Warbird Information Exchange

I built Cobra replicas for a number of years when I ran Excalibur Automobile Corporation here in Milwaukee. We never heard a peep. At the time, early 90's, it had been proven that the name "Cobra" and the design had effectively been in the public domain for so long and that there had been so many knock-off's without any action by Ford or Shelby, his window was closed. Anyone or everyone could use the name Cobra. You can't use Shelby or Ford, but Cobra was free.

Conversely, I tried to do a Ferrarri 1957 Pontoon Fendered TR 250 and they sent me a nasty gram that said if I even thought about it at night, they would sue. They had been very successful protecting their rights from the get go.

So, unless other things have changed and you are not using Carroll Shelby's name or likeness, I'd say you have a pretty good case for going forward. There are so many manufacturers of components, don't think that should stop you.

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

I don't think he should win this case.
His name is part of history and Virgin seems to have made no claims or used quotes or endorsements by the General. They just named famous aviators. As part of history and having been on television multiple time, the case can be made that he is a public figure. I won't go into all the ramifications that being a public figure entails, but it does limit legal recourse in many situations because they are putting themselves in the public eye "deliberately". It was his choice to do advertisements, TV appearances etc.
He might win in California though, so that was a smart move.
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."

How presumptuous of him. How does he know Virgin wasn't referring to ol' Chuck Yeager, the lineman down at XXX? (Or the guy Buzz Aldrin who cuts yards for that matter.) About 20 odd years ago, he was here at VKS with a group for a week-long hunt north of town. My wife had given me his book for Xmas & I found out after-the -fact that he had been here (in a Citation III, IIRC) & regretted not being able to hit him up for his autograph. Now, maybe I didn't miss anything after all................

And what are your thoughts on that one?

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

I think Hollywood should do a movie about the man..................
and change the names to protect the arrogant.

but I also don't think you should be able to use the mans name or likeness without his consent.
If the intent is a famous person, not the lawn boy.

IIRC There are 2 Memphis Belles out there, one real and on clone.
That is like like the difference in a GT-350 and a 6cyl Mustang w/stripes and a hood scoop.
They're just not the same pony.

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"I've already got four, and I've got thirty cornered" Lt Paul Pablo VF-14 USS Essex

I agree about the Belle. The big rub was that the Tallichet Group signed a deal with the Memphis Belle Memorial Association to always keep the movie Belle in movie style markings. Little by little the markings were changed to match the real plane, and then it was fully done like the real combat vet Belle. And after being told that the movie belle was the real one by a volunteer at the movie belle, the NMUSAF decided to support the MBMA's deal.

As for Yeager and this airline thing, I think that it would have just been in good taste to ask him before using his name in an advertisement.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Keep the real one real.....

As for the other one: there were how many thousands of B17's built? Just pick another aircraft to honor...

& there are actually THREE MB's if you include one side of SallyB's nose art in the UK...

I feel the same way about various P51's.. How many Old Crows are there now?

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Those who possess real knowledge are rare.

Those who can set that knowledge into motion in the physical world are rarer still.

The few who possess real knowledge and can set it into motion of their own hands are the rarest of all.

The problem is finding out which ones actually pay Shelby.. Tony Banda is out of the picture because he pays Shelby..

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Those who possess real knowledge are rare.

Those who can set that knowledge into motion in the physical world are rarer still.

The few who possess real knowledge and can set it into motion of their own hands are the rarest of all.

I hear you on Old Crow. I mean I love the markings of it and all, and have nothing but the highest respect for Bud Anderson, but there are just a ton of them. I'd love to see the B or C model get the markings of Shangri La. I tend to like the NMF D model Old Crow the best but that is just a personal thing.

I'd love to see Tallichet's B-17 get painted as any of the aircraft featured in the book, "The Pride of Seattle"

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Well.. there *was* one.... which was then painted red... & then moved around a bit as Princess Liz..

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Those who possess real knowledge are rare.

Those who can set that knowledge into motion in the physical world are rarer still.

The few who possess real knowledge and can set it into motion of their own hands are the rarest of all.

I wonder if Buzz Aldrin is suing too?

(not a peep from that camp huh? )

And while we are on the subject....I hereby and forthwith copyright my name and and likeness of my name in-perpetuity.

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Zane Adams
There I was at 20,000 ft, upside down and out of ammunition.
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I've only met 2 astronauts & they both seem like pretty likeable blokes (Cooper & Anders).

Actually I've also met a few of the shuttle guys but couldn't name one of them...

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Those who possess real knowledge are rare.

Those who can set that knowledge into motion in the physical world are rarer still.

The few who possess real knowledge and can set it into motion of their own hands are the rarest of all.

So what were the FAA findings in the T-6 incident?

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

I've met several astronauts and they've all been wonderful experiences and nice people. I was lucky enough to have Buzz Aldrin on my aircraft once when I flew him to Houston. After the flight, he came up to the cockpit, shook both of our hands and said to me, "Nice landing". That really made my day and it meant so much to hear that compliment from one of my hero's growing up. Some times the smallest gestures make a life-long impression! What a gentleman!

Though I haven't met him, I have several friends who know a former NASA Shuttle pilot pretty well who apparently is taking lessons from Yeager on how to "make friends and influence people". He races at Reno every year, and before anybody asks, no it was NOT Hoot Gibson, who I've met and IS a class act. Looks like we have a Chuck Yeager Jr. in our midst!

pilot error

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Don't touch my junk!!