I’ve read this thread with interest… and, if you chappies from ‘Over ‘Ome will entertain a few thoughts from the “Colonies”, I’ll weigh in, as follows:

1. I too, was at one time, an “absolute authenticity” type. HOWEVER, my years in the industry have made me acutely aware of the costs of operating a flying aircraft of Second World War vintage – flat (or matte, to you in the UK) finishes induce drag – and with fuel costs, even in an exporting nation, here – (100 LL costs approximately $2.00/litre ) a semi-gloss, or outright GLOSS finish is much the more practical route to go – our Mission is to show our flying heritage to as many folk as possible, is it not?

2. Well-executed vinyl transfers are extremely colour-accurate, these days – witness ANY of our Vintage Wings of Canada aircraft – plus, they give one the opportunity to change a scheme, for special events/ commemorations.

3. The “static” folk can be as AR as they choose – those are museum pieces/historic archives – what WE do in the “flying” world, is provide a safe, reliable (GRIN) platform to give the public a total experience of historic aircraft.

4. It’s very easy to criticize the choices of folk who spend LITERALLY millions of dollars/Sterling/Euro on their aircraft, when one isn’t paying the fuel and maintenance costs. Yeah, I’m not thrilled with some “Texas camouflage” jobs – but in the end, they FLY, damnit!

/rant

Jim

Oh, Pagey…

A few points;

Firstly; as has been mentioned by ‘Firebex’, the CAA arent dragons, and are not there to stop projects being built; they are there to ensure they are done properly, and safely.

Exactly. Whether it’s the CAA, Transport Canada, or FAA – doing one’s “due diligence” and KEEPING RECORDS from any Project’s inception will make all the difference.

Glynn took 25 years because he was doing it on his own, as he could afford it, and as he had time. When KA114 came along, it all changed. He is now concentrating his efforts on his own aircraft, as he always intended to do, and Avspecs have their own guy doing woodwork on the next project. With the right money and people, it could be done quicker.

I have been involved with two significant Preservation organizations – and I can assure y’all that the “Volunteers only” model is fraught with way more hassles than having a committed source of funding, and a high degree of professional input. If we want “Flyers” then we need “Champions/Owners” with DEEEP pockets, on anything much bigger than a Tiger, or Harvard.

A semi serious thought… Are there any in freshwater lakes? That could provide many of the parts, but no wood…..

Bruce

OOOO, let’s start a rumour! Have I got a Boreal Forest for YOU, Matey! :diablo:

As a side note… is anyone in possession of updates on the Victoria and Windsor Mosquito projects?

Forgive my ignorance here, but I’m assuming these are both to be “Flyers” ?

Canadian Fairchild 71, I believe.

Merry Christmas, All!

( I HAD “Super” 71… but I was mistook, eh?) 🙂

SCRATCH that! It’s a Super Universal… jeez dunno my own aviation heritage.

The one in Downsview may be “out in the cold” soon, too, unless the Museum, the Government and the Developers come to some sort of agreement.

We don’t need several threads doing the same thing.
But look at these posts, this thread has become a de facto private domain of a half dozen people. I’m just rying to open it up.

I’m sorry to have intruded on your private domain.:rolleyes:

Not my private domain… nor anyone else’s, dude. :rolleyes: yerself