Warbird Information Exchange

As I walked around at the Camarillo show last weekend looking for something to read, a thought came to mind as to what was available instead, unprintable in this forum. Rubbish, garbage, two cent trinkets made in China, and not one vendor was selling any books or magazines. Sure there were cool T-shirts and some nice paintings, but I feel a sense of doom, that we in the USA have become so illiterate and dumbed down, that you cannot find any reading material at an airshow! There wasn't even any magazines available at the Challenge Publications booth! WTF???? Remember when the CAF used to sell cool little books detaling the histories of their history and aircraft like "Fifi"? You also used to be able to pick up new and recent issues of their magazine called the Dispatch. But that's all a distant memory. What seems to be available now is just nothing but toys and junk fit for your kids but nothing of interest to intellectuals. It's sad and embarrasing, thank god I can just go to the UK and get some decent books at their airshows, as recent visits to Elvington and Old Warden in 2000 and 2002 have revealed. I'm embarrassed and ashamed, this is a total tragedy.

John Harjo

Hi John H

This is a worldwide factor and not just confined to the US - although we would all like a word about McDonalds , KFC , Starbucks and the Bushes.

Society has turned to illiterate sport obsessed TV watching munchkins

Anyway don't beat the US up too much - it is society that has lost the plot.

Regards
John P

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Air Vice Marshall
Sunshine State Air Farce

I'm surprised you didn't take a shot a Budweiser

When I was in collage I had to do a “get to know people in you class” thing. I asked what books you are reading? I was stared at like some freak. 1 or 2 people could answer that question with some type of intelligent answer.

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www.tailhookstudio.com

HiTimApNy

Never make fun of Beer - people feel close to their beer - Junk food however is another thing all together.

No it is the break down of society - the emergence of self centered "Me first" type of thinking whereby people indulge themselves rather than helping and looking after each other - thats whats wrong. people have no respect or self control or discipline.

I think we all like these forums because they creat a community that is lacking elsewhere..
Anyway I agree with the sentiments being expressed here.

Kindest regards
John P

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Air Vice Marshall
Sunshine State Air Farce

So how wa the air show. I really wanted to go to the Museum when I was out there in April but Just could not fit it in. That was a real bummer for me. I really wanted to see the F6F-5 they have and the Zero in work.

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www.tailhookstudio.com

I too have noticed that most of the items available at airshows tend to be toys and the like. I haven't seen magazines for sale, but the Minnesota Wing of the CAF always has a good selection of books available at their PX trailer. The last time the Arizona Wing visited Minnesota, I picked up an excellent little book about the wing from their PX trailer. Though sadly, this seems to be the exception rather than the rule.

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Dan Johnson

Geneseo was the first show I'd been to where the items weren't various varieties of crap. Geneseo had parts, uniforms, artwork, models, books, etc.... I was quite impressed.

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It might have something to do with the fact that people are generally reading less books than ever. To me thats sad because I am always reading at least one book not to mention a half dozen magazines I get. I believe its a great way to spend time and for me its a stress reliever. I just finished a fantastic book called Shadow Divers about 2 divers who found a previously undiscovered U boat off New Jersey. Anyone else read this book?

One of the things that annoys me is the lack of souvenirs for a specific airshow. The only 'official' thing I was able to purchase from Flying Legends was the programme. No posters, patches, badges, T-shirts, pens, fridge magnets, stuffed bears, balsa gliders...nothing.

Cheers,

Brett

I saw the PBS Special in TV

I was great. One I'd buy, There is a book?

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www.tailhookstudio.com

I'd like to comment from someone who has sold books at airshows. For every one person interested in looking at and/or buying books, there seem to be 50 who are looking for trinkets and have little if any interest in books. The general public probably won't be interested in detailed books. Maybe the pretty picture books sell better. It is not particularly lucrative for book sellers and/or authors; the best thing about it is the few folks you meet who have a genuine interest in the subject and/or vets who know the equipment. I'd be reluctant to buy books at an airshow unless I could get the author's signature. There are better sources out there.

As for why there aren't any airshow specific souveniers, I would say that the cost-ratio benefit isn't there. Too much money invested for a potential loss if the stock isn't sold. The generic stuff probably sells as well as the site-specific stuff, so why risk having leftover stock that can't be sold at the next show? The bottom line is the bottom line...sell more of the cheapest stuff at the highest price possible.