[ARC5] A Letter from the pCAF

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On 4/26/05, Gordon White <gewhite at crosslink.net> wrote:
> I have looked at several Collings Foundation aircraft and what I saw was
> pretty accurate WW II stuff, though they may actually use more modern
> boxes as required by the FCC/FAA when they fly.

Absolutely on the money, Gordon. They have no choice but to use the
newer equipment during flight, for all of the reasons you mentioned.
Technology has advanced a lot since then, and we're not in an air war
where a failed transmitter is no big deal, just follow the others back
home.

The Collings group is indeed more interested in "getting it right" by
seeing the aircraft and its ancillary systems as one complete or
entire 'unit' so to speak. Since they make a fair amount of their
income by being parked and letting folks tour through the aircraft,
accuracy and completeness are far more important than just having a
nice looking shell to fly around at airshows or to appear on
calendars.

The good news about the 'shells' or Hopped up Cessnas as Dave says, is
that they survived to be preserved. As attitudes change more and more
and some of the current mentalities retire from or otherwise leave the
wings or groups, there will likely be opportunities for those
interested in accuracy to fill in the gaps.

~ Todd,  KA1KAQ