Glacier Girl to come to the UK?

[Mike]

Picked up this link from over on ARC.

Dear Glaicer Girl Supporter,

A few weeks ago The Lost Squadron Museum transferred ownership of Glacier Girl to Lewis Aeronautical in San Antonio , TX which was facilitated by Provenance Fighters Sales. Originally, we entered into a sponsorship arrangement with Provenance Fighters to complete Glacier Girl's original mission to the United Kingdom. Not long ago, it became obvious to all of us that the logistics and expense of making this trip were going to be enormous -- to the point it would take sizeable additional resources. Unfortunately, raising the significant resources to make the trip involved transferring the ownership of Glacier Girl. Though this was not the family's desire, it was the only way to fully realize our father's dream and ensure the long term support of Glacier Girl.

A year or so prior to his death our father realized he had taken the Glacier Girl project and legacy as far as he could. He knew that with his advanced age and failing health he would need outside assistance and expertise if Glacier Girl's full potential was to be achieved. He then began exploring his options.

Before our father passed away on September 24, 2005 , he was fortunate to have realized his dream of resurrecting and restoring this incredible piece of American history. He had been passionate about restoring the P-38 as a testament to the WWII veterans who bore witness to her majestic silhouette and thunderous engines. He personally funded the tedious 10-year restoration and with tear-filled eyes witnessed its First Flight on October 26, 2002 . Unfortunately, he was never able to behold the completion of Glacier Girl’s original mission. His determination to accomplish this final chapter in her story prompted him to explore options that would carry out his vision. He wanted Glacier Girl to venture into this next level and had begun to gauge the interest of prospective individuals and organizations to make this a reality. It was with this in mind that we decided to fulfill his dream for him.

Our community and volunteers have given generously and we are forever indebted for their devoted support. However, the P-38 Project has struggled for years to underwrite the tremendous cost of maintaining the plane and museum with little outside support not to mention the initial investment to recover and restore Glacier Girl. In spite of recurring high annual expenses, our father insisted the project remain a “free admission” exhibit.

Bringing Glacier Girl to this point was a labor of love for our father. It gave him great satisfaction to share this with veterans, the community, and literally thousands of people who feel a personal attachment to Glacier Girl alongside our family.

Obviously, giving up control of the plane was a bittersweet dilemma for our family and one that we have anguished over for quite some time. It is important to us that we share this historical artifact and preserve its significant place in aviation history. In order to do that, we must ensure Glacier Girl’s financial viability. While our original sponsorship arrangement with Provenance Fighters would provide support initially, we were still faced with supporting the project with significant resources annually when she returned. We could never begin to recoup the full cost of the project and this was never our intention. As our father did, we feel a personal responsibility to protect the future of this treasure.

It has been a heart wrenching decision but we feel a sense of relief knowing that someone with the same enthusiasm and passion as our father will be able to carry on his legacy. Most of all, we want to complete his dream. We hope you share in our vision and will want to follow Glacier Girl as she continues her journey.

With warmest regards,

The Shoffner Family

p.s. Here is some additional information.

• The museum at the Middlesboro Airport will close March 31, 2007.
  
• The on-line Gift Shop is closed for the time being.
  
• The flight to Britian is still on for this summer. The plane will be in Middlesboro sometime in June to get ready for the flight.
  

Makes interesting reading - I'd certainly like to see one of those in the air