Warbird Information Exchange

Brad posted so I can too!
I don't have a dog in this fight so what goes down with the CAF won't cause me to lose any sleep.
But, it seems to me that what's done is done so if you really want it to succeed and prosper put your disappointment behind you, quit arguing and start working has a team.

Not a right a but privlege he earned by dedication and hard work! That's what his moniker tells me! Like Brad said anyone can join the sqd, put the time and effort in and go fly!
I didn't get 250 hours in the B-25 by sticking my thumb out has she taxied by!

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Don't touch my junk!!

b29flteng, I agree wholeheartedly with you that aircraft on tour do the "best" version of public outreach than any airshow the CAF holds.

I should know - I've spent the past 25 years as a paid professional in Education and Public Outreach/museum education. The more people that see the CAF aircraft the better. That's what has made the CAF unique more than any other museum. We take our "artifacts" out the public.

And I would love to join the B-29/24 Squadron and yes, join you on the tour. That is if I could.

Unfortunately, in the past 5 years I've had to pick up the reins so to speak on the Messerschmitt restoration since my father's passing. As such, I give a lot of time to our sponsor Gruppe working to not only fundraise, but to insure that the bills are paid, work on the continuing maintenance issues we have on the airplane and build up our sponsor group. In the past few years, I've also had to deal with the unexpected death of my brother (a mulit-sponsor) and take on the responsibility of caretaking of my 81-year old mother (also a multi-sponsor). I also have a full-time plus career that keeps me away from the airport and the CAF.

My only "true" vacation (this year) was to spend 7 days this year working 12 hour days at Airshow in Midland on the ramp.

I realize Airshow in Midland has never been the Harlingen show we used to have. I know, I'm the "fuel lady" and the amount of fuel we dispense is minimal compared to Harlingen. We used to pump about 30,000 gallons of avgas in Harlingen compared to about 7,500 gallons just this past year. Sad, but true.

Yes Shep - I've been quite passionate on this subject. Hell, my whole life has been affected by the CAF since I was 16. Airshows, Fly-ins, the restoration of the airplane have all taken precedence over family events (birthdays, graduations, holidays) in my family. We took on multiple restoration projects, invested cash and have all at one time or the other working in volunteer positions (wing leader, PIO Officer, Finance Officer, etc.) within the NM Wing. We dug B-29 parts (windows) out of the desert, so that the B29/24 Squadron had spares. I have personally put in thousands of hours and thousands of dollars into the CAF.

As someone that has several years of non-profit organizational management under my belt, I too know how difficult it is to deal with membership issues, growth and change of an organization. It's tough stuff.

I'm not saying that things don't have to change fellas. Not at all. I just don't like change that is made by a 2-3 vote difference. I don't like a personal motive driving the organization instead of a membership motive changing things. I'm just "not convinced" that the CAF's now planned move is what is BEST for the organization. Take all personalities out of this equation. Is it truly what is best for the CAF?

I hear things like Midland and Odessa aren't supporting the CAF and that is just false. Midland/Odessa came up with millions to bring us to their communities. They are one of the hottest areas of the country right now economically. Which is also why we've had to pay so dearly for a motel room. I also think there have been other folks in Midland and Odessa that were never "tapped" by the CAF for their philanthropic dollars. Even then, all they see is an organization in constant upheaval.

This open argument hasn't helped that cause. I understand that. And I feel bad that I continue to "fight" for what now appears to be a "dead issue."

The amount of dollars that will be needed to be spent to re-open in the new location (at least to me) seem to be wasted dollars. Instead of paying for a move, I'd much prefer that donor dollars were being put into the airplanes of the CAF. The move is supposedly supposed to be "just offices." But every time we discuss this, we keep talking about bringing in tourism dollars (For what? To see Steve Brown's office?)

Millions were spent on building the infrastructure (CAF HQ, the Museum, the Commemorative Center, the Maintenance Hangar, the Memorial Garden and the Parts Depot) in Midland. We finally have an O'Club and we are willing to just "leave it" so that we can build again.

Sorry, I'm not an "empire builder" that embraces these types of expenditures when the organization has a tough enough time coming up with fuel/maintenance/insurance money all the times. I'd rather be gung-ho trying to reduce the expense of the ANUAC funds each unit has to come up with. I'd work on ways that it wasn't so darn expensive to insure our airplanes. I'd work on actually fundraising and getting the development funds necessary to operate the organization. Instead, we go after "brick and mortar money" to start all over.

We've been in Midland just over 20 years. In the 20 years we've been in West Texas (and despite the millions invested into it) the CAF in Midland still (to this day) doesn't have the infrastructure we had in Harlingen. As such, I see this move as being a step backward, instead of forward.

