Comments and Letters

I've received a number of letters of support as a result of my website, and gleaned others from various message boards and chat rooms.  I've received nothing negative.  Herewith, a sampling.

Hello Robert

BRAVO on your piece on your web site on the controversy on the  Museum  of Flight's Constellation! It should go to Seattle and I do  hope that  the Canadian authorities don't get dragged in to this  and sidelined  into stopping the export to the Museum of Flight. As  you and I both  know it is the BEST place for the beautiful old  lady, without doubt.

I did a piece on it for my regular column in Aeroplane Monthly at   which time I was unsure of all the facts but did correspond with  Doug  Champlin and the museum's PR guy. I will follow this up very  soon and  draw attention to the excellent piece on your web site.  Let's hope we  can bring an end to this nonsense and get the  aircraft to Seattle  without undue further delay.

For what it's worth you have my support and admiration for helping   rescue this grand old lady of the skies,

Warmest regards

Paul Coggan
Contact! columnist AEROPLANE Magazine (IPC Media) UK

When I asked permission from Paul to make his letter public, he responded:

Hello Bob

Go for it! I'm very happy to stand behind what I have said to you in  private in a public forum. I have seen this scenario so many times  before, where no one is really interested until someone else takes up  the mantle then the bleating starts! I will forward the comments I  propose to run in Aeroplane to you very shortly. Both you and MoF  deserve support on this one - clearly the aircraft is NOT going to  get the attention it deserves in Canada. Like you I have no axe to  grind with our Canadian friends but enough really is enough.


Regards

Paul

From  friend Gord  in Vancouver - former head of Nordair Dispatch and Flight Planning

Hi Bob
'Old Gord' here....
This is a fabulous account of the Connie situation. How well I remember flying the Atlantic on many occasions on one of the Nordair 1049-H Connies; complete with 'tip tanks' and all. It surely was a great aircraft and so beautiful to see in flight. (I also remember what it was like when the switch was made to 'Hi Blower') You have done a great job and this is one Canadian who is very happy to see what is happening with this project. Good luck in its completion, and best regards to you and Dot.
Cheers
Gord 

Robert

I came across your www pages via a link from Ralph Pettersen's Connie site.
All this TCA Connie "argument" is a pain in the a**. Just can't wait for
you guys to get the 1049 in Seattle!
I worked as a volunteer on the 'Swiss' Connie, N73544 for a week while it
was in Camarillo, CA - great fun, but HARD work.
Must get myself over the MoF sometime and check out the Comet as even here
in the UK they are a rare thing.

All the best

Mike

Mike Zoeller

London, WC2R 2PG. United Kingdom.

Bob,
    I've updated my website to include a short news piece and link to
your website.  You did a very nice job in presenting your facts.  Good
luck with the project.
Ralph Pettersen

Ralph's Connie Website here:  http://www.conniesurvivors.com/1-connie_news.htm

Comment from Canada

I cannot begin to express how wrong I think this
is. An honest buyer and an honest seller have entered into an
agreement. Now the state wants to interfere with a binding contract and
offer the aircraft to someone else at their whim. Maybe the seller
didn't want the noted Canadian museum to have the aircraft? Maybe the
Canadiam museum didn't want to make a reasonable offer because they
didn't realize there was any competition? This essentially puts the
aircraft up for auction after the fact, only the "state approved buyer"
already knows the auction results. This is completely unfair!
Comment from Canada
The Connie has sat for many years on display and now finally she has a chance to go to a good home that can hopefully place it under cover. I feel it is wrong to try and put a hault to this effort and try and have her remain in canada. Does TAM have the means of restoring it and placing it under cover? I would think that they are hard pressed with the Lancaster project right now. If she was to stay with a Canadian museum then I would put her with the Museum in Ottawa.

I have to laugh over this Canadian heritage guise which comes into play everytime a major aircraft is to be exported out of the country. Look at the uproar about the B24 out East and also the carryon over that B17 in the Lake.

If people are that concerned over their aviation heritage than have a look in our own back country and see the wrecks that are being left to the elements. Look at the Lincoln in Watson Lake for example. Granted she is not a Canadian built aircraft but did stirling service with the WEE flight under difficult conditions. After an accident she was left in pieces in and around her crash site.
I wonder if someone from the UK was to come and salvage her and take her home would there be such and outcry?

Comment from U.K.

Ah, Canada....the epitome of a spoiled child. The Connie was there for several years, and when it is going to be put in a proper museum, under great care, they start throwing a temper tantrum. Just like a child who doesn't play with a toy, but when someone else shows interest, throws themselves down on the ground in a tantrum because it is THEIR toy, even though they never bothered to take care of it.
As for Canada "wanting something from the propeler age" (not sure of exact quote), well how many prop airliners did they scrap, or allow to be scrapped, before they decided that they needed one? So is Canada now going to let it sit, dismantled, while they try to fight to keep it? Great show of caring for a icon from a bygone era.

