Fwd: Collings Foundation's April eNews

Above photos by Mark Goldman Collings Foundation Home Schedules Membership Sponsorship PX Catalog 4/25-4/27 San Diego, CA (B-17, B-24 & P-51)   Airport: Gillespie Field 4/27-4/30 Carlsbad, CA (B-17, B-24 & P-51)   Airport: McClellan-Palomar Airport 4/30-5/2 Ramona, CA (B-17, B-24 & P-51)   Airport: Ramona Airport 5/2-5/4 Murrieta, CA (B-17, B-24 & P-51)   Airport: French Valley Airport 5/4-5/6 Burbank, CA (B-17, B-24 & P-51)   Airport: Bob Hope Airport 5/7-5/9 Camarillo, CA (B-17, B-24 & P-51)   Airport: Camarillo Airport 5/9-5/11 Long Beach, CA (B-17, B-24 & P-51)   Airport: Long Beach Airport 5/11-5/13 Santa Ana, CA (B-17, B-24 & P-51)   Airport: Orange County / John Wayne Airport Lyon Air Museum 5/14-5/16 Santa Barbara, CA (B-17, B-24 & P-51)   Airport: Santa Barbara Municipal Airport 5/16-5/18 San Luis Obispo, CA (B-17, B-24 & P-51)   Airport: San Luis County Regional Airport 5/18-5/26 Mountain View, CA (B-17, B-24 & P-51) *Me 262 Debut!   Airport: Moffett Federal Airfield 5/27-5/29 Livermore, CA (B-17, B-24 & P-51)   Airport: Livermore Municipal Airport 5/29-6/1 Concord, CA (B-17, B-24 & P-51)   Airport: Buchanan Field 6/1-6/4 Sacramento, CA (B-17, B-24 & P-51)   Airport: McClellan Air Park 6/4-6/6 Napa, CA (B-17, B-24 & P-51)   Airport: Napa County Airport 6/6-6/8 Arcata/Eureka, CA (B-17, B-24 & P-51)   Airport: Arcata Airport CHECK OUR WEB SITE FOR MORE STOP DATES! *Dates and locations subject to change. Check our schedule online for most up-to-date information. Click on the location for a map and tour times. More dates will be up soon!     Tuesday April 24th, 2012 A-1E Skyraider Joins the Collings Foundation's Flying Collection Thanks to a very generous supporter, a Douglas A-1E Skyraider is joining the Collings Foundation's flying collection. Of all the large warbirds, the Skyraider was one of the most practical, versatile and rugged aircraft. The Skyraider had a remarkably long and successful career while in service from late 1940s to mid 1980s. The Skyraider was nicknamed the "Spad", after a French WWI fighter. This Skyraider was originally designated as an AD-5 when manufactured in 1951 with a radical modification of the basic single-seat Skyraider. The AD-5 design could accommodate a two-man crew side by side. The aircraft's fuselage was widened and lengthened to accommodate four additional passengers or cargo. Initially used by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, the AD-5 version of the Skyraider was eventually used by the USAF and the Vietnamese Air Force as well, under the A-1E designation. In the age of supersonic jets, the Spad proved to be extremely useful for close air support and helicopter escort missions during the Vietnam War. Assigned Navy Bureau Number 135188, this Skyraider was originally accepted by the U.S.N. from Douglas at El Segundo, California on June 23, 1955 and assigned to VC-11 NAS North Island, California. During the next four years, the Skyraider served aboard the U.S.S. Wasp (CV-18), the U.S.S. Hornet (CV-12) and the U.S.S. Shangri La (CV-38) between shore assignments before being placed in storage at Litchfield Park, Arizona on December 29 1959. On November 30 1962, the Skyraider was redesignated EA-1E while still in storage and stricken from the books in March 1963. However, with the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, it was reinstated into service and assigned to VAW-33 serving aboard the U.S.S. Intrepid and U.S.S. Wasp. While on the Wasp the aircraft was overhauled again when it's radome was removed and the airframe modified and redesignated A-1E. Initially assigned to VA-122 at N.A.S. Lemoore, California, it later served aboard the U.S.S. Kittyhawk and then went to VAQ-33 at Quonset Point as a utility and training aircraft. Finally, the Skyraider was sent to the Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Centre February 1970. There it remained until Roy Stafford acquired the aircraft in 1989. At that point, Steve Hinton with Fighter Rebuilders restored the aircraft to pristine condition. Since then Skyraider has passed through several hands to the last owner Brent Hisey in Okalahoma. Now, this Skyraider is joining the Collings Foundation's flying collection flying in honor of our Vietnam Veterans. This Skyraider is in great condition. Executive Director, Rob Collings remarked on the aircraft: "the roll rate is astounding! This Skyraider is a joy to fly – and fly in! We hope to be able to offer flight experiences to the general public soon. There is room for four in back and lots of room!" Keep an eye on our web site for more information on the Skyraider's schedule of appearances and flight experience possibilities. Thanks again to our sponsor for generous support! ____________________________________________________________________________ Beginning of the end for Warbirds Congressman Michael Turner (R-OH) wants to eliminate the future of warbird aviation through an amendment he is making to the House National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 4310). Your immediate help is needed to put a stop to this! For the last few decades, Americans have been able to learn more about their nation's history, honor Veterans, and inspire future generations thanks to airworthy warbirds. While many of these vintage military aircraft were sourced on the civilian market, a few key examples proved to be so rare that they had to be acquired from the US government through special Congressionally approved transfers. Collings Foundations' F-4 Phantom and Commemorative Air Force's B-29 "FiFi" stand forth as key examples of this prerogative—both of which are the only civilian-owned and airworthy examples of their respective type anywhere in the world. Congressman Michael Turner (R-OH, second from right in photo) has introduced an amendment (Title 10) to the 2013 Defense Authorization Bill (H.R. 4310) that would prevent this from happening ever again. His amendment would ban the Department of Defense and Congress from transferring a surplus U.S. military aircraft to an organization that choose to honor Veterans and educate the public by flying vintage military aircraft. Ironically, Congressman Turner represents Dayton, Ohio—the very location where 20 restored B-25s took to the sky last week in salute to the Doolittle Raiders. Not surprising, Rep. Turner's district includes the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. If