I disagree, we would have far fewer warbirds around if they had not been rebuilt to fly. These machines were meant to fly, not sit around on the ground forever.
Nothing has ever been pranged just for some airshow, some have been pranged at an airshow but not for an airshow.

I could not agree more, For me its about living history, I am sure a lot of the Airframes that have been used in restorations to fly would simply be left where they were if there was not a demand to see warbirds in their natural enviroment the sky, I honestly do not think we are robbing future generations i think the opposite is probably true, Having these Airframes left rotting in the ground seems a waste to me and does not give me the confidence that future generations will get the oppitunity to see this history.

I think the very fact that we have aircraft such as Spitfires Mustangs and Hurricanes flying regularlly in the UK is a great tool to teach children the history of World War II where as a trip to a museum to see a aircraft gather dust does not have the same impact, and will never let the child feel or see what these aircraft are like.

Anybody who knows me will know that sadly i have witnessed 5 fatal accidents involving warbirds at airshows, But in the years i have gone to airshows i have seen hundreds of successful displays including seeing in 1982 Ray Hanna flying his Spitfire at Biggin Hill, I was 8 and had never seen a real Spitfire before from that day on i have had a intrest in warbirds and have spent a lot of my time researching and reading up on World War II, How many other people have had a similar introduction to history? I am guessing quiet a few.