Warbird Information Exchange

Thoughts and prayers go out to family and friends. He will be missed.

Mike

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one of the few rare convos I had with Gary. I think I delighted him and that made me feel good. I am but a small somebody on WIX and to enlighten Gary like I did was special.

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... na&start=0

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Shop the Airplane Bunker At
www.warbirdbunker.com

Oh no..........so sorry to hear this.

Wow, what a terrible shame. Words fail me at the moment.

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Share your story: Rutgers Oral History Archive http://oralhistory.rutgers.edu/

Thanks for posting that Nathan, got a good couple of smiles out of that. I needed it.

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

That is a must. I am in Midland myself, so I will help the cause any way I can. I also thought if somone does end up making the decals of Gary's avitar we could sell them for a few dollars and have the proceeds go to an animal shelter or other animal related charity as a donation in Gary's name.

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... sc&start=0

Another good one.........................anyone know where the pics are of gary looping a tiger moth???? Ive been looking

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

Very sad.
Condolences to everyone here.
God speed, Gary.

When I first heard of his passing, I too, took out the piece of "927" that Gary so kindly sent me for my donation to the project. It will always have a place of honor in my home for someone who was so willing to share his trials and tribulations, not only on "927", but on many other projects and subjects.

I only wish he could have shared a little more of his troubles with some of those who knew him well. Perhaps we wouldn't be eulogizing this wonderful man right now if he had. The dark side is hard to over come without some help.

I don't think I'll ever be able to look at "927" and that huge "Kilroy" on the horizontals again without thinking of Gary and his struggle.

Rest in peace Gary.

The world will miss you.
Jerry

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

Wow, just wow.
I've been out of pocket most of the day and checked in to see this. Very shocking and sad.
I too wish Gary would've emailed or called or something. We've had several good PM exchanges.
If any of you guys, Chris/A2C included, ever feel this way, drop one of us a line - Tim Savage said he'd have gotten on a plane and been there. I probably couldn't afford it, but I'm of the same kind of sentiment. I know we're not supposed to discuss certain things here, but if you go back and read lusc10's post on page 3 - that's the TRUTH, and I feel similarly. Your life IS valuable.
I met Mr. Austin back in 2006 at the airshow I was blessed to attend in Midland, have corresponded off and on via PM, and was quite happy and honored to talk with him on the phone about a month ago and was happy that we were able to take the pictures of his place for him.
I wonder what the status on those birds he was trying to save is?
I will be praying for his step-son (I think) who he did care about. He was at a soccer game supporting him when we flew over his place. That's why he wasn't in the picture.
Thanks Ryan K., Jack Cook, and Tim Savage for other good posts.

Austin Acres will always have a place in my memory.

Ryan Short

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Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.

I only talked to Gary in the Stratolina thread. He was having fun, a nice fellow. Very sad.

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"No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth!" R.R.

Welcome to the USSA! One Nanny State Under the Messiah, Indivisible with Tyranny, Higher Taxes, Socialism, Radical Environmentalism and a Loss of Income for all. Boy I'm proud to be a part of the USSA, what can I do to raise taxes, oh boy oh boy!

My condolences to everybody that Gary touched. He is a true loss to this message board. I really enjoyed taking in his knowledge. I had the privilege of exchanging messages with him now and then and I will truly miss him.

A million words and thoughts jumble thremselves through my head, all trying to get out at once, even knowing that none of them are worthy or sufficient.

I have directed numerous people to this board to partake of the wealth of wisdom and information that fill the Diamond-927 thread.

I've backspaced 1/2 paragraphs so far here a dozen times, and the simple truth is that I neither know how to start nor finish. I never met Gary, yet traded PMs a few dozen or so times. My heart broke for him as he talked about both the CAF disappointment and his inability to continue to fly. I hoped and prayed that something would work out for him to take another shot at getting to New Zealand.

For those that knew him in the real world, my heart aches for you in your time of loss. Knowing of my own feelings with such distant contact as I had, I can only imagine how great a loss you must feel.

Does he have any family, and is there something we as a community can do for them?

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"Anyway, the throat feels a bit rough...the legs have gone...but I'm still able to chant, so let's get going."

Joe Strummer, 1999

I am speechless and feel as though I've been punched in the gut....

I once read the truest measure of a man is best viewed in the amount of good he brought into other's lives, by that standard (and many others)Gary Austin stands at the head of the line.

My thoughts and condolences to his family and friends...

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Victory By Valor (Motto of the 20th Fighter Group)

I never had the opportunity to meet Gary in "real life", but through is contributions on WIX I feel I've gotten to know him in a personal way. I'm not even sure if that makes sense or not. All I know is we lost a wonderful human being and a huge asset to the aviation community. I’ll never again look at Ol’927, Fifi or any CAF aircraft without thinking of Gary.

My thoughts and prayers to his friends and family in this difficult time.

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"Keep 'em Flying!"