Warbird Information Exchange

Is on tomorrow.. at Towoomba airfield...

A few planes have cancelled but there will be something to see up there with Vietnam era aircraft of interest i am told.

Tis a shame the RAAF didnt send a F-111, Hercules, Caribou or even a Huey civil would of made it more interesting.

Im flying up at 6am tomorrow morning and taking a few bit of my vietnam gear to show all the public. Most wont have a clue what the pilots wore.. but they will after tomorrow.

Im maybe going for a T-28 flight still open to debate .. my wallet and heart.. think heart will win

I may put some photos up later in week of me in cockpits and displays etc

The May 5th fly in will take place on May 3rd. LOL


Tulio

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Why take the best part of life out of your life, when you can have life with the best part of your life in your life?

I am one of them 'futbol' people.

Will the previous owner has pics of this double cabin sample

GOOD MORNING, WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Press "1" for English.
Press "2" to disconnect until you have learned to speak English.

Sooooo, how am I going to know to press 1 or 2, if I do not speak English????

Tis back after 19hr away.3am rise, 3hr flying, and 7hr driving thru day...

Scored some good photos and a few exclusives.
Thanks for Scott W for the access and time today.
Unfortunately not many full on Vietnam era warbird attended .. only one that passed was a O-1 FAC.

Met Randal McFarlane and got a private tour of his O-1G Birdog and got to sit inside her. Was much appreciated by me.

It was the 1 of 2 turned into a mini Gunship by USAF.. well by FACS anyway... had a tripod mounted M60 set up and fired by pilot from the back seat area. All original markings too.

I asked Randal whens the M60 coming

Must say getting into the cockpit was a tight fit....

The kids he had with him were interested and tried on my flying gear and looked good in photos... hopefully they have the aviation bug..

Then met with John Freedman photographer and let him shoot some exclusive photos of me with the Bdog.
Not everyday you get a special 0-1 FAC and a "vietnam pilot" in same spot
Mgazine hoping there he thinks.

Then i got some own done for my "i was there" proof.

Then after that Gary Cooper - RAAF FAC legend...... MOH nearly...arrived and topped the day off.

Got a exclusive photo with me and him under the wing.
Very privilleged to met such a fascinating man and i let him know that.
He then flew the birdog back to Brissy.

After that i had to leave early due to issues and headed back and dropped in on the AirLand show but was late and didnt wana stay so got going home. Did see the Yak 52 Zero get shot down... didnt know they had a airstrip there too..

Will try post some photos this week.

I have a few hours sleep tonight then back to work i think.

Here a very quick scan of the display i did yesterday. More will come this week of the aircraft and other stuff.

Im wearing what a typical O-1 and T-28 pilot would of worn in Vietnam.

So O-1 got the attention yesterday... and Gary Cooper dropped in.

http://s194.photobucket.com/albums/z267 ... 20display/

Heres the gallery..

As someone told me yesterday - interesting why no one else is doing this renacting in Australia .....yet renacting is big time overseas.
Hopefully it will get more attention as the years progress.

The "Go Fast" boys get all the glory and the girls! The FAC guys take it low and slow!

Cool stuff man. I like the pictures.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Cool pics

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Long Live the N3N-3 "The Last US Military Bi-Plane" 1940-1959
Badmouthing Stearmans on WIX since 2005

The reason why renacting aviation flight gear is so uncommon in Australia is that only diehard people with collection wanting to put the fragile items into public arena and ones that can find the time etc.

I know of only 3 others and they hardly do it.

I have attended 4 airshows in last 6months and no one else does this i was told and seems no one else is wanting to share their gear.
Yet in UK you can virtually get a entire bomb wing of renactors.

Then again its never really had the interest here.
Only army renacting stuff gets people going "cool they have a gun" factor.... everyone forgets the pilots...

To show how poor the turnout of displays can be.. most of my american alse collector mates...only 2 put their collection on show at airshows, the rest refuse to harm their priceless collection.

