Warbird Kid wrote:
warbird1 wrote:
Who says they're too dangerous? Where did that come from?
Poor choice of words on my part. I meant that the CF can't obtain an F-105 to fly due to government restrictions. Yet they've already obtained two vietnam era jets through congressional help and now have a third (Im assuming the sale for the F-100 was facilitated completely in the private sector since this was already a privately owned flyable warbird).
Im going to also assume that the TA-4, F-4, and F-100 are just as deadly as the F-105 (Strictly speaking in a combat scenario). Looking at it from the government's point of view: They see this organization (The Collings Foundation) operating WW II and Vietnam era aircraft in a safe and professional manner with a very long respectable track record. Since this organization is expanding there Vietnam collection and have already proved of being capable of operating 2 high profile former combat jets, and now just obtained a third, what would the holdup be to acquire an 105? Is there something Im missing that makes the Thunderchief more of a hazard to the government than what's already out there?
I don't think the Air Force/DOD really thinks they are too dangerous, that's just their "party line" they give to support their viewpoint. IF they honestly thought they were too dangerous or liable, they would immediately confiscate ALL ex-USAF jets. The Air Force/DOD just want control and power over their former assets. They don't like it when civilians can pilot/operate/display a high performance ex-USAF jet aircraft just as safely as they can. FWIW, I'm not aware of any Collings jet pilots who are checked out as PIC in any of their jets who were not militarily trained in aviation. In most cases, their pilots have a long history in the respective aircraft they fly.