Six years already - we still miss you, Gary.

lmritger · **Posted:** Mon Oct 26, 2015 11:49 am

Those who've been around a while will understand. Can't believe it's been six years already.

I bet he would have loved seeing "Doc".

In memory of our own RetroAviation hero, Gary Austin.

Lynn

Warbird Kid · **Posted:** Mon Oct 26, 2015 12:51 pm

Aw man... how time freakin' flies. So sad. Even though I never had a chance to meet the man, I got the feeling that he was a patient and extremely knowledgeable person. I remember eagerly waiting for the next update on the B-24 thread, then the B-29 thread for a short time. He was a giant here, and will be remembered as long as there is a WIX. We'll never forget you Gary.

RyanShort1 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 26, 2015 1:18 pm

I'm glad I met him. Sad he passed.

Fouga23 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 26, 2015 1:43 pm

Cheers Gary! This place will always be a little bit yours. You are missed!

RandolphB · **Posted:** Mon Oct 26, 2015 1:51 pm

Exchanged e-mails with him a number of times, he was a positive influence when I was working on my A & P. Glad to have had the chance to shake hands with him and chat at Nellis some years ago. Wasn't ware he was a member of the International Formula One race family until recently...and he is remembered there too. He is missed by many....

Steve Nelson · **Posted:** Mon Oct 26, 2015 5:04 pm

It was Gary's "Diamond Lil Makeover" thread that got me on WIX in the first place. I've been thinking for years about building a diorama in 1/144 scale of his fabled "Stratolina.)

:drink3:

SN

DH82EH · **Posted:** Mon Oct 26, 2015 6:58 pm

I have never felt, such a sense of loss, for someone whom, I had never met.

I think of him often. He was a very special, special human being.

I have also wished that I knew his birthday. I would much rather remember that day.

Andy

Brad · **Joined:** Thu Apr 29, 2004 10:30 pm **Posts:** 1132

20 August was his birthday.

CAPFlyer · **Posted:** Mon Oct 26, 2015 9:54 pm

Wow, you're right - time flies. Hard to put into words the effect he had on me in the short time I knew him, but I mostly miss his humor.

For you Gary -

Lynn Allen · **Posted:** Mon Oct 26, 2015 10:42 pm

Every time I check on here I think of him...

Tulio · **Joined:** Mon May 03, 2004 1:05 am **Posts:** 3236

He was as cool as s**t!!!

Remembering you, Gary.

Saludos,

Tulio

K5DH · **Posted:** Tue Oct 27, 2015 8:32 am

Every time I see the CAF's B-24A (whatever her name is this week :wink:

), I think of Gary and get a little choked up. I miss seeing that playful grin (or was it a sly smirk?) that he always seemed to have on his face. There'll never be another one like him. Miss ya, bro!

tulsaboy · **Posted:** Tue Oct 27, 2015 9:01 am

CAPFlyer,
Every time I see a vintage picture like the one you posted, I think to myself "Gary coulda fixed that!"
kevin

Warbird Kid · **Posted:** Tue Oct 27, 2015 9:02 am

Steve Nelson wrote:

It was Gary's "Diamond Lil Makeover" thread that got me on WIX in the first place. I've been thinking for years about building a diorama in 1/144 scale of his fabled "Stratolina.)

:drink3:

SN

Geez, ya know, I had the unfinished 1/144 B-24A model in my hands just yesterday and was looking at it with such fondness. I guess with the untimely passing of Gary, made me just loose a lot of spark, excitement, and interest in that project. But I still regret not finishing the kit during the actual rebuild of the real Diamond Lil.

Sigh... I will finish it in his honor.

wendovertom · **Posted:** Tue Oct 27, 2015 10:06 am

Sigh - Gary was a great guy. I met him only once - on his way to Reno he stopped in at Wendover and we had a chance to chat. He was incredible. His story reminds me about a local radio host who has a saying - hug the people you love when you get home folks!

Tom P.

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Six years already - we still miss you, Gary.

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