Warbird Information Exchange

*Updated with more options that were suggested in Round One.*

As a longtime lurker here who has just recently begun to post, I am curious as I read these threads and responses as to who does what and how much.

Or something like that...

At any rate, Hi everyone...I'm Greg. And I'm a Warbird Junkie. My closest actual tangible connection to warbirds is that I shot a story for Ohio Magazine in 2002 in airshows in Ohio, through which I was able to enjoy numerous warbird flights as well as other fantastic aviation experiences. I am a professional photographer, and images from that year (as well as related images shot since) can be seen here.

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"Anyway, the throat feels a bit rough...the legs have gone...but I'm still able to chant, so let's get going."

Joe Strummer, 1999

GRRR>>>I put in a restoration/mechanic option, but it didn't show up...

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"Anyway, the throat feels a bit rough...the legs have gone...but I'm still able to chant, so let's get going."

Joe Strummer, 1999

Fotobass,

As a newcomer to WIX myself I think this is a great idea. Trying to figure out someone's back ground based on their posts or, signature blocks can be a fun challenge but it’s all the better that people lay it out here to you know who you're talking to. So I'll get the ball rolling with a little intro of myself.

I fall into the "I fly old airplanes for someone else" category, largely because I'm still a student (history major... big surprise) and owning one isn't realistic at this point. That being said, flying warbirds is sort of my big motivator in life so I wanted to get as much of an early start as I can.

First step was flying WWI replicas with the Great War Flying Museum ( www.greatwarflyingmuseum.com ). As I'm sure is often the case I joined with the ambition of flying the airplanes but ended up getting involved in maintenance and all sorts of different parts of the operation as well. Not quite warbirds technically, but a start flying old fighters. Still active with them and having a great time.

Next step was getting checked out and flying with the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association ( www.harvards.com ). I've always been told that if you want to fly any of the big WWII airplanes, from a skill/experience standpoint the big prerequisite is Harvard/T-6/SNJ time. So now that they've set me loose in yellow peril I'm trying to build up time in those with the goal of flying more old birds down the road.

That’s me in a nutshell. As a younger pilot (22) most of those who learned to fly with me don't have any background and limited interest in flying tail draggers. That seems to be the trend, and with the number of airplanes flying/under resporation I'm hoping my early start will pay some dividends in terms of opportunities to fly WWII airplanes.

Look forward to hearing what everyone else's background in warbirds is!

Cheers

Edward

My name is John and I am warbird addicted. It has been just over 2 weeks since I last touched a warbird.

I blame Scott Thompson...for helping me to recognize my sweet addiction to Warbirds...and veterans.

By the late '80's, I had bought a copy of his book "Final Cut" about surviving B17's and started counting how many B17's I had seen (my personal count now stands at 35). Then I started (pre-Internet days) researching how many rare WWII era birds of each type were out there and realized I had an addiction...I had seen a lot of them.

I stopped counting the a/c books when I had more books than shelves and photos when they reached 4,000 (just after I bought Scott's book). I try not to think of how much money I spent with Kodak in the pre-digital days, not to mention the photo shops for processing & printing. Among the digital benefits is I no longer need a "hand search" of film at airport security.

Like the alcoholic who hides his bottles around the house & garage, I don't put out a lot of my warbird "stuff" around the house. But, I know where it is and I look at it when I need my fix.

By 1997 I was volunteering at Oshkosh on the Warbird Line Crew every summer I can. I take people I hardly know to airplane museums and airshows. I give away airplane magazines by the dozens (after I have read them, of course).

I'm self-employed and travel a bit for my work. I always try to see some warbirds whenever I can handle my own scheduling...and have been known to detour w-a-y out of my way to see a/c.

The real bonus has been meeting and talking with so many veterans who flew and worked on these a/c "back in the day". The a/c are just objects without their lives.

It is a pleasant addiction...and does not seriously impair my health.

I think...

With the talented people that frequent this site, your poll could be further expanded.

Webmaster/ have own dedicated website
Historian
Author
Warbird Photographer
Member of Warbird musuem (CAF)
Member of Local Flying Club (AirPower West)
Reno Air Race Pilot/Crew Chief/Crewmember
Former WW2. Korean, Vietnam Military Pilot/Mechanic

I have probably left off several other significant categories

Things to do, that may test your relationship (mileage may vary with each persons significant other) I am fortunate my wife is an aviator, so she understands the call of the wild.

1. use all your vacation time to travel to airshows to see Warbirds in the wild. repeat offender
2. Go to formation clinic on your anniversary, repeat offender
3. At the Reno air races (10 days) during wifes B-day, repeat offender