WIX Archives

Re: Lay Off Already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Ryan Keough on Tue Feb 18, 2003 07:46:22 PM

In reply top Lay Off Already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! posted by Rob Rohr on Tue Feb 18, 2003 06:10:10 PM

I completely agree with Rob and have something to add...

Though we warbird enthusiasts would be happy to be given a hangar full of historic and rare aircraft perfectly preserved attached to a busy-body active restoration workshop to browse through to our hearts content, we sometimes forget how dreadfully boring it can be to the public, and moreover, children. I remember all of the horse and carriage museums that my parents took me to when I was young and I never got excited about that. It took the unique opportunity to sit in the B-17 "Fuddy Duddy" during and engine run and the chance to "fly" an old Link trainer at the National Warplane Museum that turned my childish attention span onto warbirds... it was the "hands on approach".

Though we may be critical of his restoration intentions, Kermit has done what very few other collectors have done to attract these warplane "neophytes" to his halls... he has worked on building a theme-park-like infrastructure with such exhibits like the walk through B-17 or the air combat simulators. He is trying his best to make it look exciting to the public so they may be enticed to learn more. I think it is highly commendable to look at what he has done so far and what he plans on doing.

Sure, it pains me to see the B-24 sit there and seemingly rot away, or to see the B-26 sit in the hangar with no-where to go. However, I think this policy may actually be saving these planes instead of hurting them. We have seen way too many museums that are intent on making a flying fleet of spotless warbirds but spend little on the actual "museum interactive display" portion of the project fold up and disappear. The lack of a proper Master Plan outlining the goals far beyond the aircraft is something that is critical, yet never seems to go beyond the planning stages.

We are always quick to jump on the case of our benevolent benefactors of the warbird community for not doing enough beyond what they have already done... they have already decided that these aircraft should be preserved, and if they have to wait in line before being restored... so be it. Though we can make arguments that their storage only allows them to deteriorate more, the fact is that the first and most crucial step has been taken... they are no longer slated for destruction or abandonment.

Like any organization, civil or military, we know that when you put money into one sector you must take it away from the other. Surely we wouldn't want to see Kermit spend millions on restoring everything all at once only to have the piggy bank break or have the actual display venue "go under" from lack of "attraction".

I give him a heck of a lot of credit in the fact that he is trying to build a great facility WHILE still keeping a flying focus. We can all point to facilities that are excellent in terms of display, decoration, and interpretation (Museum of Flying-Seattle, USAFM, NASM-Udvar/Hazy) but find us one that continues to fly their aircraft frequently... only CWH-Hamilton comes to mind, and they seem to be backing away from the flying element these days.

Sorry to make this long... just my .02

PS: The Collings Foundation's B-17 and B-24 will be at Fantasy of Flight from March 14 through 16... one of the few places where you can take a flight in either off of grass! I, for one, will be there! (bought my airline tix today in fact).



: Anothe is Anothe already Kermit is one of the few Warbird
: owners who first let you to see how work is proceding and
: two is always looking to preserve an aircraft be it pittin
: g it in storage till the time is right or displaying it ei
: ther as is or flying. I would like to see Mr. Allen do tha
: t.
:
: Plus were else can you see avast collection of aircraft.
:
: Let me remine everyone that Kermit was the one who Saved t
: he Sund. from being scrapped put the B-26 back into the ai
: r.
:
: So get off his and his staffs back un-less you think you c
: an do better.
:
: Cheers Rob

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