Has WIX helped you in your warbird work?

Crew29 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 05, 2008 5:28 pm

WIX has helped both myself and my co-workers at MAAM on several occasions.

Brandon's pics of the Chinese P-61, specifically the tail, have been great. Jack's pics have helped us reference canopy details and antenna locations.
I've gotten help with a side skybolt project. Gary's "how-to" threads are great. I've got a much better impression of who's-working-what-where and WIX helps me stay informed so when the boss comes around with "news," I can act like I know something...

I've learned tons and many on WIX have helped me in-directly. Thanks to everyone and can't wait to evolves from this thread!!

T.J.

warbirdguy · **Posted:** Wed Mar 05, 2008 6:18 pm

Since joining WIX in September 2005 my knowledge in warbirds has grown considerably and continues to do so thanks to the wealth of knowledge this group has to offer. Not only have I been educated, but WIX has allowed me into contact with so many other people who love warbirds. It also allowed me to "come out of my shell" and volunteer with the Collings Foundation (which had been a goal since I first saw the 17 & 24 15 years ago).

JDK · **Posted:** Wed Mar 05, 2008 6:38 pm

Thanks for lots of great responses, and only one runonsentence.

Forums get a lot of bashing often looking at the (real enough) negative side, but it's clear already that WIX has had a major visible, practical effect for a lot of people and aircraft, not to mention the knowledge thing.

warbirdguy wrote:

Since joining WIX in September 2005 my knowledge in warbirds has grown considerably and continues to do so thanks to the wealth of knowledge this group has to offer. Not only have I been educated, but WIX has allowed me into contact with so many other people who love warbirds. It also allowed me to "come out of my shell" and volunteer with the Collings Foundation (which had been a goal since I first saw the 17 & 24 15 years ago).

Just to pick this out, it seems to typify one of the great things about WIX, in that clearly a number of people haven't just been stuck to the keyboard playing at e-warbirds, but have been inspired to go get out there and get practical. Unbeatable. Connections made, and there's a lot of the 'invisible' coming out too; lurkers, PM help, and the times people mention increasing their knowledge. (While remaining humble, of course...

)

More please, and I hope my idea this seems to support has got some legs...

Cheers,

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11328

Crew29 wrote:

WIX has helped both myself and my co-workers at MAAM on several occasions.

Brandon's pics of the Chinese P-61, specifically the tail, have been great.

I'm glad that was useful. My wife was sitting on a bench inside the museum with her mom wondering why I would want to go to a museum like that, especially since I had been there once before 8 years earlier, and also why anyone else could possibly be interested in seeing photos of those old run down aircraft. She does admit to noticing how happy I looked afterwards at least! :lol:

I never looked at this site with the thought that I needed get anything out of it warbirdwise other than entertainment. That I suppose is useful in itself, but not in the manner JDK probably was implying. I have been fortunate to make some good friends here, even though many I have yet to see in person. I have traded, bought or have been GIVEN parts as a result of the relationships I have developed on this forum. The people are what is most important though, not what you give or get out of it.

daveymac82c · **Posted:** Wed Mar 05, 2008 11:59 pm

What have I gotten out of WIX....?

Well, plenty of entertainment and distraction.

Just with my project to try and acquire a PBY Canso for my museum I have made contacts in Melbourne, Duxford, and even far off Nanaimo, BC among other places. I'm getting plenty of help, input, and constructive criticism with the project that I never could have gotten were it not for WIX.

That's only been recently though. Up until now I haven't really had any projects. Thus, I never approached WIX as a place to get help with things, but more a place to learn; and boy have I learned things.

Cheers,

David McIntosh

Chris · **Posted:** Thu Mar 06, 2008 12:48 am

Absolutely, WIX just plane kicks *ss. I love Jacks pics and Garys threads. There's always some useful info and pretty neat stuff. I learned early on though that if there's a spat going on, steer clear and just avoid the thread. I think the moddys do a great job and allow just about everyone to voice their opinions as long as it stays civil. The contributors here are a wildly diverse group held together by a common love of aviation and warbirds in particular. I'll continue to lurk and post as long as momma allows me to play with the computer.

