Tom, so sorry for this huge disappointment and loss of your decades long project. I've faithfully followed your progress on the A26, and if it means anything to your group, y'all have given the guys here at TC so much enjoyment being a part of your journey. The countless hours and dollars invested and lost in this labor of love are surely a bitter pill to swallow, but life takes unexpected turns. Hopefully the plane will fall into hands as dedicated as yours, and the folks responsible for snatching it away will get theirs. You still THE MAN!

 

This news is still absolutely heartbreaking. As much as it pains me to say this, push their airplane outside and let it sit. The powers-to-be at CAF need their kahunas in a vice, and every time one of us walks by, give it a crank,

 

Tom,
What a kick in the nuts. You guys gave it your all and were successful. So kudos to your entire group.
You will always have the memories of the journey.

 

Tom what about all the spare parts you have for the plane? I would never let the CAF have any of those. Probably good money in spare parts.

 

ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL the parts, engines, tools, fixtures, work stands, engine lifting crane, and SH bank account, etc, etc, belong to Sierra Hotel-------------NOT, repeat, NOT CAF. All of that will remain in the hanger until we can dispose of them.

 

We need to flood their email inbox with our views. Here's mine:

I want to comment on the planned transfer of the A26 aircraft from it's location in Oklahoma to your group (I assume in Texas). The enthusiasts in OK rescued this plane 26 years ago where it had sat ABANDONED by your group for years in Arkansas. They have poured their own money, sweat, and love for the project at great personal expense. They completely restored the plane, got it airworthy and flying, with the only remaining task to get a proper paint job on it. While I understand CAF technically (and actually) owns the aircraft, NO ONE associated with CAF lifted a finger or donated a thin dime to this restoration project. If CAF intends to go through with confiscation of the A26, there should be an arrangement to at least partially compensate the Oklahoma group either monetarily, or offering special flight privileges to the people who actually made this plane what it now is. I understand CAF's new leadership is headed up by Mr. David Oliver. I call on Mr. Oliver and his board to carefully reconsider this planned move. Rest assured, if you proceed, be prepared to receive negative press. THIS IS WRONG!
Respectfully, Randy Perkins

 

I doubt CAF will allow any of the SH members anywhere near the aircraft due to fears of retribution.
However that does not mean that SH members have to comply with any requests from CAF going forward.

 

Just got this letter in an email from CAF.

 

Well it is blatantly clear that CAF does not intend to allow any former members of the SH group to have any interaction with the A26 going forward.
I suspect that this plan was cooked up some time ago when it began to look like the SH group was going to complete the successful restoration of the aircraft. I also suspect that this decision was kept hush/hush as to not be leaked to any members of the SH group.
The SH group was played by the CAF.

 

Fargin corksoakers... may syphilis infect his anus.

 

I just talked to Jim.
Thur we are going to Ada, pull the plane out of the hanger, tow it to the ramp near the terminal building, park it, chock the tires, go back to the hanger, lock it, go home, call David Oliver and say come get it, we're done, have a nice day.

 

What a bunch of bull....

sorry to hear this Tom. I think you first posted about this restoration in 2006? One of THE best stories on the internet in my opinion. Your group did what was seemingly impossible, especially considering you all learned new technical abilities along the way and always underfunded. Great accomplishment and something you all should be very proud of!

It's clear by that letter, CAF pulled out the a-hole card for some unknown reason. WOW. What a way to treat a group that poured decades of time and money into. Certainly shows an extreme lack of respect. Other groups should be on notice that CAF could do the same to them. What a real shame.

Thanks for taking Team Chevelle along for the ride all these years! Just remember, you treated that old war bird right, CAF left it to die. You guys rock!

 

What a bunch of scum balls. I still wish I was a good lawyer.

 

I've been sending emails to various news organizations to try and get someone to make Tom's story public. If others would do the same maybe we can get someone that cares enough about righting a wrong to do a story on this. At this point damn the torpedos and burn that bridge....

Needless to say David Oliver never responded to my email to him. I think the only option is to go outside of the CAF and try to get visability. The last thing they want is bad publicity.

 

So, your unit is disbanded, so it apparently no longer exists, but CAF indirectly solicits the former unit's members' aid in having their request effected. That would presumably be former members of the unit..."you guys".

Mr. Oliver says:

"I am immediately requesting that the aircraft and its logbooks be moved out of the private hangar in which it now resides and be parked and secured on the general aviation ramp at the Ada Regional Airport. Accommodations have been made with airport management."

In his communication he indicates that: "The Commemorative Air Force will now assume all costs and all operational responsibility" (italics mine). Well, that starts with inspecting the airplane and the AGE, and the stands, and, and, etc. etc; " putting power on the airplane," towing , taxiing, locking it up, plugging up the various ports, tie-down, ground cables, etc. etc.; and he has made accommodation with the airport manager.

"You guys", could transfer custody of the logs and the like to the airport management, and ask them to indicate when they want you to open up the hanger, and remind them that they will have to provide tow-bar and tug and tow team (and chocks)(and tie-down) ' I've heard that it can get a bit windy in Oklahoma on occasion. Remember CAF has assumed all operational responsibility.

I'd say that you would just be protecting yourselves, cuz remember: Murphy's Law, and it's corollary..."at the worst possible time". And Murphy never sleeps (just like the tax man).

