Valiant Air Command TBM Avenger N108Q
Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 7:27 pm
On Saturday March 29th, 2014, TBM Avenger N108Q flew for the first time after being in restoration for over 10 years at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum. The pilot was Michael B. Dunkel and he flew it out of the Space Coast Regional Airport in Titusville, Florida. Mr. Dunkel is a member of the Valiant Air Command and donated large sum of money for the restoration of that TBM Avenger.
But the interesting part is that it could not be confirmed that that Avenger received any FAA inspections prior to that flight. This is according to one of the directors of the Valiant Air Command. In addition, Mr. Dunkel will soon start his 5-year prison sentencing for his $4.4 Million take of a $30 Million NASA contract fraud scheme. So it's possible that that money he donated to restore that TBM Avenger came out of that $4.4 million from that NASA contract fraud scheme.
In addition he purchased a L-39 Albatross jet painted up like a Blue Angels airplane. He once stored it at the Valiant Air Command Museum but recently moved it down to South Florida. It was registered to a M&P Dunkel, LLC in Helena, MT but that registration was changed to an address in Naples, Florida. The address is for a Sandy B. Stuckley.
It's a shame when WWII aircraft were restored with ill gotten money. And it's another shame where the Commander of the Valiant Air Command is protecting Mr. Dunkel.
But the interesting part is that it could not be confirmed that that Avenger received any FAA inspections prior to that flight. This is according to one of the directors of the Valiant Air Command. In addition, Mr. Dunkel will soon start his 5-year prison sentencing for his $4.4 Million take of a $30 Million NASA contract fraud scheme. So it's possible that that money he donated to restore that TBM Avenger came out of that $4.4 million from that NASA contract fraud scheme.
In addition he purchased a L-39 Albatross jet painted up like a Blue Angels airplane. He once stored it at the Valiant Air Command Museum but recently moved it down to South Florida. It was registered to a M&P Dunkel, LLC in Helena, MT but that registration was changed to an address in Naples, Florida. The address is for a Sandy B. Stuckley.
It's a shame when WWII aircraft were restored with ill gotten money. And it's another shame where the Commander of the Valiant Air Command is protecting Mr. Dunkel.