Spitfire and Buchons for sale

[Matt Gunsch]

I flew with Tex in the TBM at Kenosha and he was smooth in it, and Carl had nothing but praise in him for the way he handled a T-6, so yeah, he was a good stick.

[Mark Allen M]

In spite of which, I once found some US gov't records online that showed that Connie "qualified" for and was paid a lot of money, maybe even hundreds of thousands of dollars or more, in federal farm/ranch subsidies over the years - i.e. out of our tax dollars - in support of his business interests unrelated to aviation. I guess when you have that kind of help from the government and other taxpayers, it is much easier to spend your own money on your own hobbies and toys.

Well if that is indeed accurate information, and FWIW not the first time I've heard similar such claims about the private business dealings of warbird owners (and none of my business for that matter), I can only state that my tax dollars have seen far worse uses. Point being if Edwards has been able to save a bunch of old airplanes that I selfishly claim to enjoy being still around, well more power to him in whatever way he's been able to purchase and keep them all this time. As long as he's not wading in illegal dealings with the way he acquired his assets, again more power to him. Better than multi-thousand dollar government toilet seats.

2 cents

[51fixer]

Farming has Govt programs. The are varied in purpose and are available to those who qualify. The farming they do is a business. And it is their business.
Bottom line is they have a piece of property. On it they have a private airport. They have farm land. They have some oil wells. And they have a quarry.
Sounds like they are effectively using their resources.
It's Texas, nothing unusual about any of it down there.

[Kyleb]

In spite of which, I once found some US gov't records online that showed that Connie "qualified" for and was paid a lot of money, maybe even hundreds of thousands of dollars or more, in federal farm/ranch subsidies over the years - i.e. out of our tax dollars - in support of his business interests unrelated to aviation. I guess when you have that kind of help from the government and other taxpayers, it is much easier to spend your own money on your own hobbies and toys.

Don't take this as a flame, it isn't intended that way, but I wouldn't post a statement like that unless I could provide a link to the information. Even then, I'd be hesitant to do so unless it added warbird related content.

[Cvairwerks]

Connie is a very astute businessman and has prospered because of it. He could easily afford a new Lear or Citation as often as most people change cars. Ag subsidies given out by the government are based on what you do with the land and are not tied to the owners wealth.

[Taylor Stevenson]

He frankly doesn't come off like a very nice person in that video.

Connie's one of the best and most genuine members of the warbird community. The Edwards are very kind and generous folks.

Can't remember a single nice thing he said about anyone in that video other than about himself or his son, who was apparently God's gift to aviation...no disrespect to the deceased intended.

Tex was God's gift to aviation. He could fly a taildragger better than anyone I've met.

I guess when you have that kind of help from the government and other taxpayers, it is much easier to spend your own money on your own hobbies and toys.

It's called farming...

[Obergrafeter]

Save your breath Taylor..................................we know the truth, and that is all that matters.

[Brad]

You can certainly tell the ones in this thread that have the good fortune of actually knowing the Edwards family and those that know nothing except what they read on the internet. Anybody that actually knows Connie or had the good luck of knowing Tex or his Uncle Bill will have nothing to say bad about any of them.

[JohnB]

It's Texas, nothing unusual about any of it down there.

There are farm subsidies even in Pennsylvania! Ask around.

I've lived in many places, I've found the Texans are good people...generally, honest and very true to their word.
I'd rather be stuck in an bad situation with Texans over most "city slickers" from back east.

If they get subsidies, they'll take them like anyone else...same way they'll cash their tax refund check.

In a collector car magazine there was an article telling folks how to reduce the capital gains tax you pay when you sell an expensive car for a profit.
Some "gentleman" wrote and said "How dare you help people cheat on their taxes".
Newsflash: it's not cheating if it's legal.
Same with the farm subsidies...
You'd be surprised how many members of congress (from both parties) get them along with various rich folks who happen to have farms and ranches.

BTW: I met Mr. Edwards years ago...he has other business ventures besides farming.

[Speeddemon651]

To be honest this week is the first time I've heard of Connie Edwards and his collection. I just about fell out of my chair at what he has stashed away in this video. No matter what anyone says about this gentlemen he's an ace in my book regardless. His life long commitment made to storing and preserving aviation history is flat out amazing end of story......

Shoot, the collection of planes he GAVE away is more than I would be able to afford in 5 lifetimes......

He could have been out robbing banks to do so and i would still applaud him.....Well.....Yup still would.

The warbird community is a rather small place and maybe he has rubbed a few people the wrong way ? Maybe he is the type of gentleman that you need to earn his respect before you jump in the ring. His lifetime commitment to aviation history speaks volumes about him and his character. Everyone has their quirks and their are more than a few warbird owners who refuse to do anything with the CAF for whatever their reasons may be. If this was my collection, I can promise you no one would be flying anything except me..... Okay co-pilot where applicable but you get the picture.

It's obvious this man was close to his son and he will never be able to replace that, but If the Edwards family was looking to adopt I'd be first in line...... just saying. SH!# I would scrub toilets just to be able to hang out there and possibly learn something.

[Mark Allen M]

those that know nothing except what they read on the internet.

I happen to be one of 'those' but I also happen to be one of those who doesn't pass judgement on those I've never dealt with or happen not to know personally. I've heard nothing but good stuff about the man for years. I think I'll stick with that.

I'm no farmer but I do know a small bit about horse ranches. Government farm subsidies are intricate and not just handed out easily. Again not my business and way off topic but if he is indeed receiving subsidies it's because (a) he qualifies (b) he earned it. Enough said by me on that nonsense.

Hopefully back to the interesting development regarding his airplanes.

[sam]

It's ok Taylor. Take a Deep Breath.

[Taylor Stevenson]

I'm used to taking them, Sam.

[Randy Wilson]

Sam - one of your best posts!

Randy

[Obergrafeter]

One of these days they need to make a movie about Connies life.......................if so I want to play the Taylor part!