Congressman Turner's Title 10 amendment passes, future such displays for Veterans from the Cold War, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq and countless other engagements will never occur. It would simply be impossible to acquire the respective aircraft from these periods with such a law in place. We have seen the positive potential afforded by warbirds as they honor our Greatest Generation and educate younger individuals about World War Two's critical role in our nation's history. We firmly believe it is essential to continue this mission of recognition and education for subsequent generations. There is only so much that aircraft parked in a dusty static museum can do. Real inspiration occurs when engines roar to life, aircraft thunder down the runway, and history takes flight. Please support the future of warbird aviation. The Collings Foundation, Commemorative Air Force, EAA, Warbirds of America and other associated groups are working to prevent the inclusion of Congressman Turner's amendment into H.R. 4310. Time is short and we need your help THIS WEEK. There is no worth to Title 10 - except for the U.S. Air Force Museum, other Government institutions and museums who would rather you look at a historical aircraft behind a rope collecting dust. We need you to contact Representative Michael Turner, your local Congressman, and the House Armed Services Committee to let them know you oppose Congressman Turner's proposed Title 10 amendment that would ban the transfer of surplus military aircraft and parts to organizations who intend to fly them. The future of warbird aviation is at stake if we do not act now. Contact: Congressman Michael Turner. Web site: http://turner.house.gov/ Telephone Dayton Office: (937) 225-2843 E-mail for the Congressman's staffer in charge of this issue: Don Bergin don.bergin@mail.house.gov Your local Representatives (search this site for your Representative): http://www.house.gov/ Contact every person on the House Armed Services Committee: http://armedservices.house.gov/index.cfm/members Key talking points: This is about honoring veterans and educating younger generations regarding their nation's history. Static aircraft have their place, but nothing compares to an aircraft taking to the sky. Transfers of surplus military aircraft for purposes of educational flight exhibition is not precedent setting—it merely follows past protocol. Congressional transfer legislation specifically prohibits the use of US Government funds—these occur at no cost to the government. Civilian owners must operate the historical aircraft in accordance with FAA oversight and regulations that are designed to maximize safety. _____________________________________________________________ B-24 Liberator Crew Training Camp 4th mission - May 30th and 31st, Stockton CA We still have room. Sign up now if interested. Have you ever wondered what the recoil feels like when you fire a real .50 cal. machine gun? Imagine hearing the "ping ping ping" of shells on the floor of the legendary B-24 Liberator as you blast holes into the blue sky! Want to drop 250 lb bombs from the belly of a beast? How about cramming into the ball turret and looking straight down to enemy territory? Think it is easy to hit a flying target from the top turret? The B-24 training camp is the most incredible two-day program you could ever imagine! Training will take place in Stockton, California May 30th and 31st. Mr. Taigh Ramey of Vintage Aircraft heads this program. Mr. Ramey, staff, volunteers and reenactors put together and absolutely stellar program! Cost for two-day program is $3,900. Includes accommodations, meals, materials and ammunition. 50% deposit required (a lot of planning is involved and we purchase the equipment and materials ahead of time). For more information contact Hunter Chaney via email: hchaney@collingsfoundation.org or click here. Call sooner than later if you are interested in attending. - Who knows if we will be able to do this again... _____________________________________________________________________________ Collings Foundation's Me 262 "White 1" Debut at Moffett Federal Airfield May 18th, 2012 After over five years of restoration the Collings Foundation's Messerschmitt Me 262 will make it's first public debut on May 18th at Moffett Airfield. The 262 will be joining the national Wings of Freedom tour as the B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator and P-51 Mustang make their way through the Bay Area. White 1 has passed FAA's Phase 1 flight tests and is performing beautifully. After Moffett, we will have the aircraft at several Wings of Freedom tour locations on static display. Pilot training will be ongoing as we wait for FAA's LHFE (Living History Flight Exemption) moratorium to be lifted. - For more information regarding this moratorium click here. We hope the FAA will lift this moratorium in September 2012. At that point, we will re-petition the FAA for 262 flight exemption. If approved this would allow us to offer flight experiences in this legendary jet fighter. Keep an eye on our national Wings of Freedom tour schedule for appearance updates and additional information. _____________________________________________________________________________ SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE ~ COLLINGS FOUNDATION PX STORE Gifts, books, DVDs and more - for the aviation enthusiast! See our online PX Store. Shopping is very easy and secure. Looking for the ultimate gift for "the person that has everything"? Flight Certificates are a unique and exciting present for anyone. The Wings of Freedom tour visits over 110 cities all over the United States. Once your certificate arrives just check our stop schedule to see when the bombers are near you- then call us to reserve a seat. Check our web site for confirmed schedule and locations). Flight Certificates are a tax deductible donation! We also have a great selection of books, videos, DVD's, T-shirts, polos, toys, calendars, hats and much more. New custom models of the Collings Foundation's A-4 Skyhawk and F-4 Phantom. Click on images to order. _______________________

Help us "Keep E'm Flying" for Future Generations

Jay Leno talks with local WWII Veteran during the Wings of Freedom tour stop in Burbank. It is up to each and every person to "Keep 'Em Flying" for future generations.

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