Sunday, August 28, 2011

But No Thunder?

Someone can do this, but the USAF won't let Collings Foundation restore an F-105 to flying status.

7 comments:

Murphy's Law said...

So Ed, whose chain can we all start rattling to get the Thud project un-jammed? I'll help.

an Donalbane said...

Cool! Powered by J85s, no less.

What do you know about the status/condition of the Cavanaugh's Thud?

Ed Rasimus said...

I've got no idea what Cavanaugh's is. Never heard of it. All F-105 airframes regardless of location or condition belong to the Nat'l Museum of the USAF. The Air Staff directs them and the policy is no flying displays. Collings Foundation possesses the resources to get one flying. They've identified the G-model at Pima Air Museum as suitable and would restore a D-model in exchange for static display at Pima.

Write your congressman/senator. Write to Lt. Gen Hudson (ret) who is exec. director of the NMUSAF. Write to Gen. Schwartz CSAF.

MagiK said...

Any reason given for being so tight assed with the airframes?

Ed Rasimus said...

Their "mission" is to preserve for the future. Flying might endanger the resource...

Yet, they deteriorate in the sun, the row of ten at Lackland is being dismantled and while the AF asks for $20 million from Collings if they might approve, the air frames are insured for $12,000 apiece; the scrap metal value.

an Donalbane said...

Cavanaugh is the flight museum @ Addison Airport - didn't know if you were familiar with it or not.

http://www.cavanaughflightmuseum.com/

Ed Rasimus said...

There will be a dedication of the recently placed and painted F-105D model at Frontiers of Flight Museum at Love Field. September 21st. I don't have a time yet.