RA5C.org 

A RESTORATION PROJECT.

Consideration is being given here in Pensacola to the establishment  of a restoration organization to contribute to the efforts of the National Museum of Naval Aviation in their program to preserve the RA5C.

The Museum has a sponsorship program wherein interested groups can sponsor one of their aircraft.  They presently have about 15 aircraft in this program.  The big time aircraft manufacturers have step forward to sponsor the A4, F/A-18, F4H etc.  There is only one community group that sponsors an aircraft - that is the PBY.

 As shown above, the RA5C at the Museum is on their back flight line and is available for public viewing if one takes their flight line tour.

I took this picture on 13 December.  The bus driver driver allowed me a quick tour of the aircraft as the flight line has limited access because of the events of 9-11.

I did not have time to make a close inspection of the aircraft as to material condition, paint job, canopy, wind droops etc.  A meeting with member of the Museum Foundation indicated that this Vigi may receive a paint job as funds become available.

Buno 156624 is painted in the typical 601 format.  The squadron identified on the side is RVAH-6 with Nimitz the carrier of note.

The purpose of this web layout is to see if there is an interest in the Vigi community to contribute funds to assist the Museum in their program to maintain this RA5C in top notch condition.

We envision a not-for-profit rehab organization, RA5C.Org that would collect the funds and coordinate with the Museum in their preventive maintenance program.

How much is needed to be a sponsor ??

MacDonald contributed $100,000 for the F4.

Douglas, $100,000 for the A-4's

For the PBY, don't know yet.  

In that the Museum has a wide variety of aircraft, the funds need for any one aircraft not a fixed amount.  They quoted $50,000 to me as the base line.

Can we, the Vigi community come up with $50,000 ??

Can the Museum spend $50,000 on this Vigi - we have yet to address that issue.

In any case this is a feeler put.

It is a basic sweep to see if their is an interest in this project.

Maybe, just maybe if we can swing it with funds we can get the Vigi off the back flight line and up near or even in the Museum.

If you are interested drop me a note at  ra5c.org and let me know there is a interest.

Posted on 14 December 2001