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Tall Tale [That's True] Rare warbirds to depart Edwards Ranch
AOPA.org [Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association] ^ | July 31, 2014 | Dave Hirschman

Posted on 10/29/2014 2:18:36 PM PDT by SZonian

Hang around aircraft restorers and you’ll inevitably hear tales of priceless historical relics hidden in barns, buried in shrink wrap, or otherwise stuck in time awaiting discovery.

These stories are almost always wild exaggerations or outright fiction. But if you’ve ever heard of the cache of iconic warbirds at Wilson Connell “Connie” Edwards’ west Texas ranch, it’s absolutely real.

The irascible former movie pilot who made a fortune in the oil business has added to his vast inventory of mostly World War II-era fighters, seaplanes, and surplus parts for more than a half century. Now, he’s decided to sell many of them—but only on his own nonnegotiable terms.

“People can either pay my price or go to hell, I really don’t care which,” says Edwards, 80, who is perhaps best known for choreographing and flying many of the aerial scenes in Battle of Britain, a 1969 movie that starred Michael Caine and Sir Lawrence Olivier and featured more than a dozen Messerschmitt Bf 109s (technically Spanish-built HA-1112 Buchons), Heinkel He 111 (CASA 2.111) bombers—and, of course, British Spitfires and Hurricanes. “I know the value of what I’ve got, and I don’t haggle. Pay my price, or don’t waste my time,” Edwards says.

(Excerpt) Read more at aopa.org ...


TOPICS: History; Hobbies; Military/Veterans; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: aviation; irascible; warbirds; wwii
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To: tanknetter

I am still in awe of the quick rate of technology in all areas in a mere 40 years or so leading up to WWII. Nothing else compares, imo.


21 posted on 10/30/2014 3:59:52 PM PDT by Karl Spooner
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To: yarddog
I do know that late in the war the Germans had developed a really powerful engine for the BF-109. I think something like 2000 HP which should have been a real terror in such a small plane.

That was the reaction of The Israelis to the Avia-S-199 (Czech Bf109)

Bigger engine, heavier moving machinery, more torque effect, add narrow undercarriage=beast

22 posted on 10/30/2014 6:57:53 PM PDT by Oztrich Boy (without fear or favour: no dog in the fight)
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To: alfa6
Here is a nice shot picturing the Air Force personnel of the Soviet Union late in WWII. From this picture it is clear that it was an existentional conflict on their part. Introduction of computerized databases to run welfare benefits and health care in late 1970s has shown that the Soviet Union lost the entire generation of males born in earlier 1920s. Just look at this picture. By 1943 Soviet Air Force was flown by 17 y.o. females who had 11 y.o. boys as ball gunners and armorers for protection and loading ordnance.
23 posted on 11/01/2014 8:01:19 AM PDT by wetphoenix
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To: wetphoenix

Interesting pic, thanks.

RE your comment...

Much could be said for the Britsih and French following WW-I. That explains in part the lack of desire for the French and British political class to want to engage Nazi Germany until they were forced to.

Regards

alfa6 :>}


24 posted on 11/01/2014 9:15:23 AM PDT by alfa6 (Freedom is not free Free men are not equal Equal men are not free)
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