Warbird Information Exchange

Other than the WIXers that is.
Bought a picture from one vendor who turned out to be "Johnnie" Johnson's son. He took me to look at a picture that was autographed "by his father" and the signature read Johnnie Johnson. I couldn't believe it. In case you didn't know, Johnnie Johnson was the highest ranking RAF ace to survive the war. The price was a bit high on that piece but I did find something with a P-38 in it. (Me, buy a P-38 picture?)
Went to another stall and found another P-38 picture in the "Sale" rack. I don't think the lady knew it was in there because it is an artists proof signed by the pilot of the plane. The plane is "Happy Jacks Go Buggy" and it's signed by Jack Ilfrey. I didn't point this out to her 'til AFTER I paid for it and had it in my hand. She said she knew it was in there but the look on her face said, "Oh, crap!". I then noticed her name on the display...it was Virginia Bader. I, jokingly, asked her if she was related to Douglas Bader and she said she was his cousin. (If you don't know who Douglas Bader was...shame on you.)
Doesn't sound too exciting I know...I guess you had to be there.

Mudge the easily impressed

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Land of the free because of the brave

Virginia was one of the first, if not THE first, to promote aviation art as a "legit" art genre back in the day. Prior to her involement, "aviation art" as a commercial enterprise was, well, pretty much non-existent. Kudos to her for largely getting the ball rolling.

Was her son Steve there? He's the one I deal with, usually.

Wade

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Website: http://www.wademeyersart.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Wade.Meyers.Studios

Chico,
Her son could've been the guy helping unload the van. Don't know.

Mudge the observant

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Land of the free because of the brave

At the Corsair Gathering in Connecticut last year I was talking to a guy who was shooting Digital pics for folks right on the ramp, printing them out for them at his booth and giving them to folks like a half an hour later...pretty cool arrangement...we talked a lot and seemed to have a lot in common...we both loved Corsairs (my grandfather built them at that plant)...he said his father flew them as a test pilot...I asked his name...he said Peter Guyton....Boone Guyton's son! Great guy, fun to talk to, we still babble to this day....he signed my Corsair book "Mark...great to meet you! My dad would have LOVED this show...Peter Guyton".....

ya just never know who you're talking to...

M

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Mark Morris

Hmmmmm.... That lady has lots of my money!

Did anyone get a chance to talk to the P-47 pilot at Thunder? He had a table set up in front of the -47s during the afternoon on Saturday. Had some very interesting stories and photos to share.

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Matt

I will always have a fondness for Jack Ilfrey. Several years ago I got a phone call at work "Hello, this Jack Ilfrey". Shock would be an accurate description of my reaction. I had written him a letter a week or so prior. He said there was no letter in the envelope and wanted to know why I writing him. I went over what I had written and we ended up talking about all things aviation for about 15m. I would have talked longer but I was at work and it was long distance for him. He said he would send me a care package and about a week later I got a hand written letter, a couple of career bios, and 3 autographed photos.

I later learned this was not an unusual thing for him to do. A friend of mine also got a phone call with the same story that there was no letter, etc. We surmized he was a bit lonely as his wife had died and the kids and grandkids were gone and just wanted to talk to someone. It was a thrill for me that I treasure. Sadly, he passed away a couple of years later.

BK