Canadian  reply to above letter:

 Oh I think that is uncalled for. You shouldn't paint all Canadians with the same brush. Besides, you know the saying about glass houses don't you?

As a Canuck I had a chance to write a letter to protest the move of the airframe. I will not do so. The TAM had their chance and struck out, now the MoF is stepping up to bat.

Mike
From Ontario, Canada

 As far as I am concerned there are no losers as long as it goes to Seattle, because it will be well taken care of there (having visited that museum). If it were to go to the TAM it would likely sit outside for a while since they really don't have the space for it anyway.

From Virginia

I would have loved to have seen it stay in Canada given such a strong Canadian connection with this particular air frame. However, it doesn't seem that there was any way to properly look after the air frame in doors for a long time. It's suffered outside for long enough. I also feel that the transaction with the Museum of Flight is a done deal, and should not be interfered with. If the local museum had wanted it that badly, then they should have offered an appropriate price. Besides, the Museum of Flight is a perfect destination for this air frame... they are sure to look after it well.

From Hamilton, Ontario

Hi all--

I concur with Mike...the basic issue with the Connie (as with any light-alloy structure) is that for its longterm survival it must be kept indoors, and there is no immediate likelihood of TAM being able to facilitate that, while Seattle can and will. In a more perfect world CF-RNR/TGE would remain in Canada under cover; in the world we're actually living in, Seattle seems to be the best home for the Connie...

Thanks, Richard, for the note of support. Three Canucks have now weighed-in here with the opinion that the Connie's best interests mean a move to Seattle, so obviously views are less rigid North of 49 than it might seem!

Robert,

VERY well done indeed! Your information is highly appreciated and I know
it will clear the air for many folks! I for one, have always been impressed
with the MOF and their capabilities and tenacity... and this is yet another
example of why I continue to support all that the MOF does. When I worked
for the Collings Foundation, I was continually impressed with the working
relationship between the museum and the CF when the B-17 & B-24 were on
hand. I know that same relationship extends to many more museums, organizations,
and countries as your information proves. Best wishes on the endeavor and
all my hope for a successful, timely, and inexpensive resolution to the
issues that remain!

Sincerely,
Ryan Keough

From the U.K.

Hi, via Ralph Pettersen, I've just read the section of your website dealing with the Canadian L1049G.
 
As a result, I'm convinced now that the best future for the aircraft is for it to go to the MoF, which, incidentally, I visited in September 2005, as well as your restoration facility at Everett. I was very impressed.
 
Re your first flight having been in a Super Connie: well my second flight was in an Air France L1049G, in August 1962, from London Heathrow to La Baule in France. ............

My father then possessed a cine-camera and-wait for it!-he filmed me, my mother and my other sister getting on board the aircraft (very clearly an AF L1049G), then further filmed it taxiing out and taking off! It's only about a twenty second fragment of film (without sound) at the end of a five minute cine-film of our holiday in La Baule, but when I unearthed it in about 1973, I was amazed and delighted, to say the least!

.................I recently got my first flight, as an adult, on a Connie, the SCFA one-what an experience!
 
So, kind regards from another propliner enthusiast.
 
From the Netherlands

Hello Robert,
 
With interest I have read yr story about yr LOVE for the Connie.
My story is quite similar. My dad flew Connie as Flight Engineer for KLM for about 15 yrs (1947-1962).
I had my first flight ever as a 7yr old kid on a KLM 1049G during a training flight in 1962.
I became a flight engineer for KLM on the DC-10 and today I'm flying as Capt on the B737 for KLM.
 
My big love is our museum pride,   N749NL, the Dutch -749 museum connie. http://www.aviodrome.nl/
At the moment I am busy studying to get my old job as volunteer F/E on this Connie.
From Vancouver, B.C.

I just read about the Connies in an airplane book a few days ago and decided to see what was on the 'net.  To hear that the Seattle museum is getting one is fantastic!!! I love the museum and I am a member.  I was shown around the restoration centre just when the Comet had come in - wow!  I used to live in Toronto and am now in Vancouver.  We don't have ANYTHING like that up here and I couldn't believe some idiots would try and get in the way of such a great museum acquiring the Connie.  Canadian heritage? - get real.  If you tried to get your hands on an Avro Arrow (which it seems we treated only slightly less well than this Connie) I could understand people being upset but this is just crazy.  I hope you get it down there ASAP and give it the TLC it deserves.  This is one Canadian who doesn't mind 90 minutes in the car to go and see aircraft displayed and cared for properly.  Best of luck!

Craig Sheridan
Ken Mist - Toronto resident and TAM Volunteer maintains an active website here:  http://www.eyeno.net/

Some of his comments:

Updates on the Super Constellation move

July 22, 2007 | In Aviation News | No Comments

Robert Bogash, dedicated volunteer of the Museum of Flight in Seattle has been a driving force in the transfer of the Super Constellation 1049G from Toronto to the West Coast.  Bob and I have exchanged emails off and on for over a year and he’s been sending me updates on the progress of the Connie.

