WIX Archives
Finally, someone touched on what I have always felt
Posted by Karen on Sun Jun 16, 2002 06:26:14 PM
In reply top Re: 'Real' or 'Genuine' posted by david J burke on Sun Jun 16, 2002 05:37:19 PM
I agree with you! The arguement over what constitutes, "real", "genuine", "replica", etc..., will never be solved, but the one fact that remains is what these planes represent! That to me, is the most important issue.
If someone came to me and said they wanted to create an exact reproduction of my Uncle Dean's P-51, and asked me to give them a piece from the wreckage, I would be overjoyed. Although, just one tiny piece of the plane would be genuine, to be able to stand next to something that my Uncle so dearly loved, and gave up his life in, would mean so very much, that for my family it would not matter how much was original, just that something was.
There are so very many stories like Dean's, that it should never be forgotten that many of these planes are responsible for our freedom, and that many a good man gave their lives in them.
Some Warbird owners choose to to modify their planes, because they paid for them, because it is more profitable, because no one can stop them from doing so, and because the government doesn't care. Which brings me back to my original feeling on this.
Whether you are recreating, rebuilding, or restoring a warbird, it is more than a piece of property.... it is a piece of history. It deserves to be treated with respect. If you can afford to own one, then you should stay true to its history. All the men who flew these planes in WWII deserve that much.
Karen