[ARC5] A Letter from the pCAF

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

You are entirely too polite to the CAF, Mr. Stinson.

I am not sure, but I understand that the Collings Foundation possibly 
has a little better attitude.  At least they carry most of a BC-375 around 
with them in their B-17. I didn't notice what they had in the B-24 though, 
but that was a few years ago.

Also Taigh Ramey, who is a member of this list, does good work with 
proper restoration of radio gear in vintage WWII aircraft.

He is a real stickler for accuracy.

Ken W7EKB

> Some of the people in our community have asked me why I have
> an "attitude" about the (pollitically)Correct Air Farce.
> I just got a letter from one of their wings.
> This might shed some light:
> 
> 
> Mr. ********** wrote:
>  > Hello again:
>  > Thought I would mail you direct instead of using gmail.
>  > Hope your listing in qrz is current.
>  > I have not checked with Midland on this, but,
>  > I would like to find enough "STUFF" to make up
>  > an original set up for our B-17 here
>  > in ************** Wing of the CAF.
>  > Would appreciate any input you might have on the subject.
>  > Carry on
> 
> Respectfully, Mr. **********, and without any wish to
> give you personal offense; I was pleased to meet you,
> and am sure your intentions are entirely honorable.
> Those of the CAF, however....
> 
> Over the years, I have had some very bad
> experiences with what I now call the
> (politically)Correct Air Force, encountering elitist
> and dismissive attitudes towards anyone who could not
> write a check for a P-51, and especially for the historic
> technology that made these aircraft possible.
> In my experience, the pCAF strips the historic
> technology out of an aircraft and build what amounts
> to a big, "WWII-looking" Cessna.  Frankly, if I want to
> see a Cessna cockpit, I'll go to the local grass strip.
> 
> To help you better understand my position,
> let me relate some of my experiances with the pCAF:
> In the past, I have attempted to donated equipment,
> expertise and time to help with pCAF "restorations."
> I have been either rebuffed as one would a bothersome child,
> or had my equipment (and money) condescendingly accepted,
> only to learn that it was subsequently thrown away.
> I've also had the distinct pleasure of a leader
> of a wing I shall not name, tell me that he didn't
> want any of that "old crap" in his wing's aircraft,
> and that the pCAF "already had a warehouse full of
> that old sh*t- we can't throw it away fast enough."
> 
> As a result, I am extremely selective about whom
> I offer my time and equipment,
> and I fear I have neither for the pCAF.
> I have no interest in assisting them in any way.
> Both my time and equipment supply are limited,
> and I choose to offer them to orgainizations
> with a better attitude.
> I'm sure that, with the money of the pCAF members
> and patience, they can find all they need on Ebay.
> 
> If this offends *you,* I am truly sorry.
> If it offends the pCAF, I am not sorry in the least,
> for I am simply returning the courtesy given me.
> 
> Sincerely,
> David S.
> 
> 
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