RetroAviation-Gary Austin's Legacy

[N3Njeff]

I was taking a break in the mechanics one seat breakroom when I had seen the March issue of AOPA. In there is a very nice article about "Ole 927". I could not help but feel depressed when I read about how the author sat behind the .50 in the sling seat of the tail. There was no mention on how ONE mechanic took many hours of labor to make that even possible. Gary took a plane that had been chalked up as a converted freighter made into a wanna be bomber into something worthy of many great magazine articles!! I hope the CAF will continue garys project of continuing the B-24A back to her original form after FIFI is back online.

[oz rb fan]

I was taking a break in the mechanics one seat breakroom when I had seen the March issue of AOPA. In there is a very nice article about "Ole 927". I could not help but feel depressed when I read about how the author sat behind the .50 in the sling seat of the tail. There was no mention on how ONE mechanic took many hours of labor to make that even possible. Gary took a plane that had been chalked up as a converted freighter made into a wanna be bomber into something worthy of many great magazine articles!! I hope the CAF will continue garys project of continuing the B-24A back to her original form after FIFI is back online.

i couldn't agree more
as jack has said in the past(and also now) the book idea is great but it caused Gary alot of pain,so maybe it should be let go.
i was badly effected by Gary's death even though i never never met just exchanged a couple of pm's,Gary's legacy should be the continued convesion of "ol 927" and fifi's long term safe operation,and if possible the long term future of the f-101 and f-105 he was helping with (well that's my opinion and it is even less important than jack's or second airforce's).
paul
long live the memory of the STRATOLINA

[JDK]

I am a writer, editor and publisher, although I've never played any on TV.

Without knowing the details of Gary's issues specifically, I can say that with a book project, while it appears attractive initially, converting the content of the thread to a book would be a very tricky task - and would lose a good deal of what made the thread as interesting (and good) as it is.

A book on the conversion of the aircraft would have to be done with the co-operation of the CAF - as the aircraft's owners. Without Gary in the loop (the original author) and without saying anything negative about the CAF, that text/subject ownership scenario would not be a good one to try and manage as a book project.

Newsflash: A book of the conversion, or a book on the rebuild would not make much (if any) money.

A book is a lot more work than anyone who has not done one would realise. A decent project would take good cash up front and at least a person-year of work. I have a couple of other aviation preservation book projects on the shelf ready to go, and plenty of people have told me they should (sometimes they 'must'!) happen, but until the right people with the right skills (and also the right money) and other stuff coincides, they aren't. I'm also too old to get into situations where many good promises evaporate and the same old troopers end up doing 95% of the work.

Two other thoughts - As Jack's touched on, Gary's legacy is wider than the thread, nice though the thread is, and I don't think Gary's memory or work will fade as quick as we might think. Certainly I know I'll never forget him as an example and as a role model in many ways.

We actually, thanks to Scott and WIX have the thread, on tap able to be used whenever you need with just an internet connection. While donations to the CAF and Gary's legacy are laudable, let's also remember that WIX deserves our support for making that available - in the first place and down to today.

Just a few thoughts.

[N3Njeff]

You know, I would settle for just print it as a book as found in WIX with ALL of our questions and posts. I still get a good laugh from time to time if I go in there.

[JDK]

Just a follow up - re-reading my post, it might appear I think the idea's a bad one - that's not the case. In fact, it's something I (briefly) considered raising with Gary some time ago, but after consideration, didn't - for the reasons outlined above.

But we should float ideas here - you never know what's going to spark something - like the thread in question!

Jeff, depending on formats, costings, etc. (and I haven't run any scenarios seriously - but because I just know the numbers won't add up without another factor in the equation), that would be a 400+ page medium format full colour job, coming in at significantly greater than $60+ Then the print run would be a scary calculation. As Scott will tell us, those that promise on WIX against those who deliver is a poor percentage.

Let's enjoy, and be grateful for the fact that the thread's available - and for free, too.

Cheers,

[Don Martin]

Sorry Guys,
I didn't mean to stir things up(this time ) It was just a thought as I would hate to see that chronicle lost to time or changes to software. End of discussion(for now?)
Don

[ZRX61]

I am a writer, editor and publisher, although I've never played any on TV.

