WIX Archives

Re: World's Top Warbird collection

Posted by Joe Scheil on Thu Dec 20, 2001 12:34:05 AM

In reply top World's Top Five Warbird (airworthy)collections posted by Paul on Wed Dec 19, 2001 12:03:11 PM

Its very hard to find a top Five, but the top collection in the world is also the most significant. In fact it is unusual as it was/is the private collection of an individual who collected the majority of the artifacts before it was "cool". This collection, with the exception of the forming of the CAF, has contributed or spawned in some way every other collection of significance Worldwide. Through its manpower trust, both pilots and mechanics, vast supply of parts and the ability to obtain the parts/aircraft required and by being the first to fly many significant types, this collection is an integral part of the warbird collective. The collection of flying and non flying aircraft is incomparable. P-26, Seversky, P-51A, A6M5, P-38, SBD, F4U-1 (Vought), P-47 razorback, ect.. balanced with nonflyers like Me-109G-10,Raiden, Val, Betty, Spit PrXIX (soon to fly) FR-1, FJ-2, P-59A soon to fly, and who knows what else! The visionary behind the collection, Ed Maloney, did what no person did successfully anywhere else, built a flying museum, powered by driven people, in a hostile environment. (The real world) The climate of today is not the same as that of the 50's and 60's. We all have him to thank for starters.
And Steve Hinton, for perpetuating the collection's success.
Planes of Fame is the world's best
the next four places are anybodys guess...
Joe

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