[Milsurplus] Re: [ARC5] The Warbird Groups

[Todd Bigelow - PS]

I can verify both what Paul and Dave are saying here.

First, the Collings Foundation does put accurate radio gear in their birds,
but they don't have all of the accessories and no cabling or connectors
attached in their B-17G. I've wanted to see if others here in the northeast
area would be willing to approach them and offer our services to rectify
this.  I think the radios look fine, but would look so much nicer if they were
complete with wiring, beads,  and accessories, almost like being fully dressed
instead of barefoot in a tuxedo. One thing I *did* notice was that their B-24
looked far more complete in this area. Perhaps because it had just been
completed and those working on the restoration paid more attention to detail?
The BC-375 gear looked like new.

Dave, you're not the only one who's had bad experiences with the CAF group.
While I'm sure there are mostly good folks involved and they've sure done a
lot of good work, some are real twits (like most groups). I ran into one at an
airshow here, won't go into the details. I can tell you though from firsthand
experience that they do not want, and no longer will accept vintage radio gear
for their aircraft or any museum projects. I spoke with a fellow on HF some
years back from southern Texas near their home base. I mentioned having some
gear at the time, he said they were no longer accepting it. From what he told
me, they *did* accept gear donations for a while, but finally got sick of
having to store it then throw it away. Other side of the coin was that when
some people 'donated' gear, they expected lifetime membership in return with
flying privileges, etc. Idiots on both sides of the aisle, for sure.

If you ever get to a show where the Collings group has their birds Dave, check
them out. They at least have the right idea, even if the follow through isn't
(yet) as complete as we'd like to see it. Like Paul says, many people like old
airplanes. Far fewer appreciate the subsytems inside that made them work. Like
anything else, the people and leadership in those key positions right now will
change in time, and you'll perhaps see new faces who want to work with those
who actually know something about the internal systems and can contribute to
their restoration.

Many of these planes were restored years and years ago when the intent was to
get them flying and out where the general public could see them, so they could
contribute the needed cash to go onward. I suspect a lot of the older crowd
could've cared less for those crappy old radios that "never worked well
anyway" and just added extra weight. The newer groups are far more likely to
restore something authentically. I exchanged emails with a fellow looking for
an ATA modulator for a Ventura project a few months back. He had an original
list of gear that could be fitted to the aircraft, and he was thoroughly
seeking out each component by number. I also know of several projects in
Australia now that are seeking authentic gear because some of the pieces I'd
planned on getting ended up being used in a B-25 restoration. I also have a
friend visiting now who told me about a Beaufort being restored a few blocks
from her in Brisbane, so maybe there's hope for the future. Radios weren't as
important or historic to folks 20-30 years ago, and they still aren't to some.
But when you look at just the number of hams now seeking ARC-5 gear to restore
instead of hack up, to me it seems like a good sign.

73 de Todd/'Boomer'  KA1KAQ

"Paul H. Anderson" wrote:

> On Mon, 23 Sep 2002, David Stinson wrote:
>
> > George Brand wrote:
> >
> > > CAN I GET AN AMEN!!!!!!   Saving my pennies for my flight
> >
> > Not me.  If the radio gear isn't authentic, or if they haven't at least
> > *tried* to get it authentic, I'm not interested.
>
> Um, the Yankee Lady is admitedly a few points shy of authentic.  The
> ART-13 tuning units appeared to me to have multiple units of the same
> frequency.  Everything else to my eye appeared to be ready to be turned on
> and used.  The main 28V supply for the radio room looked ready to turn on.
>
> The exception to this would be the cockpit area, where I think safety is
> considered paramount, and for good reason.
>
> > Most of these groups present a hollowed-out shell that looks like
> > a warbird, but it's really a replica-  Might as well be fiberglass.
>
> Perhaps true, but I know Yankee Lady is not this way, and I doubt the
> Collings Foundation B-17 and B-24 are either, based on articles I've
> read about them.