Doc Update

I realize that it has been a very long time since you have received any updated news on DOC and the restoration process. Information regarding the KAM situation and a planned hangar has been changing monthly and I was reluctant to give out any information that could be obsolete by the time you received it. To bring you up to date, however, here in an abridged version of a dilemma that we have run into.

One of the changes that has occurred is the discovery that the Kansas Aviation Museum (KAM) building and property have been designated an historical entity. This label means that the existing structure cannot be modified in any way. The facility is controlled by government bodies such as the city government and the National Park Service. Because of this red tape, KAM is unable to build any temporary hangar on the property, even for its own display purposes. Needless to say a hangar, even a fabric hangar, for DOC is out of the question at this time. Unfortunately the airplane is still sitting out on the ramp. Although we are very disappointed with this obstacle, we are seeking to make alternative arrangements to get DOC out of the elements. We are especially concerned about the coming winter months, as well as the spring season which brings with it the fear of infamous Kansas tornadoes. Currently we are exploring temporary shelter ideas within the Spirit, Boeing and McConnel Air Force Base complex.

That said we recently have had an offer to temporarily store the plane in one of the hangars on the campus properties to protect the plane form any inclement weather. Under this arrangement, we cannot work directly on or in the aircraft. This arrangement is solely for storage. However, we are, and will still be, working on other components that need restoration such as the outer wing panels, section 46 belly panel between the Bombay doors, the spar machining, etc. This obviously is a real plus for us since being outdoors on the ramp for the last couple of years was taking its toll on all of our restoration work.

Our plans are to wash the plane down before we store it, continue to work on the various components of the plane and prepare for the installation of these components and subassemblies when appropriate restoration shelter becomes available to us. While this is a setback in time for us, it does present us with a temporary storage opportunity we have not had within the last two years. I will update over time as appropriate.

Thanks for you continuing support for Doc; we only hope that our more permanent facilities at the KAM location moves rapidly in an effort to finally see Doc completed and fly soon.

With the holidays rapidly approaching, I want to wish all a very Merry Christmas and a very healthy and prosperous New Year. We look forward to a better economically secure new year for each one of you and for our country. Thanks again for all your support

Tony Mazzolini



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