Warbird Information Exchange

People that we knew did ask us where we going, we just replied "shopping ! "

If I had been one of those kids, my mom or dad would have jerked a knot in me that would have given me whiplash. Whether it's a million dollar airplane or somebody's $300.00 automobile, the key phrase is " don't touch, it's not yours". I try to teach this to my child about anything, whether it's momma's handbag or pencils on my desk. She can ask to use or touch them.

Famous quotes heard at airshows;

" How'd ya'll get this here ? "

" How long did it take ya'll to put this together ? "

One of my personal favorites;

Man says to small child, "Grandson, there'll never be an airplane as fine as this B-29",...said as he slaps the tire on a B-17 !

Of course a common question asked while manning the question line with the A-26;

"Is this the one they call the Widowmaker ? " or " What's the difference between a 25 and a 26? ". That last one is asked over and over in the course of a weekend.

-Wake up at 0-dark-thirty, make myself presentable (a chore for me) wolf down a continental "breakfast" (watery OJ, last year's cornflakes, or hockey pucks masquerading as muffins.)

-Be on the ramp at 0800, getting dirty looks from the guys with photo passes because I'm interrupting their shots by doing petty stuff like "walking props" or "wiping down oil"

-Bake (or Freeze) on the ramp, ending up a beautiful shade of bright pink from a Sun burn or a Wind burn because the Sky Soldiers are using those giant green leaf blowers to clean the ramp

-Answer where the bathrooms are, and break the hearts of every airshow visitor when I tell them that the Blue Angels won't be here.

-Be treated to the absolute worst versions of "In the mood" or "Sing Sing Sing" played ad nausea over a PA system that was government surplus in 1931. I believe there is a conspiracy among the record labels to see who can produce the worst versions of those two songs. Seriously, would it kill you to dig up some Artie Shaw? Maybe some Tommy Dorsey? Think of the children...

-Answer where the bathrooms are, and break the hearts of every airshow visitor when I tell them that the Blue Angels won't be here.

-Get a civil liberties lesson from someone who has the god-given right to smoke a cigarette while standing on top of a leaking 55 gallon drum of gasoline if they should so desire.

-Enjoy a healthy, nutritious meal of airshow food (fried onions and peppers are on the same level as broccoli, right? Remember kids: Sausage is a vegetable.)

-Get a lesson in tax law which explains to me how income taxes paid by a person born after 1960 covered the cost of an airplane built in 1945, and why said taxes should make touring and flying in said aircraft all complimentary.

-Apologize to irate parents for rudely suggesting their child should remain behind safety lines. Their precious snowflake should be allowed to get as close to moving props, hot exhaust pipes, and dripping oil as they want. See also: tax codes.

-Answer where the bathrooms are, and break the hearts of every airshow visitor when I tell them that the Blue Angels won't be here.

-Get back to the hotel and try to get a decent nights sleep knowing that you have to repeat all of the above the next day.

"My pit bull can eat your honor student",

As silly as it may seem, Fouga, your issue with the security nazi is exactly why we wear a flight suit when we are with the aircraft at an airshow.