Warbird Information Exchange

This update on Howard was posted on the Vintage Wings of Canada web site.
http://www.vintagewings.ca/page?a=1149&lang=en-CA

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“Try to fly in the middle of the air. The edges are filled with mountains and oceans and rocks and it’s much harder to fly there.”

Left this message through the link provided on the site. Mr. O'Malley told me it will be sent to his wife and him. Niiiice !

Dear Howard,

We have met a few times before. We spoke together at both the Classic Air Rallye and Vintage Wings' Open House events where I flew in with my ol' C-140. I even had the immense privilege to park it right next to Vintage Wings aircraft ! Our conversations were brief but truly enjoyable and I learned a lot from you in a very short time !

I learned of your accident like everybody else, with dismay and incredulity. It is a sobering reminder that flying our classic old airplanes has a built-in risk factor that we learn to mitigate, but that never totally goes away.

I was releived to read on Vintage Wings web site that although you were seriously injured, your recovery is already underway. It will surely not be easy but know that the thoughts and prayers of a great many of us who had the pleasure of talking with you, even if briefly, are with you, your family and your friends in these hard times.

Rest, take it easy and we shall see you again around Vintage Wings magnificient aircraft, commenting the show like no one else. I am looking forward to walk to you again, shake your hand and share our passion of flying.

CAVOK

Michel Charette, Sainte-Therese, QC
Owner of 1948 Cessna 140 C-GNCJ

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Michel C
Thousands of a/c pics at Passion-Aviation

I had some unexpected free time last Saturday, so I visited the Vintage Wings hangar to get a look at the Tiger Moth. I took a number of walk-around photos and have posted them in my a Webshots album, accessible via here...
Aerial Visuals - Vintage Wings of Canada - DH-82

If you are interested in a history of this airframe go here...
Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - de Havilland-deHavilland Tiger Moth DH-82C, s/n 8869 RCAF, c/n 1671, c/r CF-DHQ

This pictures were posted with the blessing of Vintage Wings Marketing and Communications Manager, Dave O'Malley, on the condition I not use them for the purpose of speculation of the cause of the accident. Feel free to take a look at pics, but please refrain from commenting on the cause. When the investigation report is made public I will post a link here.

Mike

P.S. When Dave O'Malley pubishes an update regarding Howard's recovery Steve or I will like post the link here.

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Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

Thanks for keeping us up to date Mike.

Cheers Dave C

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Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

EDIT

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Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

A short update via Dave O'Malley...


I hope to visit him this weekend.

Mike

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Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

I spent an hour with Howard this morning in the hospital. He is in very good spirits. He is planning his recovery down the finest details. What would you expect from a careful pilot and one who likes to put on a good show? His injuries were severe, but with the help of physiotherepy he has been up and "walking" although he really can't put any weight on his right leg. Not bad for a guy that had back surgery. He also has a couple of nice shiners under his eyes, he sort of looks like an enforcer hockey player, except he has his teeth! Today the goal was to sit upright for lunch, and I have no doubt he pulled it off.

Howard and Peta hope to be able to work a plan out with the hospital and his hospital back home so that he can be transported to the UK and continue his recovery there in a much more familiar setting.

Mike

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Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

Sounds like good news. A longs ways to go, but well on the mend. Reminds me of Douglas Bader. After his accident, the docs told him that if he worked hard at it, he would be able to walk with a cane. He refused THAT saying he would not just walk, he would dance WITHOUT a crutch or cane! He did that and more. Determination and strength of will are an important part of healing!

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Aviation Illustration Website
http://shepartstudio.com/illustration/

Excellent news Mike.

See you in a few weeks at the VWoC home base.

Cheers Dave C

Thanks for the updates Mike. If you see Howard again, give him our best wishes from down under.

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James K

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

www.VintageAeroWriter.com

EDIT - Sorry everyone. There was something wrong with the link. Howard is doing well. I saw him on Sunday and he was sitting upright for the visit. They are trying to work out when he will be going home. He doesn't want his condition to distract from the open house / airshow this upcoming Saturday. See you there!

Mike

_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.