Champlin Museum tour

Barrett · 26 March 2002, 02:01 PM

Forumites will recall the mini-tour/convention/confab that we had at the Champlin Fighter Museum in Arizona a couple of years ago. There's been more recent talk of a similar event this fall or winter. We should keep in mind that the WW I birds are now scheduled to be crated for shipping to Seattle next spring, so time is getting short. I recommend November, but can probably accommodate things as late as January. Send your preferred time frame(s) and I'll work this end with the museum director.

26 March 2002, 02:36 PM

I'm open for any date(s) after September other than the 21st-29th of December. *

9 April 2002, 05:58 PM

I am open this fall to go on the tour. Seeing as how I live 1 1/2 hours away from the museum, getting there shouldn't be a problem. I'd love to go, and possibly meet some of the people here on the forum. So please keep me posted. Also, is the tour going to be a generalized tour, like the one commonly given? Or is something more special and perhaps more priave going to be arranged? I ask, simply because I would like to get a little closer to the Fokker D.VII that's on display, to get pictures and get a real, up-close feel for the aircrafts size and scale. Keep me posted, eh Barrett?? Thanks again...

dtenney

Barrett · 10 April 2002, 02:09 PM

I envision a personalized tour (conducted by myownself) but probably without the over-the-ropes look that we had on the first CFM tour. Since then, ownership of the collection has changed and the Seattle management is calling the shots. Still, a before-hours look should be possible.

mike_baram · 15 May 2002, 04:57 PM

By "Seattle" does that mean Boeing Field?

Dan_San_Abbott · 21 May 2002, 09:21 AM

Barrett:
Let me know the date and I'll be there. What better excuse do I need to go visit my beautiful Daughter, Cassandra, I call her Sandi.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

21 July 2002, 05:02 PM

Hello!

Any update about the Champlin tour? I am interested in getting a more "upclose and personal" vantage point of the aircraft, so i can take tons of pictures!! Whats the word??

thanks..

dtenney

Barrett · 14 August 2002, 03:08 PM

As recently noted elsewhere on the Forum, the November tour originally proposed has had some slippage. I now expect things to proceed in the February or March period. Watch this space.

Barrett · 21 October 2002, 10:21 AM

It's now official: CFM will close in mid-May. If we're gonna have another Forum tour, I recommend sometime in March. Watch this space.

Barrett · 1 January 2003, 06:57 AM

Talked to Doug Champlin the other day; the museum will close 31 May after the aces' reunion but might not be open to the public for the last few days of the month. Earlier plans were to ship the WW I birds beginning in March or April but now it appears they'll remain til closing when the collection will begin moving to Seattle Museum of Flight.
WW I aircraft on display:
Taube (reproduction)
E.III (repro)
Dr.I (replica w/rotary)
D.VII (repro)
D.VIII (replica)
Alb D.V (repro)
Aviatik D.I * (restored)
Pup (repro)
Tripe (repro)
Camel (replica)
Snipe (repro w/Warner radial)
SE-5a (repro)
N.27 (repro)
N.28 (restoration)
S.13 (repro)

* Only surviving example

Reproduction: exact dupe of original with same construction, engine, instruments, guns.
Replica: cosmetic look-alike, occasionally with an original engine
Very few WW I birds are complete restorations, as many have some recent wood, etc, and nearly all have recent fabric.

There are also a dozen WW II birds and 4 jets.