Will you support WIX project #1?

Forgotten Field · **Posted:** Mon Jul 04, 2005 9:20 am

Reference to Rob Rohr's Post on NHC's relative slowness to recover the Midway Brewster Buffalo- would you be willing to assist and call it WIX project #1?

Jiggersfromsphilly · **Joined:** Fri Jun 17, 2005 3:15 pm **Posts:** 951

I would be happy to write. My mother worked for Brewster at the Johnsville PA plant.

CorsairFreak · **Posted:** Mon Jul 04, 2005 12:16 pm

I wish I could, I just don't have time for it right now. I have a lot of work I need to catch up on. :cry:

Aircraft Mech Paul · **Posted:** Mon Jul 04, 2005 12:46 pm

Hello All,

Considering how rare the Buffalo is among our American manufactured fighters/Warbirds of WW II. It would be a crying shame NOT to see another example of this type recovered. If not for a museum and the eventual restoration to at least display staus, then for at the very least to see one more example in exisitance. Take for example, the Vought Vindicator that the NAS Pensacola Museum has recovered and restored. She is a beautiful example and the only one her breed known in existence. May I put forward one question. And I ask this based on the idea that at one time, at least within the group of guys that I know personally. If you had the opportunity to recover an extremely rare Douglas TBD Devastator....wouldn't you want to ?

I would love to participate in whatever this project would entail. Unfortunately I do not know how one would go about it. I can offer my support in whatever form that is needed. All I would need personally, is a way to help.

Respectfully,

Paul

Mark_Pilkington · **Posted:** Mon Jul 04, 2005 5:19 pm

As stated on the other thread, I'm on board, lets go!

Rob, your "leading the group" on this mission as far as I'm concerned, issue the flight plan and nominate the targets!!

regards

Mark Pilkington

Forgotten Field · **Posted:** Mon Jul 04, 2005 8:05 pm

Paul,
I thought that would come up, and thanks for bringing it up. I think the better way is to pick this more obscure one which has been (according to Rob) identified to NHC as needing recovery, and needing to be placed in restoration due to its history. This is more of a first run/exercise to see what we can do as a group. Getting into the Devastator will only open old wounds, may perchance put the board into an un-winnable mix, and we will certainly run into other interested parties at some point. So let's focus on the F2A and see what we can do there, and then try for bigger fish. It might lead to some progress in other areas, such as the Devastator. But more so, it will give us a chance to collectively do what we can do. How does my logic seem to you? What are your thoughts?

CorsairFreak · **Posted:** Mon Jul 04, 2005 9:51 pm

What is the whole TBD ordeal mentioned several times? Or should I not open a can of worms?

DaveM2 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 12:28 am

What I would like to know first off is what condition the Buffalo is in, has anybody actually surveyed the wreck to see if it is structurally sound and won't turn to dust as soon as it breaks the surface? It is in salt water and at a relatively shallow depth.

Dave

CorsairFreak · **Posted:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 7:21 pm

Col. Rohr wrote:

CorsairFreak wrote:

What is the whole TBD ordeal mentioned several times? Or should I not open a can of worms?

CF,

Best not open that can of worms can and will cause alot of old wounds on both sides to be open.

RER

Ok, I don't want to start that.

Dennis7423 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 7:37 pm

Guys-

You got the kid on board! I'm only 20 years old, don't own a warbird, but God do I love them. Thank my Grandfather for that on, he was a B-17 pilot and got me hooked! I also appreciate the Buffalo, and the hard work such a little and severely outclassed aircraft like it did for our country. Any way I can help, count me in!

-Dennis S.
Greeley, CO

Paul Krumrei · **Joined:** Sun Apr 03, 2005 11:06 pm **Posts:** 1757

Count me in, I will even post something on my website and place a banner on it.

If you like, I could make some sort of online petition form that people could sign and fill out and the data kept in a database for printing.

I am totally onboard with this.

Also, I know John Travolta is a pilot and I would try to get him to get on board. Morgan Sheppard owns a few aircraft as well.

Who knows, maybe someone can get this going. Also, Tom Hanks is a HUGE historian and helped with the WWII Memorial in D.C.

Anything that I can do to spread the word to get this bird!

Aircraft Mech Paul · **Posted:** Wed Jul 06, 2005 12:14 am

Forgotten Field wrote:

Paul,
I thought that would come up, and thanks for bringing it up. I think the better way is to pick this more obscure one which has been (according to Rob) identified to NHC as needing recovery, and needing to be placed in restoration due to its history. This is more of a first run/exercise to see what we can do as a group. Getting into the Devastator will only open old wounds, may perchance put the board into an un-winnable mix, and we will certainly run into other interested parties at some point. So let's focus on the F2A and see what we can do there, and then try for bigger fish. It might lead to some progress in other areas, such as the Devastator. But more so, it will give us a chance to collectively do what we can do. How does my logic seem to you? What are your thoughts?

Sir,

With respects, I meant no offense in mentioning the Devastator. I did not realize that "old wounds" as you put it would be opened once more. I agree with you, let us deal with what is in front of us at present. If the Buffalo can be ressurected, then I say go for it.

As to getting a celebrity involved. Paul Krumrei said it best and stole my line here <grin> John Travolta and especially Tom Hanks would be the likely best candidates. Although for sheer historic perspective, one might also consider Steven Spielberg, as Tom Hanks and Mr. Spielberg have collaborated on many historic film endeavors.

Just my thoughts,

Paul

Shay · **Posted:** Wed Jul 06, 2005 12:34 am

I'm onboard and willing to help in any capacity I can.

Shay

Semper Fortis

Dave Homewood · **Posted:** Wed Jul 06, 2005 1:49 am

What is the actual plan here?

If the Navy has looked into it and are not interested, but they own it and can prevent others recovering it and making money from it, what can anyone do? I assume your aim must be to persuade them to get off their arses and do something, and that WIX will assist them with manpower and fundraising - is that right?

As for celebrity warbird owners, there's also Tom Cruise and even better the wonderful Peter Jackson (who could make a documentary film about the recovery to raise funds and awareness! however, he's pretty busy though.)

Did any celebrities or actors have the misfortune of flying the Buffalo? What about Buffalo pilots themselves. Geoff Fisken of New Zealand flew them at Singapore and became the top ace of the Pacific for the RNZAF. He's still alive. There must be some US aces or known names who flew them.And probably Aussie, RAF and Finnish ones too.

airnutz · **Posted:** Wed Jul 06, 2005 3:33 am

Well, there were quite a few celebrities who had the "misfortune" to fly the
Buffalo in combat..but most of them died of old age! Must'a had something
to do with the weather, tactics, determination or skill...or a combination
thereof.

I tend to agree with DaveM2,she'll turn to "powder" on lifting. Her time has
passed....

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