cott wrote:
Why not?
Good question.
Because:
1. The
Musee de l'air's primary mandate is preservation, not operation.
3. They have a long backlog of significant aircraft awaiting restoration (like a B-17, Sunderland and, underway, a Lancaster) many of which are still outside and many of which are housed in inadequate buildings (the le Bourget fire was due in part to the poor repair the buildings were in)
plus they have a number of the main display buildings in need of refurbishment as well as the storage areas. All that needs money, and the amount that may come from the French side that goes to getting one aircraft flying would cover a lot more long term benefits for a much wider collection of aircraft in current need. (Of course it depends on where the funding's coming from. If The
Musee isn't providing any cash, fine, but see 1.)
Quote:
They got a Vulcan flying again, and it sat for longer than any of the Concorde airframes.
Not all of us are impressed by the management and achievement (in airshow and public display terms) of that project. Hats off to the engineers, workers and those that donated cash. Bang for the buck? Very poor. The continual pleading poverty by Plemming's people isn't good project management or PR, nevermind specifics. I treasure the memories of XH558 back in the day with the RAF when it always turned up and was flown with elan. That's gone.
Quote:
You at least have to admire their thought and spirit.
Not really, it's a waste of cash, IMHO. When BA pulled the plug, that was the end of the era. Playing at supersonic airliners is a very expensive bit of fun that proves nothing and has no educational value. That is, of course just my opinion, and I certainly like as much variety within my aviation as I can get. But I can tell daft when I see it too.
Quote:
It would sure be nice to see a Concorde land in Oshkosh again.
Sure. But sometimes things are simply over. This is one of those things.
Cheers!
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