Ultimately, the responsibility now rests with the CAF General Staff since we've given them the decision making authority. I've never been too keen about giving a membership responsibility over to 9 of 11 people. It is a member owned organization after all.

And investment/move like this takes tremendous effort. I just am not convinced the organization can survive this move. As such, fear breaks in and protectionism of what we have becomes paramount.

We just celebrated 50 years of airshow. I'm not convinced that this move will lend itself to another 50 years of the CAF.

Very nicely written.

Old Shep

What happened to all the oil money that used to flow into the CAF? I know many of the original guys passed away. How many billionaires are there in Texas now? The recruitment of Heavy hitters, Superstars, Elvis's, or whatever you want to call those types has fallen behind. It does take cubic dollars to make big things happen. Isn't there a sayin in Texas "All hat and no cattle." I'm an outsider but to me, there are several areas where gangrene has set in on the organization.

If the move is for the better then so be it. It's the jobs of the volunteers to work and help make the organization better.

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Shop the Airplane Bunker At
www.warbirdbunker.com

I sincerely hope you CAFers find a piece of mind soon, accept your vote results and move on. I'm beginning to feel your organization has bigger problems with it's public descention among the ranks as it does with a move out of Midland TX. Maybe it's just me but to read the bickering and bitterness going on certainly doesn't help with recruiting of new members IMHO. If I were to consider joining the CAF I would certainly want to be reading what is good about the organization and not what's wrong with it. Especially here on WIX wouldn't you think? (Of course now on further thought maybe I do want to hear about what is wrong when making a decision to join, shame but a fact I guess)

I'd be nice to read some positive feedback regarding the potential future of the CAF. I've always liked the organization, just never found a good enough reason to join. And the bitterness I've been reading is certainly not helping with the thought of joining. But that's just me.

I understand the frustration completely, but to express it here doesn't seem the right place IMO. Not all of us are CAF members and more than one person may be thinking of becoming a member. I would think holding back the negative stuff would be a good Recruitment move.

A pretty poor 2 cents

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“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

And there is this comment there's no money in Midland. See: http://www.mrt.com/business/article_da7 ... f887a.html

So what's your point? just because there's oil money in Midland doesn't necessarily mean that money is going to the CAF. Oil money in Midland doesn't bring tourists to Midland. There's nothing to go to Midland for unless you like to drive for hours and hours out to no where. I've been to Midland for your Airsho once and once only. Just too far to drive period. There's nothing there to see!, nothing there for tourists to see. It's not even a stop along the way to see something.

I'm NOT trying to bash your enthusiasm and passion for the CAF to stay in Midland even though it's getting old. It's quite honorable on your part to keep the faith, but explain to me why I would want to continue to go to Midland TX to see your museum and airshow. I love the old airplanes as much as anyone, but not enough to travel for hours to the middle of no where. There's many other places I can go that have so much more to offer (as well as the warbirds)

There's a reason why your superiors are moving out of Midland and it seems to be coming more and more clear. Your CAF is dying there in Midland and it's becoming obvious.

I will though give you the benefit of the doubt, so please explain to a non-member, or even a member, what's so great about the CAF staying located in Midland TX. And please don't use the "if you have the passion for warbirds as we do, you'd know why" thing, and the stabbing the folks of Midland in the back for moving away excuse is not what I'm looking for. Tell me why you think it's a great place for the CAF to stay.

Sorry, not trying to be harsh or mean, just want to hear your pros for staying in Midland.

Mark

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“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

I am not for staying in Midland. Period. But the way moving was handled is shameful. Don't tell me about the 75%.................if it was 51% required I would feel the same way. Just wasn't an up and up election.
As for the money issue, the CAF is probably a victim of its' own success. Yes there is a lot of money in Texas but those billionaires that have an interest in aviation have the means and do have their own air force. This coupled with a public that is rapidly loosing interest in our passion is probably the main reason for the downfall of our CAF.

Rare for me to even sort of agree with Ober, but much of his last sentence is true....the public is losing interest, in aviation, in history, in anything that doesn't have electrons flying all over a screen. I'm not sure the CAF is headed for a downfall....I think the election was perfectly legit....As for the rest...any resemblance to the roll-out of Obamacare and the move is....well, you get the drift.

Mark, I really like your posts with rare pictures, and your other comments show you are a thoughtful person, so I'll assume that you have not been to that tourist Mecca called Oshkosh, which is a long long drive from CA, with nothing to see along the way except adult video stores (winters are cold there I know, but so many stores???). I will expect to see you at a CAF show in (my bet only) McKinney Texas, which is much easier to get to than Midland....except for the traffic, the "joy" of flying in and out of DFW or Dallas Love, etc, etc.

