Warbird Information Exchange

Well, it took me long enough... but finally made it to 1000 posts on here! I guess I could try and chalk it up to quality vs. quantity, but I'm afraid that's not the case...

When I look back at the past seven years that I've been part of WIX in some way or another, there's a lot of happy memories! I know that sometimes the sourness and strife allows us to forget the good stuff, but when we all think really hard, we can see that the good stuff really does outrank the bad (which is only louder, not greater in number).

I thought I'd sit down this afternoon and recall some of the great stuff that's happened to me since being part of WIX that can be directly drawn to WIX... so here it goes:

* Found WIX in the old, post-Warbirds-Worldwide-forum-refugee format as was researching things for my new job at the Collings Foundation. It went from an idle, once-a-week check to a many-visits-a-day habit within a week!

* So impressed with the content of the forum and the accuracy of the news and information from the members, that I sent a B-17 flight certificate to Scott after learning he'd never flown on a warbird, in thanks for creating such a great place.

* Reconnected with many people from my early days of warbirds at the National Warplane Museum and 1941 HAG, most notably AirJimL2 (Jim Bates) who I had met many, many years earlier!

* Was invited to Maine to meet Col. Rohr, Tulio and Scott for the first time, but ended up getting very very ill and slept through the time window when Scott was supposed to pick me up from a rest-stop in Portsmouth, NH. To this day I regret the fact I haven't met Tulio in person!

* Invited by Mike and Catherine Henniger to Ottawa with Scott to attend Canada Day festivities at the National Museum of Aviation and on Parliament Hill. Treated to fantastic hospitality by Mike and Catherine, met Steve T in person and also met JDK in person... all the way from the other side of the world. That trip remains one of my fondest memories.

* Countless Geneseo Airshows with great friends from here... both before, during, and after the airshows. Too many great memories to list here!

* Several great trips with Scott to Albany to see Tim and Kelly Cox and enjoy local museums like Rhinebeck and ESAM as well as enjoy Kelly's great cooking, Tim's great brewing along with their great hospitality and kindness!

* Posted a job for a Ride Coordinator for the Wings of Freedom Tour to WIX and was contacted by a fellow member... JimH and met him in person for the first time when I picked him up from the Orlando airport to deliver him to Fantasy of Flight where the bombers were on display. Little did I realize how much that posting would change the course of his life... as he now celebrates six seasons with the Collings Foundation and is now one of their primary pilots! Great job Jim!

* During the few years that the Daniel Webster College Aviation Heritage Festival took place, the WIX fan-club was always in great attendance... including Ken and Shannon, Scott (as always), Col. Rohr, Cindy, Tim and Kelly, Bill and Sanna, and quite a few others on occasion... remind me!

* Was given an opportunity to be part (online) of a terrific saga as the CAF B-24 changed from Diamond Lil to Ol' 927 via the tireless effort of Gary Austin. I am honored to be part of the many names inscribed on plaque on one of the replica .50 cal waist guns!

* Upon moving to AZ, WIX members have made me feel right at home... including Matt G., Chris C., Mr. Robert "Pooner" Kropp, Scotty G, as well as many others... thanks guys!

* Had a great time at my first Chino airshow and got to meet so many West Coast WIXers for the first time... BDK, Mudge, Jesse C, Chris Brame, Roger Cain, and of course see old friends like Cindy and Chris C.! Remind me if I met you there too... I am having a bad name day today!

And I am looking forward to the future too... and meeting more WIXers at:

* Oshkosh (hopefully this summer!)
* Reno (again, hopefully this year!)
* A future trip to the Pacific Northwest
* A future trip back to Central Coast, Sacramento, and San Fransisco, CA
* A future trip to the picturesque Permian Basin

Thanks everyone for a great 1000 posts and seven years!

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Ryan Keough
Stow, MA

Slacker, What took you so long ?
WiX is a good place to hang out ain't it ?

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Matt Gunsch, A&P, IA, Warbird maint and restorations
Jack, You have Debauched my sloth !!!!!!
We tried voting with the Ballot box, When do we start voting from the Ammo box, and am I allowed only one vote ?
Check out the Ercoupe Discussion Group on facebook

Congrats Ryan! This WIX place sure is a pretty neat place to hang out. I think it might just catch on one day and be popular.

Gary

Congrats man, I hope to see you at the WIX party

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Thanks, bud. I had come to be of the opinion that post counts should be outlawed. I "do business" on a lot of forums covering a nice little variety of topic material that interests me, and will leave the contextual explanation at that. But you have done an excellent job of pointing out the positive aspects of them, and that is what I thank you for. Oh, and congrats.

VIVA la WIX!

great posts & 1st class administrator asstistant to scott. many thanks.

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tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!

Ryan ,

An excellent 1,000th post. I expect nothing less from you. Thanks for reminding all of us about the great things that have happened on WIX. Like you I came from the old Warbirds Worldwide and WW Refuge forum and just hit 1,000 posts myself about a month ago. We have to get you back to Gennie soon. A few things are changing this year and it would be great to see you roaming around the tent.

Cheers,

Eric

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The air resounds from the Rolls-Royce roar!
To an enemy the warning is dire: here only eagles soar,
and the last thing he'll see is a mirrored Spitfire!

Must have done a lotta spammin' to get 1,000 posts...



Rich

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Rich Kolasa
www.crystalgraphix.com

Congratulations, Ryan! I remember passing my 1000th post and reflecting on its significance:

"God, do I ever shut up?"

Seriously, it was great to meet you and Scott and I hope we can have more time to chat next time, maybe while we're at Flo's trying to find edible items on the menu. (I mean printed on the menu, not spilled on it... )

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All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

Great post! Hope to see you in Oshkosh and eventually in the Northwest.

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-Al Sauer
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spookythecat

Well, Ryan, congrats on your 1000 post!!

When we have had people who in less than 6 months have hit close to the 1,000 mark, you took your sweet time to get here. Slacker. ':lol:' ':lol:' ':lol:'



The points you have indicated, have ample merit.

I have been around and together many of the people still here, have seen my share of trouble, I have caused a good share of trouble, but also have managed to learn a lot from most everybody here.

I wanted to tell you, that this has really moved me, and I feel honored for your mentioning me:



That was a memorable trip from Montreal, through a heavy snowfall, icing and very cold weather, but it was well worth it. The meeting would have been even better if you had managed to make it, but alas it was not to be.

I am planning a trip to Arizona some time this year, and I will make sure to go and say hello, and have at least a couple of cold beers with you.

Here's to your next thou posts!

Salud!!!


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????

What I don't see Geneseo on your lineup! Kelly and I agree that something is missing without you there.
Tim

I think I might be a posting whore

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www.tailhookstudio.com

Hey Tim - I am trying like heck to make this Geneseo road trip work for me. I am going to try and take the Southern route through lower NM and do the I-10, 20, 30, 40 route into Nashville and North from there on the I-65. I am attempting to do an overnight in Dallas and then an overnight with a friend in Middletown, OH and OH to Geneseo on Friday AM. Not sure what plans you guys have for driving, but might be able to "formate up" on the OH to NY drive with you... Miata flying escort

And yes, that means that on the trip back South to AZ, I am going to have to stop at Austin Acres

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Ryan Keough
Stow, MA

ever heard of airline service? Rochester has a pretty big airport!

Rich

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Rich Kolasa
www.crystalgraphix.com

Hey thanks for making me feel old! Thankfully I'm nowhere near 1000 posts...

Jim