We all know that the USAF does not have a historic flight along the lines of the great BoBMF. (Though the USAF Museum did have a T-6 Texan flying…well away from the eyes of the Pentagon…in the early to mid-1990s, not long before the then-director retired).
With the WWII warbirds being taken care of by groups (CAF, etc) and private owners, it probably doesn’t need to go that far back in history.
But it has missed a chance to keep other planes flying….all the early jets (F-84,86, 89, 94) as well as most of the “Century Series” and most bombrers (B-47, 57, 58, 66) and some transports (C-124 and soon the C-141)will never see the skies again.
What yould you think of the service establishing a funded historic flight. Eventually it could fly a B-52, F-4 and an A-10?.
If a private group in the UK can fly a Vulcan, why couldn’t the USAF keep a B-52 flying after its days are done (although that probably won’t be another 20-30 years at the way they keep extending their careers).
Anyone prepared to write letters or send emails?
If so, what would you like to see it operate (within the ream of possibility..sorry, no B-36s)?
By: J Boyle - 12th November 2004 at 17:53
My intial pick would be a F106 if they haven’t destroyed them all in the drone program, a F-8, a B-58, F105, KC-97, A-4 etc.,etc.
Maybe mothball a F-111 and F-14 as well for displaying in the future.
A few of the older generation helo’s would be nice as well.
I believe all the 106s are gone, perhaps one could be taken out of a museum and restored to flight. The 58’s and 105s were scapped except for a few museum pieces, spares (except for the engines) would be impossible to come by.
A C-97 is a possibility as is the F-8 and A-4 (and A-7) but they’re Navy.
Maybe the Aussies could give back a F-111G (a former FB-111) provided to them when the 111s were withdrawn.
I love the idea of old helicopters…restore a HH-3E “Jolly Green” as a tribute to the rescue crews in Vietnam. There are plenty of parts since the Navy still flies their SH/UH-3 Sea Kings. They’d have to buy a flying HH-43, there are some stillout there logging, but unless they pair someone to restore a H-19, it’s too late for that. And of course set aside a HH-53 and UH-1N when they are finally retired.
All in all, it’s not impossible…highly improbable, but not impossible. And withthe millions the USAF spend on recruiting and various heritage programs, one that wouldn’t be too expensive.
By: sparky - 12th November 2004 at 16:06
This is USAF have Demo Team and Heritage Flight
By: Firebird - 12th November 2004 at 15:57
As to the B-52, no need to worry there – they’ll be flying in active service for another 50 years. 🙂
You could argue that the USAF does already maintain a Historic Flight……it’s the B-52 fleet…… 😀 😀
By: Glyn - 12th November 2004 at 15:45
Economically the only way to pull it off would be to focus on WWII aircraft much like the BBMF. While the Spitfire, Hurricane, Lancaster and C-47 are complex in their own right, none of the powerplants nor systems reach the compexity of that of a Century Series fighter. As always, spares would prove scarce and fabrication of the aging electronics components would prove to be a fiscal nightmare. Why do you think so few of these classsic jet warbirds are still flying?
As to the B-52, no need to worry there – they’ll be flying in active service for another 50 years. 🙂
By: Phillip Rhodes - 12th November 2004 at 12:11
The reason why it hasn’t happened is probably the same reason why the US tax-payer didn’t pay for the new NASM super hangar. Politicians love to line their own pockets but are ****-scared of wasting our money on others or some good cause. I’ve always found it strange the way we funds things – and the way big business fund things. At one end a cleaner might have to wait years for a new brush (cost saving measure) and at the other end some CEO might have an unlimited expenses account.
I’m trying to find ways of funding my fight to save RAF Driffield (I even put an advert in the latest Private Eye – no luck), yet when one of these big organisations hold a press conference or opening – they spend thousands (money better spent elsewhere). I was hoping to have some leaflet printed, etc.
A USAF Historic Flight is an excellent idea – but unless you have someone with millions or billions behind you – forget it. The best way forward is for smaller groups to concentrate on individual airframes like the Collings Foundation (okay so they operate a few airframes), or Sally B – very much mission orientated.
By: Firebird - 12th November 2004 at 08:34
It does seem incredible that the USAF/USN hasn’t thought of doing this. As well as the BBMF here in the UK, there is the Royal Jordanian HF with some historic jets, and the Swedish AF have got an historic flight of jets as well.
My intial pick would be a F106 if they haven’t destroyed them all in the drone program, a F-8, a B-58, F105, KC-97, A-4 etc.,etc.
Maybe mothball a F-111 and F-14 as well for displaying in the future.
A few of the older generation helo’s would be nice as well.
I also don’t see why they couldn’t do WW2 stuff as well, perhaps some of the more costlier such as B-29 maybe…. :confused:
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November 12, 2004 at 4:30 am