Co-incidentally I got a letter yesterday from the CAF, first ever..a slick solicitation including a page of sticky return address labels like always show up at Christmas time, ball cap offer, and return envelope (not postpaid). Went in the recycle like all the rest except for Carl's Junior coupons (best hamburger fast food around here...)

 

I sent an email to Gerald Yagen, who I belive is CAF's largest donor. Since he runs the Aviation Institute of Maintenance I'm sure he'll have a greater understanding of the monumental effort the group went through than those that are just pilots. Maybe he can influence the decision.

If anyone else wants to weigh in with him, here's his email address yageng@aviationmaintenance.edu

 

I wouldn't lift one finger to move the plane since you read the letter, legally your team is disbanded, let CAF deal with moving the plane, I'd still take the fuel that you and your guys paid to put in the plane, it's not a part of the plane

 

I'd give that fuel away before I let the CAF have it.

 

I wish I could offer some words of encouragement, but I'm at a loss. This whole thing sucks, I can't imagine pouring that amount of effort into a project only to have it yanked out from under me, what a kick in the balls.

This incident should send a chill to all the other CAF groups and sponsors who poured a chunk of their lives and money into a project with the prospect of a similar outcome.

I can guarantee you this, if you can find the money trail, you'll find the root cause for this debacle. Somewhere, someone, somebody or some entity is getting paid!!

 

Tomorrow, Jim and I are going to Ada.
We are going to tow the plane--------------------WITH LOG BOOKS INSIDE------------------up to the Ada Airport terminal building, park and chock the plane, close up the plane (leaving the key in the door), go back to the hanger, lock up the hanger ------------------WITH EVERYTHING ELSE INSIDE, BECAUSE EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE PLANE BELONGS TO US--------------get in our cars and come back home.
That will be our last official act as CAF members.

 

@DZAUTO Tom, were there any indications of the David Oliver's intended actions prior to the meeting in Dallas? Did they ever give any notice of concerns with the Sierra Hotel group?

 

NOPE!
Prior to the meeting in Dallas a few months ago, NOTHING was ever mentioned about CAF taking the plane away from us.
At the end of the meeting in Dallas, it was mentioned that there would be a follow-on meet in Feb, which did not happen.
This recent notice was just unloaded on us. We (mainly Jim) have worked diligently to come up with an option. But nothing short of giving the plane back to CAF has been acceptable.
As of now, it's a done deal.

 

I wouldn't leave the log books in an insecure plane.
Let him send a courier to pick them up.
Paper trail............

 

Plane can't go anywhere without the logbook. That's a huge no go without the logbook.

 

I imagine they were blindsided. Part of the CAF plan. I'm thinking that if the SH group got wind of what CAF was planning they would have stopped in their tracks.

 

By "SH" I assume you mean Share Holder. Since they're a 501(c) non profit they don't have share holders so basically you have the Board (General) group, the CEO/President, and the volunteer units. That really limits accountability of the leadership group.

 

How could ANY volunteer associated with the CAF in any way, shape, or form, continue their association with these pricks?

This is off-topic and I'll spare you the details, but as a drag racer, I've really become disillusioned with the NHRA. The government needs to take a look at the tax-exempt status of so-called "non-profits." Many (if not most) of these organizations are being used by individuals to enrich themselves, under the guise of charity and/or "non-profit." It's disgusting.

 

The NHRA is a whole different discussion for another thread. I was speaking with a track owner and basically he gets very little from hosting an NHRA event based on how the contract with NHRA works.

 

I think we need to get some exposure in the media.
Any body follow any you tube channels within the aviation community?

I emailed steve lehto at lehto's law.
But who knows if steve will talk about it on his show.

Seriously, if anyone knows of any good socials to email. Do it.

 

The letter from CAF/David Oliver didn't even thank these guys for 26 years of work and for enriching the CAF by turning a $1,500 pile of parts into a fully functional flyable aircraft worth God only knows how much $$$ on the open market. Truly unbelievable.

After 30 years in corporate America, I've come to wonder how people like this even sleep at night - so thankful to be nearing retirement.

 

The letter from CAF/David Oliver didn't even thank these guys for 26 years of work and for enriching the CAF by turning a $1,500 pile of parts into a fully functional flyable aircraft

Mike, I understand your point but I doubt there is even a single part on that aircraft that could be had for $1.5K unless it was a knob to move the seat back and forth.
Aircraft parts & Aircraft are ungodly expensive. A single Aircraft battery is $10K, a wheel and tire combo $5K, an overhaul of a jet engine, overhaul and not replacement $2 million.

Even in the condition they received the Aircraft in I would venture to guesstimate the value at several million. Restored condition unthinkable $$.

 

Its like they have legalized theft in this country. They know that they can afford better lawyers than you can so they do it. My dad was a B-17 pilot in WW2 with the 306th bomb group and flew out of England. He had tons of stuff from those days. Flight suits, gloves, boots, bomber jacket, uniforms, flight logs from flight school and the logs of every bombing mission he was on. Photos and postcards along with the air corp magazines. Before this ordeal I was going to donate that stuff to the CAF museum. Not a chance now. It will be going to the EAA museum in Oshkosh.

 

Its funny they didn't wait until after you guys painted the plane to come and repo it.