Warbird Information Exchange

I think Lee is trying to make the point that although Warbird aficionados are part of the public, the public by and large are not Warbird aficionados. I have absolutely no data to backup my supposition however, my feeling is that he is correct. I'd be surprised if the majority of those who spend dollars at events that support these aircraft were warbird aficionados.

Many who attend have a passing interest in warbirds, and are possibly crossover automotive, military, patriotic, general aviation enthusiasts or just people looking for something different and interesting to do on a weekend. Even amongst the warbird aficionados it is only a subset of people who are paint scheme and marking connoisseurs. All that being said, there are probably a very small amount of people who spend their warbird dollars based on the variety and authenticity of warbird paint scheme and markings. While it may seem surprising to you or I, there are probably a remarkable number of people who might spend dollars based on the fact that "Diamond Lil" or "FiFi" are going to be there. This is because a lot of people actually enjoy consistency and familiarity. They remember that last year at the airshow their son thought FiFi was big, cool and he built a FiFi out of legos when he went home. It's something to identify with. It's really no different than Buzz Lightyear or Lightning McQueen. You put a name and a face on something and all of the sudden it stands out in your mind.

I submit to you the McDonald's case study. I think many will agree that most don't go to McDonalds because they are burger connoisseurs. They also don't go there because McDonald's is innovative, high quality, or better than other places that cost about the same. You'll also notice that many of McDonald's attempts to introduce new products fail, even know they may be healthier or higher quality than their other products. This is because there are a large amount of people out there who would rather eat something familiar and consistent even if that means consistently mediocre.

If everything was cut and dry and you simply had to follow a formula and support dollars would come rolling in it would be easy. Unfortunately, it's not a formula so these organizations have to try and figure it out. Lots of people spending warbird dollars don't know the difference between a B-52 and a B-25. I bet you a much higher percentage can make a distinction between "Diamond Lil" and "FiFi" even though they are both four engined propellor driven aircraft.

Ryan

I figured he was pointing his comments in that direction. Not a problem and I get it, but perhaps 'Idiots' is a bit strong. How about uninformed, uneducated on old airplanes or short on historical prowess. Sounds better IMHO. No one likes to be called an idiot, unless of course you are one ...

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

Ryan, you nailed it. That's exactly where I was going with that.
You only have to look at who's paying to see CAF or Collings aircraft when they visit a town. It always seemed clear to me that vast majority had just a passing interest and not serious airplane fans in the way most of the people here on this forum are.
When Collings would come through my hometown in Florida when i still lived there, I'd volunteer when I could and talked with many of the people coming to see the planes. A lot of them said they could see them from the road and just came over to see what was going on.
The diehard airplane fans were usually there when they came in and left, and would come in at the start or end of the display day to get photos with the fewest people in them.

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

...and if they are one they probably don't even know it yet At times I'm not even sure who the idiots are, it could be those of us who actually care about such things.

I think your getting 'idiot' confused with 'fool' ... or 'fool' confused with 'idiot' ...

Mark (the foolish idiot)

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

Hmmm.. It's coming to me , a..B-17F, in color,..That's it! " Idiots' Delight " ! That 's it ! Thanks Everybody !

_________________
WWI & WWII Warbird Fan.