Why are most US warbird operators based on the west coast?

[RacingMustang]

Why are most large US warbird operators and museums based on the west coast?

I'm sure I'm not the only one to notice this. Most of the Reno race teams are based in CA, and the large museums are in CA and WA. Is it just because of the whole industry that grew up in Chino, or is there a larger reason they're based there? (Money, weather, regs/laws/taxes, etc).

Or am I totally wrong?

[hang the expense]

That was the case back in the day but its starting to change regardless of the weather out there.

[Fight2FlyPhoto]

I'd like to think something like a lack of hurricanes, tornadoes, and other seasonal severe storms have something to do with it. All we have to worry about is the occasional earthquake and volcano eruption every hundred years. :-p

[whistlingdeath77]

Weather and the bone yards located in the west would be the best guess

[P51Mstg]

They are rapidly moving to Texas now, but the answers above are fairly accurate...

Mark H

[SaxMan]

I'm thinking:

1. Weather
2. Weather
3. Weather
4. Weather
5. The number of aircraft factories, particularly in Southern CA "back in the day". Restoring and operating warbirds takes people who have experience working on such planes. People get that kind of experience working for aircraft companies
6. Same as #5, but with the existence of large military bases also furnishing a great number of people with experience working on aircraft.

I think now that 5 and 6 are becoming less of a factor is why you are seeing operators beginning to spring up in other parts of the country. The mid-atlantic region (PA-MD-VA) was definitely on the rise until Yagen began having difficulties. It still is a pretty good area, particularly in the static department, as anyplace that houses the NASM is going to be close to the top of the list.

[Jerry O'Neill]

They are the guys with the money.
Computers + good weather=planes.
Jerry

[K5DH]

Not all of the big collections are on the west coast:

Kermit Weeks -- FL
Jerry Yagen -- VA
Rod Lewis -- TX
Jim Cavanaugh -- TX
Friedkin Family -- TX

I'm sure there are others that I can't think of at the moment.

[Dan Jones]

Not all of the big collections are on the west coast:

Kermit Weeks -- FL
Jerry Yagen -- VA
Rod Lewis -- TX
Jim Cavanaugh -- TX
Friedkin Family -- TX

I'm sure there are others that I can't think of at the moment.

Air Zoo - Michigan
Yankee Air Museum - Michigan
EAA - Wisconsin

[Jack Cook]

Instead of some deep complex answer some how related to global warming
look for a far simpler reason. It's were they live! Sessons and Allen are in Seattle
has is MOF. Jack Erickson and Smith/Evergreen are Oregonians. Bob Pond was in
MN but moved to Palm Springs. Guess what he took with him?! The truth is that
there are warbird museums and collections everywhere. This is in addition to the
single operators doing it on their own. These are the guys that I like the best!!!

[51fixer]

Roush has 2 P-51s based in MI
JB has Spit, 2 SNJ, and P-51 in PA.

They are scattered all over the country as far as operators go.
If you go to shows most are going to come from that area. Your not going to see east coast warbirds at most west coast shows or vice versa.
There are traveling groups that tour the country that defy the above premiss.
A few shows, such as Sun and Fun and Oshkosh are a bit different for the warbirds that will attend.

It depends on who the money people are as to where it gets established. If Paul Allen lived in Des Moines Iowa then I'm sure that is where his collection would be based. So I don't kno how much the climate is a factor other than that where someone chose to live.

As far as Reno goes, for an east coast P-51 to attend then your looking at $6000 or so of fuel costs to go one way. So spending 12 grand just to make an appearance plus putting 15 hrs of time on you motor commuting is a big negative for putting in an appearance based on what they pay out for the bottom bracket racers.

[whistlingdeath77]

Wish I had money.....

[navion91104]

MONEY


------------------------------------------------------------
Vosburgh Airfield, P.O. Box 207, New Cuyama, CA 93254
jason.vosburgh@vosburghairfield.com

http://www.airnav.com/airport/5CN4

http://www.VosburghAirfield.com

[whistlingdeath77]

Wish I had real money delivered! Think I'd buy a a-26

[Flyin Illini]

What about Rudy Frasca in illinois? He has a 5 blade spit, P-40, wildcat, FW190, Fiat G46 special, t-6, t-34, chipmunks, he had a mock t-6 zero (not sure if he still has it).

1)Warbird heritage foundation has quite a few in illinois: F-86, T-2, A-4, P-51, Skyraider,
2)Guys in TN have two p-47s, skyraider and a few other could be flyer.
3)The World Heritage Jet Museum in Michigan have rapidly expanded: Pinto, Mig-15, HA200 Saeta, Mig-17, Vampire

4) Museum in Ohio has a P-51, P-40 and B-25
5) Collings Foundation is East and south coast.


Thats all i can think of not listed yet.