The key to rekindling interest in the CAF is to tour more of the airplanes (a la the Collins people) and not build another Midland facility in the Metroplex, or even in Hondo, Ober. No matter where the CAF moved to (from Harlingen), San Antonio, Memphis, Tulsa, or Anahiem, the same decline in numbers and interest would exist. Why stay in Midland? Midland exists, is paid for, has the museum, and could have tapped into all that oil money, that would be reason to stay, but a "National Airbase" might elevate awareness in the organization, and an "edu-tainment" facility might promote the admirable educational goals of the organization. Too late now to whine about it: I'll be working hard to make sure that Midland becomes Airbase West Texas, with community support, and that the new Museum renovations make it a more vibrant attraction for all the rest of my brother redneck oilfield trash.

Just my opinion....

Old Shep

Phew! that was close, I was waiting for the ... 'but' part lol ... glad you like the photos, as for the thoughtful stuff? still a work in progress even after all these years, but I guess I do have my moments . Thank God I no longer drink or all of you would be in some real trouble

As for Oshkosh I grew up in Northern Michigan and spent many an Oshkosh sleeping under my dad's Globe Swift wing so I know "middle of no where" quite well. Don't recall too many adult video stores but luckily I wasn't looking for any either lol. (As far as you know) lol

I'm sure I'll make a visit to another CAF show down the road regardless of where it is, I've been known to stop by a few Camarillo SoCal wing shows, does that count? It better because even though I'm not a CAF member that didn't stop me from a bit of financial support towards that Hellcat of yours my dad "allegedly" flew a few times. Yah! Yah! Lets not go there again as we all know good ole 70222 isn't really 70222.

As for McKinney or wherever else you folks may relocate. I would perhaps embrace the traffic and flying congestion and notch it up as due to higher attendance, after all I would assume 9 out of 10 people who attend your show drive there as opposed to fly there. High traffic volume is usually a good thing for any event success IMO.

One thing I will agree completely and that is the idea of taking your assets to the people as opposed to assuming the people will come to your assets. Problem is those assets are very expensive to move and maintain. But I have faith you folks will figure it all out ... And survive

... Just some morning rambling ...

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“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

All other arguments aside, Old Shep makes the best point in all of this discussion. Midland is already paid for!

I really don't want to continue debate on this. But every time I see the "Midland doesn't have the money" argument. Or some other false statement like this, I think that there should be facts to support the argument. Thus my continued postings.

You put verified fact out there - then there really isn't any argument to discuss. You put hearsay out to the troops - it just brings up the ire and discontentment.

Needless, Happy Thanksgiving you all.

The bottom line is that many other hobby-related history-based organizations are feeling the pinch as well. One I'm familiar with (and it's way bigger than the CAF will ever be by membership numbers) just agreed to sell it's national HQ building and isn't looking to build another. Coupled with a nasty downturn in the economy and groups like this being the first thing cut from household bidgets in tight times, many organizations are in a similar position now. Lots of bandwidth is being devoted to musing on if _______'s days are numbered or not.

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Life member, 91st BG Memorial Association
Owner, 1944 Willys MB #366014
Former REMF (US Army, O3)

Ray Croc founder of McDonald's used to say "YOU have to stay green like a plant/ Continue to grow and change or die." The original walk up window is long gone and now they have Wi-Fi and indoor playgrounds, frappe' etc. THe EAA had a Strategic Planning Consultant meet with the Directors back in the early 1990's and their organization changed directions on several areas and has continued to do well. Hopefully the CAF is doing the same thing.
My hat is off to those trying to make a difference. Maybe they need to shift how the assets are allocated, and maybe even sell or trde some flyable aircraft to buy other flyable aircraft if that will generate more interest and income.
On a much smaller scale, The Hagerstown Aviation Museum seems to be doing a lot of things right. In recent years they have raised money to buy a C-82 Packet and flew it home. And accepted a donation of a C-119 Boxcar which has been flown home and are preparing to fly home a C-123 Provider soon. They also have had 3 Fairchild PT-19s donated a couple Fairchild 24'd s and a flyable Staggerwing was donated (since groundlooped.) An out of annual T-6G was donated , too.
I'm a member of their organization and have never been to their museum. If I were in the CAF leadership, I'd go spend a few days plus a weekend there and figure out how they are able to do so many good things for such a small organization.

I for one am hoping that this eventually turns out well for the CAF. I fly over weekly and rarely see anything that encourages me that there is a lot of sustaining visiting going on.

Ryan

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Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.