Archive for December, 2006
Guns For Diamond Lil Fund
December 31, 2006 11:03 am
The Commemorative Air Force’s B-24A/LB-30 Liberator Diamond Lil is in the process of returning to it’s original B-24A configuration. A running thread on the subject can be found on the Warbird Information Exchange here Gary Austin of the CAF is responsible for performing this conversion and has been generous with his time by providing a detailed overview of every major step completed so far. (if you want to catch up quickly, a archive has been created here. With her conversion back to bomber configuration she is in need or armament. While her replica bombs have been acquired, she is in need of 5 replica .50 machine guns. These replicas cost roughly $900 each. One has been acquired by the CAF and 2 more have been funded by members of the Warbird Information Exchange. A fourth replica is halfway to being fully funded. But that still leave at least one and a half replicas that needs funding. If you would like to help then check out this thread and make a donation. All amounts are welcome.
Posted by: Scott WRG Editor
Palm Springs Air Museum Honors The Passing of Fmr. President Ford
December 29, 2006 7:00 pm
In 1999 the Palm Springs Air Museum dedicated a star on their walk of fame to long time local resident Former President Gerald Ford. Yesterday, the museum bid a heartfelt farewell to President Ford after his passing on December 26th. WZZM News 13 of Grand Rapids, MI reported today on the ceremony at the museum which included a memorial flyover of the Bell P-63 Kingcobra operated by the museum.
Many other memorial ceremonies have been planned over the coming week and Tuesday, January 2nd has been declared a National Day of Mourning for the US.
Posted by Ryan Keough
Photo by Ernie Viskupic / Wingman Photography
If you are going to be in Florida in January and February, you may want to check out the Wings of Freedom Tour of the B-17 Flying Fortress “Nine O Nine” and B-24 Liberator “Witchcraft” as they tour to various cities. The B-25 Mitchell “Tondelayo” will join the two other bombers in late February and the tour will continue as a three ship tour through the Southwest. Flights are available in the bombers at each location.See the tour schedule so far at the Collings Foundation website.
Posted by Ryan Keough
This bulletin was sent to us today… please read and help the QAM.
Quonset Air Museum is at risk of being shut down for safety reasons and we need your help. Effective Jan 1st, 2007, the museum is closing to the general public until spring for repairs. We cannot reopen to the public until these repairs have been completed. The immediate concern is damage to the roof and ceiling inside the hangar. These repairs will commence shortly after the start of the New Year and will be lead by our volunteers.
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Sun ‘n Fun to Open Warbird Line to General Public This Year
December 28, 2006 11:44 amThe Lakeland Ledger Online reports today that the management at the Sun ‘n Fun Fly-in and Airshow in Lakeland, FL have decided to improve the experience for the public at this years event in April. The warbird flight line, along with many other areas on the flightline, will now be open to the general public and will give attendees more of an up close and personal experience at the event.
The Sun ‘n Fun Fly-in and Airshow 2007 will occur this year April 17-23.
Posted by Ryan Keough
Photo by Michael Wilson / The Ledger
Wings of Eagles Back in the News
December 27, 2006 7:36 am
The Wings of Eagles Discovery Center (former National Warplane Museum) in Elmira, NY is back in the news today in an article in the Elmira Star-Gazette. The museum, made famous for its world class airshows in the 80s and 90s and its flying warbird fleet, fell on hard times within the past few years after losses stemming from poor airshow and museum attendence. The eventual result of these losses was the sale of it’s B-17 Flying Fortress “Fuddy Duddy”, Consolidated PBY-6A Catalina, and Beech C-45.
In the article today, a plan for the future is outlined for the museum which includes a greater focus on space exploration exhibits and incorporation of the glider school formerly based at the Schweitzer factory on the other side of the airport.
There was no mention of rebuilding the Wings of Eagles Airshows, so it can be assumed that the museum is plotting a course with far less of an emphasis on warbirds than science for the future.
Posted by Ryan Keough
B-24D Restoration at Hill AFB Reaching Milestones
December 26, 2006 8:16 pm
An update this month from Hill AFB comes to us via WIX - The Warbird Information Xchange about the ambitious B-24D static restoration there.
The restored fuselage arrived in 2002 and has been on display since then. In November the restored wings arrived and photos are posted to the restoration page on the Hill Aerospace Museum website.
The museum hopes to complete assembly of the aircraft this year.
See the WIX forum “Hill AFB B-24D Restoration Update” topic here.
Posted by Ryan Keough
As mentioned in an earlier article, the Glenn L. Martin Museum based at Martin State Airport in Maryland are seeking to raise funds to acquire one of the last Martin Mars flying boats from TimberWest of Vancouver, B.C.
The bidding ends on January 31st, 2007, so the timeframe to raise funds is very short. Hopefully word will get out and help!
Dan Rodricks of the Baltimore Sun showed support with this editorial this past week (December 17).
The Baltimore Examiner also shows some support with an article from December 19th.
As always, please visit the Martin Mars page at the Glenn L. Martin Museum to show your support.
Posted by Ryan Keough
There’s some press today in the Las Cruces Sun-News about the little-known War Eagles Air Museum in New Mexico. Though the museum is a bit out of the way, it has a collection that can be envied by any mainstream museum out there.
Created from the collection of the late John MacGuire and Betty MacGuire, the museum has an outstanding collection and a terrific facility. It is well worth a visit if you are ever out in the El Paso area.
The article talks about using the facility as a unique venue for events… so if you are planning a shin-dig in the near future, make sure to put the museum on your list!
Check it out at: http://www.war-eagles-air-museum.com
Posted by Ryan Keough
P-51D Down in Rexburg, ID
December 22, 2006 12:23 pm
Yesterday (Thursday) the unfortunate news of the crash of North American P-51D Mustang N252RM on Highway 20 in Rexburg, ID was brought to our attention. Thankfully John Bagley, the pilot, was not significantly injured in the crash and escaped wit cuts and bruises.
It was reported that the engine failed immediately after departure and left Bagley with no other option than to attempt to land it in the median of the highway. As seen in news footage, the damage is extensive, but time will tell if this aircraft will become a candidate for restoration.
See more on the crash from KIFI Local News 8 in Idaho Falls here including video.
Read more about the plane involved at the Warbird Registry listing here.
Posted by Ryan Keough
