From: International Movie Services (ims@telus.net)
Date: Sun Nov 23 2003 - 11:39:46 PST
I agree that the finest method of introducing new enthusiasts to our ranks
is to get out and support public events, even if it means risking paint
scratches and scuff marks to the equipment. There's nothing more gratifying
than talking to the kids that stand in awe of our restorations in the sure
and certain knowledge that one of them may grow up with the same burning
passion to preserve our heritage. We are, after all only caretaking this
stuff during our lifetimes and if we don't foster an interest from those to
which we hope to throw the torch the memories will go with us.
Now if I can just find that Huey??
Ubique!!
Ian
----- Original Message -----
From: <rertman@ix.netcom.com>
To: "Military Vehicles Mailing List" <mil-veh@mil-veh.org>
Sent: Sunday, November 23, 2003 8:50 AM
Subject: Re: [MV] Grounded War Birds - Silver lining to the cloud
> Chris & MV'ers:
>
> I have to disagree with you about keeping those old warbirds flying.
> In all honesty, it warms my ancient heart to see a graceful B-17. B-29,
> etc., make a majestic low pass across the airport; and, for me, nothing
will
> ever match the roar of a piston powered fighter doing its stuff at an air
show.
>
> That said, let me add that nothing saddens me more than hearing about one
> of these magnificent airplanes crashing and being lost forever, including
the
> crew (single seat or 10-man crew). The crew and airplanes are
irreplaceable.
>
> My first solo flight was in a 1939 Mead Primary glider at about 50 mph.
Later,
> at work (Lockheed), I watched the Mach meter go past 3. I've had a love
affair
> with flying machines for as long as I can remember, including a stint as
an
> Army helo pilot. My Dad was one of the founders of the museum at Bradley
> International Airport (BDL) in Windsor Locks, CT. The original
organization
> was The Connecticut Aeronautical Historical Association...dedicated to
> preserving these treasures.
>
> Yes, it's great to see them fly, but it's tragic to lose one. Let's keep
them
> intact and on display where they can be seen, touched and appreciated by
> later generations.
>
> For flight purposes, let's start an organization to build and fly
replicas.
> I, for one, would gladly donate my time and what skills I have, along with
> some money, to accomplish this.
>
> Thanks for the bandwidth. Sorry to be so long winded. As you can see,
this
> issue is near and dear to my heart.
>
> Dick
>
> Chris Davis wrote:
> >
> > I too hope WWII era aircraft will continue to be flown for a long time
to
> > come, and support the efforts of those involved in keeping them in the
air.
> >
> > That said, keeping an intact example or two stashed away in museums may
> > serve more than a "gathering dust" purpose. I remember watching a
> > documentary on the History Channel a month or so ago that covered the
> > effort to replicate the Wright brothers flyer. The folks involved had
to
> > do a lot of searching and estimating to make it happen... turns out the
> > machine hanging in the Smithsonian isn't as entirely complete or
original.
> >
> > A day may come when it's economically viable to produce faithful copies
of
> > WWII aircraft, providing something still exists to lay calipers on.
> >
> > I know... the hand labor involved, expense of the material used, and
> > complexity of the designs probably rule this out. But look at the home
> > built WW I aircraft made today. Would Eddie Rickenbacker have guessed
> > folks would be building replicas of his Spad in their garages some 80
years
> > after WW I ended?
> >
> > Who knows, todays WWII "hanger queens" may prove an invaluable resource
for
> > aerial re-enactors of the 22nd century.
> >
> > Chris Davis
> > MVPA# 20000
> > '45 WC51
> > Centerville, UT
> >
> > ===Mil-Veh is a member-supported mailing list===
> > To unsubscribe, send e-mail to: <mil-veh-off@mil-veh.org>
> > To switch to the DIGEST mode, send e-mail to
<mil-veh-digest@mil-veh.org>
> > To reach a human, contact <ack@mil-veh.org>
>
> ===Mil-Veh is a member-supported mailing list===
> To unsubscribe, send e-mail to: <mil-veh-off@mil-veh.org>
> To switch to the DIGEST mode, send e-mail to <mil-veh-digest@mil-veh.org>
> To reach a human, contact <ack@mil-veh.org>
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.4 : Sat May 07 2005 - 20:26:28 PDT