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Champlin rumours and innuendo!

Posted by Chad Veich on Thu Oct 09, 2003 05:42:56 PM

I dropped by Champlin today to look around and spoke with a gentleman from Gosshawk Aviation. All aircraft have now left Champlin save for the P-47, Hispano, Spitfire, and the various Migs in the collection. As the pic below shows, the Jug will be leaving probably today or tomorrow I imagine. The Hispano is disassembled and ready to be packed up. The Spitfire on the other hand is still all in one piece. Rumour is that the MoF are looking for a buyer although the legality of that is in question. Apparently, part of the deal for the sale was that the collection was not to be broken up. Time will tell I suppose. No solid plan for the jets as of yet. The MoF were considering trucking some of their jets down to Mesa to establish an all jet museum in place of the Champlin collection. However, there is some speculation as to whether the MoF is interested enough in that idea to raise the money to transport the aircraft. The three of Champlin's P-63 Kingcobra airframes are stored and, for the time being at least, there is no plan for them. Originally Champlin wanted to combine the three wrecks into two static examples but, with the sale of the museum, he no longer has need of static airplanes! Apparently all three are corroded enough to be considered beyond restoration to flyable condition but we've all heard that before. Again, time will tell. Finally, the 190D is looking alot like an airplane finally. Gosshawk speculates that the engine will be hung some time next week and then on to wiring. Mr. Champlin is still having the airplane completed to airworthy standards despite the fact that he has stated it is too rare to risk to flight. At least while he owns it! Plans are for the airplane to be loaned to the MoF and it will probably be joining its' stablemates in Seattle within the first three months of 2004.(we all know how often those schedules are maintained!) There you have it, take it for what it's worth. Regards, Chad Veich.

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