Fantastic FW 190 video

[Bewolf]

Well, I think the debate has run it's course, just a couple points. I still disagree because I think you debate from a very narrow POV that puts preservation above all else and I think that should be put into perspective.

Planes like the Bell X and the Spirit of St. Louis are one of their kind and intended to be from the very start. They were built for a one special purpose, cross the Atlantic, break the sound Barrier. I do not think that compares to aircraft geared for serieal production.

Also, there are a few airplanes out there that were so ground breaking that their achievements are to be preserved at all costs, like the Wright Flyer (first powered aircraft), the Fokker E.I (first real fighter aircraft), Junkers F13 (First all metal aircraft), the FW200 (first trans-atlantic passanger aircraft) the Me262 (first jet), the SR71 (speed!) or the F117 (first real stealth aircraft), as they defined the future of flying in general. Keeping some of those also is of the highest importance.

Then there are airplanes that also defined the future, but are unfit for safe flying even if they were restored to flying condition, like the Go229 or the Salamander, due to the inherent design problems. Those also are no options.

Then there are aircraft that were in serial production, but individual aircraft nevertheless made history, sometimes because being piloted by famous people, sometimes because they became a symbol, sometimes because records were broken or their presence in important operations or events, the list goes on.

All these aircraft were important for humanity as a whole as they, in one way or another, had a direct and sometimes profound impact on history.

Lastly, there are some airplanes that were in serial production and the only reason why they are so valuable is that there aren't a lot of them left. That is their only achievement. The D13 or the Spad, for example, are in this category. These planes fought in a war amongst hundrets or thousands others. The D13 may be a bit more special because so few were built, but the sole reason for that was the end of the war and a lack of ressources. I more then understand the will to preserve their technical aspects, but imho, and stated several times before, that worth only counts to a very very small circle of people that have a way above average interest in their construction. And those very few people would be the only ones being sad if that plane was lost, most people would not even hear the news. If we talk about historic value, move away from the trees to actually see the forrest, their real potential is to carry on the impression and expirience of those "wars", which they can't by just sitting around.

P.S. That Flugwerk D9 is to be powered by an Allision engine. Nice to see it in the air but as usual, not coming close to the real deal.