Sorry!

Did no one mention Mr.Ed Maloney?

I think that we all owe a big thank you to Mr.Ed Maloney.The founder of the Planes of Fame museum here in so-california.Just think of all of the aircraft that he saved from destruction and later flew and or restored.The only Mitsu zero that is original and flys with its sakae engine.The largest collection of original (not corroded junk from an island )Japanese planes anywhere.The only 2 P-26’s in the world (He even flew the one that he kept,but maybe flown not by Ed?)Me262,Ryan fireball,Northrup N-9-M flying wing,etc,etc,etc.The warbird world would be a much poorer place were it not for he.He also played a large part in my transformation into a warbird nut.His collection was housed within bicycle riding distance in the early 1970’s (Buena Park,Ca.)I spent way too much time admiring his collection of “Junk” Tim.
P.S. we must also remember what an effort was required on his part to just hang on to his airplanes.Before warbirds were popular,to many people they were just junk and eyesores.Ed had to move and find places to store his gems many times over the years .leaving many people wondering why bother?

You guys threw all of your toys away

We were no better at realizing that maybe we should keep at least a few copies of existing airplanes for our offspring to enjoy.However,For whatever reason it seems that quite a few more U.S. types have survived than British.Must be an example of typical British efficiency.Lots of U.K. aircraft types were efficiently scrapped into oblivion.What a shame.I am a great admirer of English techno achievements including cars,planes,electronics,motorcycles,etc.In most cases the neat developments and inventions were by the brits.The japanese and others(U.S.) were able to pick and choose from this vast assortment of knowledge and make them cheaper and more reliable.Most of the R+D has already been done.Case in point>Motorcycles(japan),Electronics stereos,video tape,etc.(japan) automobiles(everybody)And the ultimate insult is that the mini is now made by BMW, Even the great Rolls Royce is German owned.In the long,I wonder.Who really won the war?its not right. Tim
I realize that my ramblings are not really related to this thread and I apologize .