Warbird Information Exchange

My, my. You're certainly quick to jump to conclusions. I have every intention of making the $100 donation anyway. For the record, I've made cash donations to many warbird restoration projects and museums (most of those donations were $100 or more). I've never expected anything in return. In this case, I was simply hoping to scare up a jacket patch -- not knowing if they existed or not -- because I collect B-17 jacket patches.

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Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Port Charlotte, Florida

bitch bitch bitch bitch bitch bitch you guys sound like a bunch of old ladies. there is a whole page wasted on worthless banter that has nothing to do with the pof B-17.

bdk - if I Paypal you the $50 can you donate it in person for me? Or can I do it online?

Dan

I simply asked a question about the old parts coming out of the POF B-17, and got jumped.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director

Okay, this time I'm the one that started the ugliness I reckon. I didn't mean to get everyone wound around the axle about the NMUSAF, either good or bad. I was just responding to a comment made about them taking parts off their airplane to help get another, non-NMUSAF airplane flying. MY experience with that idea has had undesirable results. Apparently, Chris has heard of the opposite. All of that is well and good, but all I can report (which I still believe was valid to the conversation at hand) is what I've experienced in the past. Trust me, I've got my own problems with the NMUSAF and don't need to stir up anymore issues than I've already got. And Chris, just as a friendly suggestion (really), you don't have to take every single negative comment about the NMUSAF so personally. Just because someone has had a bad experience with the organization doesn't mean they dislike YOU, and it doesn't mean they're necessarily "bashing" anyone (although admitedly, it does get out of hand from time to time). That goes for some other folks on this board (one in particular, who sends me the occasional PM telling me what my opinion should be) when negative comments about another well known Warbird organization, that is often times controversial in the way they handle things. Okay? Okay. We're all cool now, right?

So let's all get in a big circle, hold hands, and sing Kumbya.

And noizeedave, if you need me to get you any measurements for the windshields, just zap me an e-mail or PM. I'll be happy to help however I can.

Gary

Just funnin' with ya! Nobody gets my dry sense of humor sometimes...

They will send you a cloisonne pin though and a certificate of appreciation with two B-17 veterans actual signatures on it with your donation. Just mention that you would like a patch if they ever make some and they might consider doing just that. Right now with the economy the way it is I think they may be focusing on reducing inventory rather than investing in new products so it could be a while.

You can call them at the number I provided and give them your credit card number, or donate on the POF site I listed online.

Ok - great, thanks.

Just noticed that the online giftshop has memberships shown, but no donations. I'll see if I can get donations added to that page.

You can also mail a check.

As for me taking PayPal, I can do this if the money comes from your bank account and NOT a credit card. If you use any type of credit card PayPal will require me to upgrade to a "Premier" account that costs me money, meaning that I would have to pay an annual fee AND a percentage of your donation! I would rather donate my money to POF than give a profit to PayPal.

Unfortuantely, many folks don't have good reading comprehension so I'm the bad guy when I refuse their payment because they used a credit card and the museum would lose out in the end. Also, if I get hit by a street car you might lose your money.

About 3 years ago (before the POF online gift shop) I had a WIXer (who never posted again and never responded to my e-mails) send me a PayPal payment in exchange for a hat. The payment showed up in my account and I sent the hat, and even paid for the shipping myself. A few weeks later PayPal had taken the payment back out of my account so I had been stiffed.

Scott told me that it was a major headache for him when he collected PayPal donations for the CAF B-24, so honestly, I'd rather avoid similar headaches.

That's no sweat, don't worry about it. I'll call the gift shop tomorrow if I get back in time from work and take care of it.

Dan

Gary we were never not cool man. Look, I don't want to tie up BDK's thread about the POF B-17, but I was just trying to get the pieces that may get discarded for a small group of guys trying to maintain the Grissom B-17. I DON'T care about the politics of the whole thing. If I helped out the NMUSAF or the CAF or the CF, or a private owner. All I care about is that maybe I can help make a B-17 a little more complete. Do I tend to take the bashing of the NMUSAF personal? Sure sometimes. Even more so when a rumor or half of the story is told. But I would stand up and argue the same injustice on any other group. DO I agree with every thing that comes out of Dayton? Of course not. Did you agree with everything that came out of Texas? Of course not. But in another thread you were very fast to get involved when you felt someone was bashing Ole 927, and rightly so. That was your baby, and no matter what politics take place, she always will be. You take it personal because you care. I do the same. Not on every post, but I don't like to see rumors and lies posted here about a place that does the best they can. Not perfect, best they can. The leasership cares very deeply about honoring and preservation, and is trying to turn around years of thinking one way. But it happens in steps. Gary we are cool, and Brad I am with you too. Hope you guys are as well.

Now back on topic, BDK will she be painted OD over gray or bare metal? Also does it have real turrets?

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director

I got pictures of the inside that would party answer that question... as soon as I finish putting them up together on the new POF page...

As I said earlier... soon ! The weekend forecast is real crappy over here so it looks like I won't be flying to Ottawa's Classic Air Rallye with my 140. Might find the time to complete the page. We'll see... Stay tuned !

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Michel C
Thousands of a/c pics at Passion-Aviation

I'm more of a nuts and bolts guy rather than a paint guy, so I don't pay much attention to markings until I'm at the paint store! I don't even know how I'm going to paint my own plane when it's done!

There is a donor for the paint, so I suspect it will return to OD over gray. It has the ball turret installed, and POF does have other turrets around so I think if they wanted to put one in they probably could.

Chris,

I saw your post above and wondered what parts the USAFM is moulding, I assume it is windscreen transparencies, if so we are interested in a set as our Beaufighter's panels are crazed and due for replacement, and access to pre-existing moulds would be of great interest?

http://www.aarg.com.au/beaufighter.htm

Please email me via our museum email address info@aarg.com.au with any details or contacts at USAFM regarding Beaufighter transparency moulds and production runs?

regards

Mark Pilkington
Secretary
Australian National Aviation Museum

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20th Century - The Age of Manned Flight
"from Wrights to Armstrong in 66 years -WOW!"