Second Air Force · **Posted:** Thu Mar 06, 2008 12:26 pm

This is a pretty thought-provoking thread, James.

I have enjoyed the eighteen months or so I've been here immensely. I have made some friends and learned a good bit. I only wish I could be more involved, but that's another story for another time.

Thanks to you all!
Scott

Second Air Force · **Posted:** Thu Mar 06, 2008 12:27 pm

Doublepost

tom d. friedman · **Posted:** Thu Mar 06, 2008 5:18 pm

i've sold / bought numerous artifacts via wix, & have had posted requests for info regarding my writing magazine articles. i've always hit pay dirt. the forum members 1 & all are tops. best of all.......i can't even begin to describe the friendships both professional & personal that have been cultivated here!!

Hellcat · **Posted:** Thu Mar 06, 2008 5:35 pm

God yes!!!! ..... it's been a great run for me, WIX seems to have given me an "IN" to the real warbird world. It's so funny now when I go into a bookstore and start brousing through, as I have been calling them since I was a kid, "airplane magazines" and see a few of you guys. I've never met any of you, and probably never want to, because I have to admit, some of you guys are pretty ugly and out of shape ... haha, kidding.

I'm wondering how many of you I will meet at Chino this year. You just better like beer, women and warbirds, or is it women, beer and warbirds? or warbirds, women and beer. How about a woman in the back of my warbird holding my beer. :wink:

Canso42 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 09, 2008 7:29 pm

YES-absolutely, It's motivational, hugely educational and keeps me going between my monthly trips to Lone Star that's 2 1/2 hours away. It's entertaining too and the friendships I've made here add so much to my total warbird experience. Any hobby is tremendously better when you can share and enjoy it with friends.

Doug Ratchford, 'Canso42'
vol Lone Star Flight Museum
member PBY@yahoogroups.com

JDK · **Posted:** Wed Apr 23, 2008 2:02 am

Just a bump for those that might've missed this thread the first time around, inspired by Kevin 'Tulsaboy's post:

tulsaboy wrote:

It is with great excitement that I share here with the WIX community that the Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium has acquired the last remaining Spartan NP-1!
...
For WIX members, the exciting aspect of this transaction is that it was facilitated by WIX members, with contact being made initially through WIX. WIX hall of famer Jack Cook was immensely helpful. I will let the seller reveal himself if he wishes, but suffice it to say he's a regular here. Cool things do happen here! Thank you to everyone who helped out.

More comments welcome.

Scott Rose · **Posted:** Wed Apr 23, 2008 8:20 am

I missed this thread the first time around and I'm glad JDK bumped it. WIX has kept me motivated to keep expanding the Warbirds Resource Group to cover more and more areas and to explore new avenues of information. The Warbird Registry is a direct response to the success of WIX and the people and information found here. It has helped to develop my appreciation for warbirds as well general aviation. I have made many wonderful friends here that have become friends IRL (though they keep moving away...

) The community has also given me a source of pride at what we have accomplished in the past and what we will do in the future.
It can be trying at times, the flame wars in particular, as well as frustrating that I can't seem to find enough time to get through the backlog of e-mails containing pics and info (I'm only 5,000 or so behind right now :shock:

)
I wouldn't trade it for the world though, thanks everybody!

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:30 am

Putting warbirds and other avaition related subjecys aside.
My answer would be simply be a lot of good FRIENDS who came together and helped get myself and my family out of a devastating situation.

Stephanie · **Posted:** Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:45 pm

The knowledge, humor, history, personal stories, etc. available to us on WIX is incredible. Not only that, but WIX has introduced me to some of the most wonderful people I know. I fear I never would have gotten to know them otherwise. What a fun place to interact with others that share the same infectious warbird bug!

:f4u:

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