I have already damaged some items from past displays but that the risk you take.. flying a warbird is the same.

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James K

"Switch on the underwater landing lights"
Emilio Largo, Thunderball.

www.VintageAeroWriter.com

Don't worry, most real pilots ensure they're fully 'memorable'. Forgetting the pilots isn't a real concern in aviation history. It's everyone else that is in danger of getting forgotten.

Err, no it's not.

It's a good thing, IMHO, to show people the 'real stuff' from any era, as it often brings home aspects of real-life in history that wouldn't be appreciated in other ways. For that, I appreciate taking the effort in bringing your hobby to the public - but don't over-egg it.

Regards,

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James K

"Switch on the underwater landing lights"
Emilio Largo, Thunderball.

www.VintageAeroWriter.com

I'm sorry JDK, I probably didn't word my response to accurately show what I was trying to say. I wasn't accusing anyone of looking silly, I meant to say that I personally wouldn't re-enact because I'd feel like a twit.

I collect militaria and I have examples of all British and Commonwealth infantry rifles from 1815 to 1953. I also have a collection of uniforms and equipment. If I was to try and explain history, I'd be far more interested in displaying my uniforms with mannequins than wearing one myself. I don't think I could get the point across alone, and there isn't really the population density in Australia that I'd be able to find many like-minded people to get a group together.

Displays with information boards, uniform setups and accompanying gear can be helpful at airshows, but I reckon in Australia, there'd be ridicule and suspicion of a lone re-enactor.

I've spoken with veterans, and have found little support for people wearing uniforms to which they aren't entitled.

I used to enjoy dressing up, as a teenager I loved sitting in the Moorabbin P40 or Beaufighter, pretending and dreaming of flying. It doesn't appeal to me now, however.

Cheers,
Matt

A note for accuracy and comfort. Most AF pilots will clip the cross-chest strap and leave the leg straps clipped and hanging unused behind their back ... until just before entering the aircraft. Reason being, when adjusted properly, one should be unable to stand up straight with the crotch straps attached. Upon exiting the bird, the straps are one of the first things to go. Clip them back to the harness to avoid hearing the clink, clink, clink of the two buckles banging together as you walk ....

Ken

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"Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves."

Well all the veterans ive talked to and offered my services to want to see MORE renactors to ensure their legacy isnt forgotten.

Take a look at Anzac day, reserve forces day and other memorial days in Oz.
How many different renactors you see?

Hundreds all army .. thats the problem..... people are accustomed to norm and when a RAAF renactor comes on scene .. first of it type people will be bit curious.

Take my Korean Mustang display last year.
Hardly any one at Coff Harbour had any clue what the Mustang RAAF pilots did or wore in combat. I had to explain to people..learning curve for most..

As i said ive done now 4 airshows in 12months. ... it takes time for museum, public and others to understand what i am doing helps to add some "life" to airshows in Australia which are missing some of the olden days touch to it.

As another told me recently.. what your doing is good i pity you tho.. going to take a long time to make publc get interested more but obviously your on the right track..

When i advertised my service in first week i had 7 airshow in touch with me. So far ive committed to 2-3 of these and others didnt get back yet.
Like a warbird unless flown NO one going to know its out there...

So without renactors of ANY type .. modern public of today has no concept of history.

THat is what drives the US and UK massive industry of renacting.. whole online shops sell only gear for renactors...

I have seen around 200 renactor groups on line in US and Europe.
There a few in Australia .. one lot was down the road at Heildon Spa war show yesterday and the crowd im told loved their renacting.

Thanks for the clarification and the further comment helps. FWIW, I agree.

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James K

"Switch on the underwater landing lights"
Emilio Largo, Thunderball.

www.VintageAeroWriter.com

great to see Phil with my Bird Dog in his period gear. It really adds to the scene..

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..defeat is never an option!