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Q: If you don't succeed in raising the money, will I get a refund?A: If that is your desire, no problem... just let us know. However, we would hope you might consider thinking of it as a general contribution to our goals... either to save this Whale, or another EA-3B at Davis-Monthan and Raytheon, for seed money for future acquisition opportunities, to pay for the costs associated with those operations, or to otherwise help with our mission to preserve our history and educate the public about it. We follow the US Marine's creed of "doing more with less" and we take seriously our responsibility to use all contributions effectively and wisely to work towards our stated goals. Q: Will this plane ever fly again?A: Unfortunately, no... It would be cool to see this plane fly again but it's simply not feasible or possible to do so for any number of reasons. However, even on the ground, this aircraft is very valuable as a static display and educational tool. We intend to restore her to the best condition possible so that future generations can see, learn about, and appreciate her reconnaissance history with the VQ squadrons. Q: If the Alabama doesn't get this plane, are there alternates sites that will take her?A: Yes. We have coordinated with the Fort Worth FAC Museum who would love this plane. However, because this jet is pier side, it makes more sense to leave the surfaces intact and do a ship to shore transfer. Overland shipping is much more expensive and complicated requiring more detailed preparation that is better suited by an aircraft from Davis-Monthan or flown in from Raytheon when they cease A-3 operations. If we don't restore her and she stays at Rota, eventually she could be destroyed for her scrap value. Q: I'd like to help, but I don't have much money. Are there other ways to help?A: Certainly! First off, ANY amount of money will put us that much closer to our goal, so don't feel embarrassed if you're not able to send a lot. Every bit helps! But aside from money, there are many other needs... we will need volunteers for disassembly, transportation, volunteers to take her off the barge, and of course volunteers to help reassemble and restore her once she's in Alabama. Right now, one of the most helpful things you can do is simply SPREAD THE WORD to all your friends about our needs... the more folks who know, the more likely we are able to raise the money to save this veteran. Remember, time is growing short! Q: What happens a few years down the road?A: Well, Nostradamus hasn't returned his voicemails lately so we don't have exact predictions of the future yet. However, the primary immediate goal is acquisition and restoration to a displayable condition. Next, we work on the details such as paint or smaller details. Long-term, there are various goals such as preventive maintenance and restoration, periodic cleanings, and general support for the museum housing this Whale. Above all, the guiding principle is to treat this and all of our Skywarriors with the respect they deserve. Many of our A-3’s are on permanent loan status, the terms of which include certain minimum requirements that must continue to be met in order to retain eligibility to keep the aircraft. We have every intention of supporting museums so they continue to meet those obligations, not just because the government says they have to, but because it's simply the right thing to do to preserve the airplane for future generations. We want our grandchildren's grandchildren to be able to see, touch, and experience these valuable displays. Q: I checked my logbooks and I have time flying in or working on this plane... are you interested in my records or stories?A: Absolutely! We'd definitely love to hear from anyone with a personal connection with this aircraft... 90% of aviation history isn't about a particular aircraft itself, but the people connected to it. Let us hear about it! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
