Warbird Information Exchange

Well, we all know what spurred that comment.

One day something will happen, and then people will realize what matters.

Just hope it is nothing serious.

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Do-17z fact and history site, setting it straight.
There is something deeply wrong with a society more offended by breasts than by entrails.

O.k. so this started a battle that last time I talked about this, but can someone tell me the deal with this B-25/PBJ. I know that it is made up of a few aircraft, and remember that the rear fuselage was indeed a D model fuselage. I worked at Air Heritage whn this first got there, and helped clean out the interior and prep it for restoration. I believe parts were from a PBJ, some J and some D model.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director

From The Colonel

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I never said the jokes were Good, they're just Free! You gets whatchyas pays for!

Now, this may answer a few things about the way the CAF used to operate several years ago. Being a local aviation historian, aerobatic instructor and author, I was contacted by a member of my aerobatic club to see if I'd like to fly "Fifi"! They had to transfer her from my town down to Midland, and it just so happened he was one of her captains...and I could go along and even get a little stick time! Woohoo! Obviously, I did!
During the flight, he mentioned that it was probably his last flight in her, as he had become very discouraged by the CAF. When I asked why, he
said he had told the CAF HQ about several correct dash # R-3350's he'd found for "Fifi" at a bargain basement price. They took a few trailers to the place, bought them, and transported them all back to the CAF in the large, metal cans they shipped them in. Sounds great so far!
But when he went the last time to see how the engines were stored, he found the CAF had opened all the cans...took the plugs out of them all for use, and then left them out in the rain! He told me every engine was full of rainwater, and totally ruined! And after all his work to provide engines for life for her!
Just another CAF story, I guess, but one from a man totally devoted to "Fifi".

Danno

That could be, Danno, but it was before my time there, I can assure you.

Gary

I heard a strange rumor yesterday Gary. Supposedly the Rare Bear guys needed a good motor ASAP so they talked to Anderson, and scored one. Anderson told them it was supposed to be for the CAF, but they could wait another six months so Rod Lewis bought it, and Anderson is building another one for the CAF. Any idea if that's true? If so, was it one that was destined for FIFI?

Gary is correct.

Two terms comes to mind here after hearing this most incredible story:
1. Senility
2. Massive quantities of male bovine excrement. Really massive amounts!!

I have no way of knowing if that's true or not. I am no longer a member of the CAF and don't have any knowledge of anything that's going on with the B-29, other than what's posted here on WIX. Sorry.

Gary

So does the Hybred dash numbers fit on Sea Furys and Rare Bear? Not really a ethical thing to do without Squadron permission. Maybe Rod will Sponsor her in thanks.

To b29driver;
I'm new here, so I'm not sure if the comments you made were about me PERSONALLY, or about what I related, or about some other person's comments. I'll just assume it was NOT about me, and perhaps this forum really DOES allow factual incidents to be made public, without sophomoric retribution.
True, this happened many years ago, but is almost verbatim of what was told to me by the captain of "Fifi" that day, who was sitting in the left seat, while I was sitting in the right seat. I don't have any evidence of
what he said being factual, nor do I have any reason to think he was
lieing. We all know there are many GOOD stories about the CAF, and many stories NOT so good.
Personally, I am NOT a CAF member, and never have been. But I've been announcing airshows for over 30 years now, and have worked intimately with them at almost every one. I've flown in numerous CAF aircraft, and have even ridden in the ball turret AND tail turret of "Texas Raiders" back when they used to allow it!
You can doubt my word if you must, but if you're simply insulting me so that you can more easily pass of what I've said as "heresay", then you diminish this forum for what it is supposed to be: a place to pass on information, as openly as possible, to get help for our beloved warbirds.

Danno

Again, this is a rumor, nothing more, but I have heard it from a VERY reliable source.

How do you retroactively charge someone for the value of a charitable donation? I can't give money to the Red Cross and then send them a bill for it later if I don't like the way they spend it. What am I missing here?

Danno,

My comment was not directed at you, only the story you were told. When people become disgruntled the details can vary drastically from reality. To think that otherwise perfectly good engines were robbed of spark plugs and left out to rust away is not believable, even in past days at the CAF. It is not a story that I have every heard and I have heard many. Stubbornness and personal differences generously sprinkled with seniority can sometimes confuse the actual details. All Colonels and no Sergeants makes for a really difficult organization to manage. If you buy me multiple beers I'll reveal how I know that.

The comment about the engine for RareBear is a good example of how fast things can be put in a negative light without any knowledge of the actual facts. Not every decision can be put out to the SQD for an opinion and vote before being acted on. FIFI will not fly anytime in the immediate future, so why would it be a problem if one of the future engines delivery is diverted to another needy party? It might extend some good will and will certainly be a good test for the experimental setup.

Being an airshow announcer for 30 years with the "handle" Danno, you wouldn't have any first hand knowledge of driving a Cadillac convertible from the Acey Duecy to the hotel in reverse while dressed in a tux would you?

Nope, not me...but I wish it was!! I've worked with all the best, and some are really good...and some just THINK they are! Not naming names, here!
Let me restate that I DON'T harbor any ill feelings toward the CAF, even though I probably should!
I once was in the process of "parting together" a P-47 "Thunderbolt", getting airframe parts from all over the world (many from the late P-47 guru Earl Reinert), picking through crash sites from South Carolina to Hawaii, and putting them all together in my T-hangar. Finally, I came to a point that I needed a complete fuselage, which would help me greatly.
The CAF had one in New Mexico, which they had deemed excess to their needs, and had put it up for bid. I bid...didn't hear anything...called, and they said they had never recieved it! So, I did it all again...STILL they said they never got it, even though I got confirmation that they had. The last two times I even FAXED my bid, so they'd have no excuse. After my third attempt, I got a phone call from a friend who was also trying to part one together, and he told me he had won!
And guess what? He bid less than my very first bid!! I KNOW my bid got there, and they ignored it! In frustration, I sold all of my stuff to this man, who hoprefully will have one flying soon...or else he will sell his project to someone else.
This is not the first time I've come across the "Good Ol' Boy" system among warbird people...just the most personally frustrating!
And THIS is first-hand!

Danno

you are quick!

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S.