<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rhboyd @ Dec 1 2006, 02:28 PM) [snapback]1369707[/snapback]</div>
aw man... so pretty... the MR that is... the Smithsonian... the real one... looks like a cheap whore... too much makeup...
Someone should really bring her in from the cold and clean 'er up.
thanks SO much for the pics, CD... awesome...
-r.
[/b]
No problem.
If you want to see the the real one cleaned up.
I would suggest writing someone like Paul Allen, perhaps via the sci fi museum, or whatever means we think we can reach him. Inviting him to extend an offer to the Smithsonian to sponsor a much needed restoration.
I have learned *a little* how such things work straight from the horses mouth so to speak. And someone like Mr. Allen (Any other big shots too we can think of) would likely not be turned down.
A polite simple request, that she needs attention and updating as more accurate information has come to public light. No point berating and being overly critical of the last restoration. That wont help us.
To make a long story short, I had a rare opportunity and I did my best and planted a seed and the right person at the Smithsonian knows who to talk to if they ever do decide to restore her.
As you can imagine, they are pretty busy with real aerospace hardware restoration, preservation and education programs, remodeling and all are under budgetary constraints.
A big name donor/sponsor with a pet project (Our Big E) is what we are after to make it happen.
That is my conclusion from my best efforts on this from a few months back. And the timing may be good right now.
So lets write a few letters.