A detailed assessment of the condition of the airframe has taken place in Rome New York.  Pictures of the process are available here. Also of interest are details of the move.

The battle for ownership got very heated in the final stages and, as a volunteer at the Toronto Aerospace Museum, I felt some personal involvement in the whole process.    However, now that the Connie is on her way to restoration and display, I really wish Bob and the Museum Of Flight good luck and success.

******************************

The Connie - An Update

March 20, 2006 | In Flying Is Fun | No Comments

After my last update regarding the dismantling of the Super Constellation that has lain neglected near Pearson Airport outside Toronto, I received a comment from Robert Bogash, Constellation Project Manager with the Museum Of Flight located in Seattle Washington.

Mr. Bogash took me to task for using the word “Scavengers” in my post title and passed along information regarding the museum’s long battle to secure the Connie, clean it up and move it to permanent display along with their other acquisitions which include the original Air Force One Boeing VC-137B, the 747 prototype and a Concorde. He is a dedicated volunteer and former Boeing employee and I apologized for suggesting that the aircraft was being torn apart or treated badly.

Bob maintains a website that is chronicling the project to restore CF-TGE.

The Museum Of Flight’s website has plenty to see and it looks like a worthwhile place to visit. I’m going to follow their progress closely and I would like nothing more than to be on hand when the Connie is unveiled.

Once again, I apologize to Robert Bogash and his associates and I wish them well in their endeavours.

From a discussion board:

YYZYYT  From Canada, joined Apr 2005, 418 posts, RR: 0
Reply 1, posted Tue Jun 6 2006 16:38:54 UTC+1 (5 months 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 343 times:   

several weeks ago I notices that it was sitting in peices in a parking lot just to the north of the airport. I guess that's why it's still there.

************
As of this past weekend, it's still there.

If you stand facing outbound at the departure end of 33R (facing north-ish from Derry Rd) you can see it over on the left hand side of the farmers field.

Hopefully it will remain in Canada and somehow be incorporated into the new Spotters Facility at YYZ (okay, no law against wishing for miracles)  smile

More realistically, I would like to see the Downsview Museum acquiring it and making good use of it by displaying another piece of Canadian history.

******************

Sad. The Canadians weren't the least bit interested in the aircraft until a US museum got clear title to it, bought it and then dissassembled it. Then, the Canadians deny the owners the right to export it. Now, it will sit and rot.

For more info (and facts) see: http://www.rbogash.com/connie.html and http://www.rbogash.com/connie_story.html

******************

Hi Aero, I have to agree with you.

It's a shame that the aircraft was left to rot until there was outside interest and indeed a sale of the aircraft.

My comments were more of a personal nature in that "if" the aircraft was to remain in Canada, then this is what I'd like to see done with it.

Fair is fair and the Seattle Museum should get the aircraft which they have legally purchased, no question.

********************

I was saddened to see this beautiful aircraft left to rot in Toronto. I drove past her everyday and I always hoped to see that someone would show enough interest to do something about it.

I would love to see this aircraft restored and put on show for all to see. I would also love to see her stay in Canada, but not if that means that she is neglected and left to rot to pieces. It is obvious that the people that have bought her really want to look after her.

If she was a child or an animal, we would not want her left with a guardian that showed no interest for her future well being. I think that as Canadians who love aviation and want the best for this piece of history, we should let her go to the home that will treat her the best and guarantee her future.

She will always be missed at YYZ but I think it is sadder to see her in her present condition.

just the opinion of a person who loves all airplanes!!

*******************

From Canada, joined May 2005, 267 posts

Sad. The Canadians weren't the least bit interested in the aircraft until a US museum got clear title to it, bought it and then dissassembled it. Then, the Canadians deny the owners the right to export it. Now, it will sit and rot.

 My guess is these cultural busybodies probably haven't got the cash or connections to ensure that the plane is restored and maintained properly. I'm tempted to believe that the plane would be better off in an American museum where there would be more interest and more money for such a thing.

Perhaps displaying the Connie in the TCA colors would be an acceptable compromise.

********************

It will be displayed in TCA colors and it will be just two hours south of the border. If the US dollar keeps sinking vs. the Canadian dollar, it will become really cheap for you folks to come visit.

Its interesting that despite the denial of an export permit, the museum retains ownership. According to the web pages I pointed at, they have a good storage facility outside Toronto and they intend to sit on the aircraft until they can export it. I hope this happens - I donated money towards all this.

As a side note, its funny that they can stop the export of an object, but the real Canadian resource, talent, keeps flooding across the border.

*********************

Good. We're in agreement then. Let's give the damn plane to the Museum of Flight (a superb facility) and have them restore it and display it in old TCA colours. I see nothing but a win-win-win scenario here.
One win for the Museum in acquiring a beautiful aircraft and being able to display her so well; the second win for the aircraft itself being restored and brought back almost 'to life'; and the third win for the visitors - including the hordes of Canadians - that will view her with a tinge of pride.
And we can add a fourth win (selfishly) for me because I live a heck of a lot closer to BFI than YYZ and would benefit more.

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