Without knowing the details of Gary's issues specifically, I can say that with a book project, while it appears attractive initially, converting the content of the thread to a book would be a very tricky task - and would lose a good deal of what made the thread as interesting (and good) as it is.

A book on the conversion of the aircraft would have to be done with the co-operation of the CAF - as the aircraft's owners. Without Gary in the loop (the original author) and without saying anything negative about the CAF, that text/subject ownership scenario would not be a good one to try and manage as a book project.

You're overlooking another issue:
On the majority of online foums anything you post becomes the property of the forum owners. I have no idea if that is the case with WIX, but if it is, then everything in the thread about the B24 is now owned by WIX, not the original poster or his estate...

[Robbie Stuart]

This is one idea (althought of fine intent) should be put to rest!

I am with Jack on this one. I just don't think Gary would want this!!!!!!!

[JDK]

You're overlooking another issue:
On the majority of online foums anything you post becomes the property of the forum owners. I have no idea if that is the case with WIX, but if it is, then everything in the thread about the B24 is now owned by WIX, not the original poster or his estate...

That's a good point to add - but let's just say I didn't go into all the various ramifications - that's just one of them. FWIW, from personal experience, I'd be very surprised if Scott's permission was an issue, and secondly to say the forum 'owns' the content is incorrect. Forums have a stake in the individual contributions, and there are courtesies to be observed, but I wouldn't be posting here if I didn't retain the intellectual property (IP) of my contributions.

Regards,

[Brad]

There will be no book.

[B29B24crewchief]

I second Brad, there will be no book!! end of thread!!!
No further reasons, no further discussions, no further anything. Are we clear!!! Dave

[Jack Cook]

there will be no book!! end of thread!!!
No further reasons, no further discussions, no further anything. Are we clear!!! Dave
I second Brad, there will be no book!! end of thread!!!
No further reasons, no further discussions, no further anything. Are we clear!!! Dave

I don't see where anyone on this thread is deserving of such hostility
I think in the spirit of the great guy Gary was we can do a lot better

Last edited by Jack Cook on Tue May 25, 2010 2:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[michaelharadon]

there will be no book!! end of thread!!!
No further reasons, no further discussions, no further anything. Are we clear!!! Dave
I second Brad, there will be no book!! end of thread!!!
No further reasons, no further discussions, no further anything. Are we clear!!! Dave

I don't see where anyone on this thread is deserving of such hostitlty
I think in the spirit of the great guy Gary was we can do better

Agreed, Jack. I'm getting from this thread that whatever demons were tormenting Gary are also chasing some of our other brother WIXers. Newsflash, guys: Gary's dead-there is no one else who can speak for him, including those who knew him well. And, if those planes he worked on stand for anything, it's the freedom we have to do and say and write anything that isn't libelous or defamatory of anyone, living or dead.

Whose to say if a book wouldn't be a more lasting, and significant legacy than even his work on the 24 and the 29 if that book were written in such a way that the light shined on his demons helped others, who are similarly afflicted, kill theirs before they kill themselves...?

There aren't any deep, dark, awful shameful secrets to Gary's life. For whatever reason, he was so wrapped up believing his own ego telling him that he wasn't any good that he took it to the extreme. That's it, and, very unfortunately, end of story. What better legacy for a person who was so kind and considerate to the rest of us than something that might help others avoid the same fate.

In life, he saved warbirds. In death, perhaps he can save lives.

[Second Air Force]

For everyone who doesn't know, Warbird Digest issue #15 has a wonderful article/interview with Gary about the reconfiguration project. I just found my copy and had to smile when I remembered Tim Savage and his son exploring the interior of the airplane with Gary.

[Don Martin]

Scott/Ryan, Will you guys kill this thread. Lock it, delete it I don't care. My only intention was to offer a thought that might help the Austin Family, not to see yet another war start. My thanks to Second Air Force for the PM on this subject. It was most appreciated.
Don
Now I remember why I don't spend so much time here anymore......................................................