out in the cockpit
You have a contact person in the form of the ebay seller to answer questions.
I think it would be better served by posting in appropiate forums like this and locally for the best response. IMHO

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Don't touch my junk!!

I generally agree, some owners are a bit overly secretive... BUT, I don't think that's really the case here. The owner was generous enough to offer us this opportunity to help us raise support for our event. We obviously don't want him to go away from the event feeling like participating became was more of a hassle than it was worth. So if he wants to stay back out of the limelight, well, I can understand that and we will help with that aspect.

I don't think there's any concern with the warbird community which subscribes to this forum. I think it's more the thought that the unwashed masses will try to ferret out all sorts of info and become a nuisance... most of you have probably seen the threads here about the stupid things that folks do at airshows, like lift their kids up to do pull-ups on pitot tubes. I think dealing with those types is more the concern here.

I'm not the one who arranged the ride, but do know the owner a little bit, and he's not a bad guy -- certainly not someone whom I've ever found to be "snobby" at all, or less than supportive of the general public's access to warbirds, or anything like that. In the end it is actually our event committee's decision to take this approach, not even the owner's. If it upsets you, blame us, not him.

If anyone is REALLY curious, PM me and I'll tell you... it's not *that* secret. But please understand that we do NOT want to confirm the plane or owner in public. Whether that seems silly or not, the fact is that we are really just trying to make this easy on the owner, that's all. There will be plenty of opportunity for anyone in the general public or otherwise to ask questions and chat during the event.

Thanks,
Mike (VAF Exec. Committee / VAF Webmaster)

Shhh!

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"Hindsight is usually 20% off!"

Tom Reilly flew in with B-25 Killer Bee from TICO.
The History Hanger had many good speakers.
Hellcat pilot, Cdr. USNR (Ret) Wm. Barnett who trained at NAS Melbourne and Valkaria spoke.
Also on hand was Maj. Gen. "Boots" Bleese F-86 Sabre double ace.

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Bill


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