RetroAviation-Gary Austin's Legacy

[Brad]

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.

Don,

Don't take it personally, it was a nice thought and one that I'm sure several people agree with. However, for lots of reasons that I can't go into, it just isn't an option. As a side note, and for other reasons I will not go into, Gary's Family has no connection to his estate at all. It's me and one other person dealing trying to settle everything.

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.

Newsflash, Michael: I can speak for him. And I am. Not only that, I can speak for the estate. And I am. There will be no book. In the end, Gary didn't want to do it and he wouldn't want it done now for many reasons. Reasons that I will not go into as they are not anyone's business. As for whatever demons Gary was dealing with, well, you don't have the slightest idea.

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...?

If you knew Gary at all, which you obviously didn't, you would know that he wouldn't want attention on anything except the airplanes. There is no connection of any kind between his death and the work he did on the B-29 and B-24.

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.

Once again, you don't know a darn thing about Gary, his life, his death, his secrets or anything else.

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.

I'll tell you what would be a better legacy. Help get the airplanes he loved so much back in the air! That is what he would want the attention on. Airplanes were his life, his health problems weren't.

[Tim Savage]

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.

It is a day I won't soon forget either. My son still mentions it occassionally, and Gary was so kind to him. Good times before my involvement in aviation businesses took an unfortunate turn.

Most of all, I miss my friend Gary.

[B29B24crewchief]

Again folks, I have to agree with Brad on this. The idea of a published work of this stuff has allready been discussed and shelved. There have been a couple of people that have looked at this and even had talked with Gary about it and it was not something that would happen. The cost outweighed the potential gains for one. I know that many of you would buy it but the fact is that it would probably be a repeat of whats in this forum. Secondly, Gary was a very popular figure in the Warbird world and air racing. I have a drawer full of "In Memory of Gary Austin" stickers that we wanted to sell to raise enough money to sponsor the 29 and the 24 in his name. So far we have enough for the 24. Anyone want to buy some.?? They are $5.00 each.
We all miss Gary very much and have gone from sadness to madness over all this. WE miss his talent, his humor and his genius! Brad has spent countless hours,days and weeks, thousands of miles and fuel expences just to help get this estate sold and into the hands of someone who would care about it. He's the one you should write a book about!! Everyone should have a friend like this!!!!!!!!!!!

Dave

[Django]

I put a sticker on my '55. Looks pretty good. I think Gary would get a kick out of that. He thought the wagon was pretty neat when I got it.

[Second Air Force]

It is a day I won't soon forget either. My son still mentions it occassionally, and Gary was so kind to him. Good times before my involvement in aviation businesses took an unfortunate turn.

Most of all, I miss my friend Gary.

I couldn't agree more with that last sentence, Tim.

The Sunday following your visit Gary was sitting with Ellen and I eating breakfast and he told us how much fun he'd had with you two. Good times, indeed.

Scott

[herkman]

One of the regrets of my life, even though we exchanged views several times, is that I never had the chance to meet him, look into his eyes and shake his hand.

A bit hard to do this from the other side of the world, but this is what Gary did. I do not need a book to remind me of Gary but what does occur in my my mind is every time I hear a P & W start up and run, every time I see a nice bit of mechanical work and every time I see a child smile, there I see Gary. His love of children and animals, his willingness to help those who were batling with some project, and his desire to see aircraft return to the air that is what I see today. His ready smile and desire to help and assist all, that is what I remember, no book could do it justice.

To you Brad I give you every best wish, the last months have been I am very sure very hard for you. You are typical of the Air Force members found all around the world. Quitely going about your duty with not much understanding by many, how much the people of this world owe to those who preserve our freedom.

Wish I had been born 20 years later and I too could have flown on the mighty C17.

Every best wish mate for your future.

Regards

Col

[Chunks]

I think for everyone Gary's legacy is a little different, but reading some of the comments here there's a common thread. Besides the airplanes (not minimizing, but it's as given as that's what draws everyone to this forum) whether it was a project question, issue, idea, brainstorm, request for help...whatever the issue was, even to someone unknown to Gary he ALWAYS took the time to help if he could. I wish I could say that Gary was my friend, but the truth is we spoke on the phone a few times, shared a few dozen emails and my son and I spent a day with him at Austin Acres. I told Gary at the end of the day that he was exactly who I had expected to meet, and he was one of the most genuine people I had ever met. For all of you that say here that they wished they had met the man, just read his posts. That is exactly who he is.

