Champlin Museum Tour

[Barrett]

Scott, Forumites, etc: file this under I Shoulda Thunk Of It Sooner. If any of you forumvolk want to tour the superb Champlin Fighter Museum here in Mesa, AZ, pick 2 or 3 potential dates and let's agree upon one of them, or possibly two. I'll volunteer my services as tour guide and provide info on motels, etc in the area. I expect to be in Mesa until mid to late April so that should provide ample latitude. The only restrictions are first Saturday of each month and the first half of February.
Just to give you an idea of what to expect in the WW I realm: original Aviatik D.I and Pfalz D.XII
reproduction Albatros D.V, Etrich Taube, Fokker E-III, Dr.I, D-VII and D-VIII; Sopwith Pup, Tripe, Snipe; SE-5; Nieup. 27 (with original 28 inbound); SPAD XIII; and replica Camel. Replicas are cosmetic look-alikes; reproductions are extremely authentic "new construction."
Other displays include artifacts and papers of Luke, Wehner, and 94th PS ace Hamilton Coolidge (Al: a Bishop autograph!) plus a barn full of jets and WW II birds including my favorite, the long-nose FW-190D. There's also a very proficient P-51 pilot who gives a TERRIFIC 30 minute ride for about $400. Nearby is the AZ wing of the confederate air farce (B-17G, Spanish He-111, etc) and 90 minutes away is the Pima Air Museum with just a lot of stuff.
Additionally, it's possible I might be able to arrange a presentation by a member of the Luke family.
Let's spin the prop and pull chocks.

[Richard_Schrader]

Barrett;
This sounds like a great idea. Whatever time you pick I'll try to come.
Richard

How can I get there from Yukon Oklahoma. This would be a great trip for my son and I please give more information on location.

Wonderful idea, would definitely be interested if it would be some time after the new year.

MDD

Potential date #1: 21 April 1999

[Barrett]

Michael & Crew: 21 April certainly is an appropriate date but it's the day before my dad's next checkup at Mayo Scottsdale, and would really crowd the schedule. Right now I'm thinking of 20 or 27 February or as late as 13 March. We have plenty of time to make that determination--keep the cyber cards n' letters comin'.
For those who may drive, Mesa is about 15 miles east of Phoenix on Route 60. Airline service to Sky Harbor (PHX international) is excellent, with all the major carriers. Anyone flying a private aircraft will usually find ample tiedown space at Falcon Field, where the museum's located.

[Shooter]

Barrett:

Geeze, dude! I dunno but that I hope to be in negotiations with a publisher by March. My agent and my editor says that my manuscript is ready for promotion and I don't know what demands that will make of my time.

However, I would love to touch-twice the warbirds and the kites of the Great War, especially under your guidance. If there is a possibility that I am gonna be on the Coast around then (my agent lives in Beverly Hills) maybe I can swing it. Of course, I could as easily be in New York, where all the big houses are, too.

You know this drill better than I do. This is my first time in the barrel.

r/s

Bill

[Barrett]

How does Saturday, 20 Feb 99 suit anybody? Dinner Friday nite, tour Saturday morning, and the Frank Luke Memorial Balloon Bust at dawn Sunday!
Alternate schedule: tour Saturday PM, dinner Saturday night, and FLMBB Sunday morning.

20 Feb 99 sounds fine to me. I will begin saving (and hope that the Can$ recovers enough to keep the exchange rate from being too punitive).

[Ira_Silverman]

I'll keep 2/20/99 open on my schedule. I'm looking forward to it.