Warbird Information Exchange

I'm bored so I thought I'd ask a random question. What is the general appearance fee or contract for a B-17 or B-24? Do they waive the fee if it is static display only or what?

Thanks

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"Keep 'em Flying!"

$6,000

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Michael Luther
Yankee Air Museum's
Air Show Director
THUNDER OVER MICHIGAN

That is a very interesting question. I am wanting to try and put together a bigger than usual airshow in the Vancouver-ish area and have always wondered what it would take to lure a B-17 or similar up this way. I'd like to have something like the Abbotsford Airshow, but with more warbirds and less jet fighters.

I remember a few times in the past there was a CAF B-17 and He-111 that came up; once to Vancouver International Airport and once to Boundary Bay Airport.

My plan is in the early stages, or better said, dreamer stages. I'd want the airshow to be at Boundary Bay Airport, but was wondering how far planes from the USA would be willing to fly to get here.

Are there warbirds that do continental tours that could hop up to Vancouver on their rounds?

Thanks,

David

I should leave this to Gary or Rick but I thought I'de throw in and warn you to be prepared A B-17 or B-24 is really a one of a kind aircraft and they are not cheap to fuel, oil and care for on the road. If you are serious about it, think about trying to find another show or two in the area within a month or two of you to see if you could book three stops in a region and that helps reduce the cost for all of you. Plus it helps whoever is operating the plane make the money to care for it!

Tom P.
(wendover air show coordinator)

One thing that I would add to Mike Luthers comment... it's $6000 for the appearance fee for each, but additionally there is usually one or more of the following required too:

-Inbound and outbound fuel provided by show
-55 gal 25w30 X/C Oil or Aeroshell 120w
-Three hotel rooms for each plane (double occupancy)
-One crew vehicle per airplane

It is a given that the show must provide fuel for any display flights that are made during the show as well... some operators will also require a "per flight" fee added for any of these flights as well.

There are still some operators that will not ask for everything above, but it is quickly becoming a standard. As aviation insurance costs rise for large aircraft like this, you can bet the requirements will as well.

David: If you are considering trying to get a touring group North of the border, one thing that will help grease the wheels is seeing how an American B-17 with an Exemption Letter from our FAA allowing the plane to offer "flight experiences" can operate and perform the same operation in Canada. Transport Canada has always given considerable resistance to this, yet it is the only way many US bombers can make a trip over the border economically feasible.

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Ryan Keough
Stow, MA

Thanks for all the info guys,

Like I said my airshow idea is simply in the infancy stages and it hinges on a few things.

My idea is to have a warbird fly-in. I know there are some local-ish warbird and vintage airplanes that could probably show up from the Seattle/Vancouver area, but there are no "big planes" (like B-17's or B-24's) to impress the crowds like there are further south and much further east.

I get so jealous looking at pictures from airshows on the East Coast because there are so so many warbirds! but even at the Abbotsford Airshow, or the Arlington Airshow there is such a limited selection of warbirds. I'd like to change that with a pretty cool show out West.

I guess it has a lot to do with population density. I bet the New York Area could easily have airshows with several B-17's, B-25's, Spits, Mustangs, etc. And the planes would all be within an hours flying time to get there.

Maybe I'm ignorant, but that's what it seems like from this coast.

If anyone has experience with how airshows are put together I'd love to hear suggestions.

And let me say again, that this is just a dream, but it sure is fun fueling it.

Cheers,

David

David,

Start off with the local warbirds that you can get to come for some gas and lunch. Thats how we started 8 years ago.

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Michael Luther
Yankee Air Museum's
Air Show Director
THUNDER OVER MICHIGAN

Hi Michael,

Thank you for your suggestion. That is probably the best path to take.

I appreciate your help.

David, I'm not sure I'm the one to tell you what it would cost to get our B-24 to your show, but you could contact Mack Deeds, who is currently one of the guys who is setting up appearances for us. His e-mail is B24pilot@chartermi.net if you're interested in discussing this with him. We have done a couple of years of "East of the Mississippi" stops, and I would assume that we're going to mix it up a bit this year, but I simply don't know. Mack could tell you if we're going to be in your neck of the woods around the time of your show.

Gary Austin