I have to correct something I said...I know that Gary was my friend. I would be incredibly honored to think that he considered me one...

I miss him.

Jack

[danaraylene]

I came to the board today because of a heavy heart. I miss Gary more than anything and I love coming here to rad his old posts. I almost hate that I ran across this thread because I'm not sure I feel better after reading it. No matter, I'm glad the bickering has stopped.

I have a necklace with a silver T-6 hanging from it that I have not taken off since I bought it as a rememberance many months ago. My 2 and 5 year old daughters call it my "Gary Neckie". THAT is his legacy for me. THAT is how he goes on FOR ME; by telling those around me of him, passing on memories to friends and family. His legacy is everywhere. It is in how much I loved him and how much he loved us. It is in the hearts of his friends and family. He was one of the most wonderful men I've ever known and I will always miss him. My girls will always know him as someone that genuinely touched my life in a way most people never experience. I vow to never forget a moment with him and to always keep him in the memories of those around me until the day I draw my last breath and join him. The thing is, a legacy is what you make of someone in your own heart.

Dana

[ZRX61]

I put a sticker on my '55. Looks pretty good. I think Gary would get a kick out of that. He thought the wagon was pretty neat when I got it.

I have one on my bike:



I have 5 others sat here, one is going on my large rollaway toolbox & another is going on my vintage Craftsman box. Not sure about the other 3 yet

[GARY HILTON]

Stopped in Addison, Tx yesterday to get up close with "Ole 927"....Had to go thru her by myself, but that was ok....Never got the chance to go thru her with Gary, but believe me, he was there....

The CAF dudes in the hangar there gave me a condensed copy of Warbird Digest with the article on 927, and Gary's efforts...What's so cool about it, is the cover picture, with Gary sitting in the cockpit, and engines roaring on the old girl...I'll be framing that when I get home...

After reading everything previous on this thread, it would take a individual of questionable judgement not to see that Gary has left his mark on all of us, in different ways...cause he treated us as the individuals that we are....Our opinions parralleled each others on quite a few topics, but the common denominator was aircraft...especially the ones with round engines!

If it happens that there would be a book, I'd buy it, if not, I understand as well....It still will not keep folks from writing about him...and that's a good thing.

As for me, my personal talisman from Gary is the phenolic gear that I'm supposed to find out "what the #$%# it is, and the hole in my trailer deck, that I will never repair....from Gary and his tempermental forklift...

I'm very sure his legacy will be around for some time to come...But I sure miss my chance of having an adventure with him on his Voodoo project, or my L-18.

Don't know what kind of beer ya like Gary, but here's one for you!

[Jack Cook]

I talked to Gary quite often and tried to help him has best I could. In
our last conversation he said "I really appreciate all of your help but I don't
understand why you bother with me". My response was easy since I dealt alot
with the same question after my house burned down and so many folks helped us.
"It's just what friends do!". Gary asked me what jerk told me that and I simply said
"some airplane nut in Midland, Texas". He chuckled and simply said "thank you my friend".
That's the last time I talked with Gary. I like to call him the best friend I never met!
I've still haven't removed his # from my cell phone contacts yet and probably won't.

Last edited by Jack Cook on Sat Jul 31, 2010 8:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Second Air Force]

I've still haven't removed his # from my cell phone contacts yet and probably won't.

Neither have Ellen or I, Jack.

S

[viking73]

I've still haven't removed his # from my cell phone contacts yet and probably won't.

I haven't either Jack...

-Derek

[RickH]

Me either, his email contact is still in my list. Just can't delete it, or the PMs we exchanged on various topics.

[oz rb fan]

i was thinking recently about the original meaning of this thread and seeing the book idea is a dead end i think Gary's legacy is the friends he made and the project he helped.
i never met the man or even talked to him other than on a computer screen,but reading through some of his old threads and memories talked about on here and other sites he made a deep impression on a lot of people and many projects are moving because of his help.
if there is a heaven i hope Gary's part really does look like New zealand.