old iron wrote:
I remember some long while ago - and I am afraid that my memory does not allow me to be more specific here - seeing an article in Air Classics that provided a first-hand account of some guy in a Privateer who machine-gunned a Japanese ship, then while gaining altitude came onto a Japanese floatplane and shot that down, and then along came an Emily flying boat and shot that down as well, all in the same sortie.
I remember thinking "WOW, what a great piece of history!" I later learned, though I still do not know the particulars, that the story was largely (or completely) made up. That is when I quit reading Air Classics.
Presenting real history is a serious matter that requires critical thought and an attention for getting the details right. Air Classics did not so that. There were always interesting things about restorations in progress, but historical information too often had the trappings of bad fiction. I remember reading through Air Classics on the news stand - I would not pay money for the rag - and seeing this-and-this-and-this facts that were wrong, and other information that raised red flags concerning authenticity.
There are good avhistory periodicals - the AAHS (American Aviation Historical Society) Journal just came in the mail yesterday - and the news stands have a fair number of magazines with both writing and paper of better quality. I am sure that many of these need help as well, and suggest that money can be better sent in those directions.
Old Iron,
Sorry the magazine did not get the history right when you read that, and it is a shame that you can’t remember when, or specifically cite a particular magazine. While it’s important to get history right, I guess it’s not so important to remember sources, or dates on a message board. But as you say, a long long time ago. 1980? I wish that you would have given it a chance before you slammed it today, as they say it’s a one mistake world. A shame you didn’t send a letter, or ask why that was printed back then, but it’s a good non-specific and nebulous slam to prove your chops as a historian. It’s also a shame you did not get to attack the veteran and his first hand account, and set that miserable (probably enlisted) cretin from the greatest generation straight. A missed opportunity for you.
Everyone Else,
I would put the historical pieces done in the last 20 years against just about anything. I also feel that the AAHS is a critical addition to any aviation library, but it was a quarterly and dose not carry the current stuff and will never be a newsstand mag. The Mustangs issues carrying technical articles from Bruce Lockwood on the Merlin and other parts of Mustang history have been brilliant. The recent coverage of WWI stuff has been difificult to discern as far as reader interest, but I have sent feedback as positive, the WWI stuff is in my view, “within reach”. The DH-4, Siemens Schukert and other WWI stuff are actually attainable builds for people like us, and while dangerous in almost every way allow “financial mortals” to use ancient techniques and build a plane. I believe few magazines carry these stories and the builders/believers should be able to tell those stories.
The difficult thing is that these Dream (Big Iron) planes are owned by people that are very successful and in many cases in the public eye. I would say all of them deal with the public because they have to. While fans are generally positive, it doesn’t take much from a hater or angry poster to cause a shutdown of media outreach. This board, which Scott dillegently works at, is HIS effort. If this is the place that criticizes an owners choice of paint, attacks a pilot’s judgement or ultimately makes Warbird owners feel uncomfortable and lousy....what do you have? What does Scott’s work amount to other than a good effort, the old college try? Mark Allen has made his posts about education and has done so in a brilliant way. He is a contributor to this site and his picture posts stimulate discussion. I would wish that those who attacked others had a reasonable body or work or posts that were historical, educative or positive. Positive posts to the site are so important. Constructive feedback to a site or magazine is important. How many owners refuse to have their aircraft photographed, or won’t go to shows due to the hurtful comments? How do those comments help the population with the preservation movement?
Matt, thank you for your comments, I admire what you do here and hope others can see it the way you do,
What is happening right now is unprecedented. Museums will close. It is possible that Warbird Rides/Flight Training will be something that the FAA will be able to largely prohibit and curtail. This can end pretty quickly. Shops and staff restoring aircraft are under severe stress due to project pauses and ultimately a lack of interest in the finished product. All Magazines are also under serious threat, especially in the United States. This one mag, with a long and I would say family history to many of us wants to be better, and has an owner who has bled for his magazine. He has been in this for over 50 years, and has picked up the usual roster of friends and enemies that befits a life spent in the Warbird game.
How many that criticize the magazine own an ex-military plane, have lost friends in similar planes and deal with the daily struggle of trying to keep your business going for a few minutes of flying in the plane that will destroy your financial future? We all have hopefully experienced that. (Ha Ha). Publication on your plane marks the successes of our friends against time, government, naysayers and our own deep dark thoughts that much more sweet. The magazine stands as a testament to those people who do try and sometimes finish their planes and get them flying.
Challenge Publications is there, and facing potential closure.
AAHS was looking for a buyer, and is in a difficult spot. Current circulation ? No newsstand release ever.
Warbird Digest, also dealing with a reduction in output and currently not on a regular schedule.
All the others, Wings, AirPower, Aeronews Photo, Air Combat, cross and Cockade, So many others... are gone.
A long rant. But I get angry at this sugar. (Edit....you cant curse on this site, do you kiss your mother with that mouth?! Well played Scott. ). These guys who do this stuff are my friends, and I try to see the bigger picture here. Some of the big men (and women) now beginning the collection and purchasing of these planes want them to go the way of vintage cars like 288 GTO’s, 911 RSR’s and Duesenbergs that mortals have to pay $200.00 for a ticket to get on the field (required to be wearing a jacket and slacks) to see them. Been to Pebble or do you have VIP tickets at the Quail? Is that where we want to go? Many owners would love that because of the crap that has been shoveled their way by the well meaning big man behind the keyboard without any thought or skin in the game. (Volunteer work does not generally equal skin).
A great case for this was that Silver Spitfire deal. Michael really wanted to cover it, and of course received the usual threats from the owner/sponsor of the plane that he would be sued if he tried to publish a picture. Reaching out to the watch company they remarked that “his readership” was of a low economic order and not only would their fine watch be out of their reach, the Spitfire would too. They saw NO gain in publicity to “us”. He fought that fight and as any respectable newsman would do. He fought for his readers. Not his advertisers.
I hope that the mag survives, and I care because it’s been a good influence. It’s the only way many people learn about these things, on the newsstand. If the magazine failed you, please chime in. But if it did some good, it would be fun to hear that too.
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