Gary ~ What's The Plan For Diamond Lil ? 2006 and Beyond!

[sabredriver]

do you CAFians have the CAF crew wear period flightgear at all? it would look better i think...

[retroaviation]

do you CAFians have the CAF crew wear period flightgear at all? it would look better i think...

Wow, you've stumbled upon a topic of great discussion and controversy. The notion of having everyone wear period correct flight suits was brought up, but was eventually left on the table. This is one of those battles I chose not to get into, albeit I did give my input...I just didn't fight about it. There are over 400 members in the B-29/B-24 Squadron, and while very few actually attend meetings and say what's on their minds during those meetings, the vast majority of members do tend to have their own ideas of what should be worn while out on tour.

The elected staff of the Squadron had the difficult task of setting some ground rules that could meet everyone in the middle. What was decided is that we'll be wearing O.D. Green, Nomex flight suits for flying days, and our normal blue pants, gray Squadron shirts, and so on for non flying days. The majority of folks felt that the original type garb would get dirty too quickly, so the green was voted in. I can assure you that was a difficult vote for the Staff, as I was there for the meeting...me and about half a dozen Squadron members.

I don't envy the jobs of any of our elected staff, whether it be just in our Squadron, or in the CAF General Staff. Anytime they make a vote, it's guaranteed to upset dang near as many folks as it pleases.

Gary

[Steve S]

Here is some food for thought for some of your squadron mates.
It would probably be logisticly impossible to have everyone were period flight gear, knowing how much money I have invested in my own collection.

I wonder how your higher ups would reeact to one or two folks that might want to dress up as part of the educational aspects. When I was more active with LSFM several friends and myself put togehter some complete sets of gear that we used to wear in front of the airplane. It was a great way to both educate the general public on what the crews had to go through and it really helped us draw customers in to the airplane and convince them to take tours. (IE It made us some MONEY)

Just a thought?

Steve S

[retroaviation]

Oh, and since I've had several inquiries about the rudders and elevators for the B-24, here's a picture of Lance (with the iron), Eric (working hard), and Bill (well....standing there) plugging away at the control surfaces for me, even late on a Sunday while storms were hammering Midland. They're hoping to have them ready for me to paint late this week........




Gary

[retroaviation]

Here is some food for thought for some of your squadron mates.
It would probably be logisticly impossible to have everyone were period flight gear, knowing how much money I have invested in my own collection.
I wonder how your higher ups would reeact to one or two folks that might want to dress up as part of the educational aspects. When I was more active with LSFM several friends and myself put togehter some complete sets of gear that we used to wear in front of the airplane. It was a great way to both educate the general public on what the crews had to go through and it really helped us draw customers in to the airplane and convince them to take tours. (IE It made us some MONEY)
Just a thought?
Steve S

Good thought Steve, and I think that's been discussed. But to be perfectly honest, I can't recall what the final decision was on that. I'm thinking though, that they don't have any problem with some of our folks dressing up in authentic garb, they just didn't want it to be mandantory.

Gary

[Ztex]

do you CAFians have the CAF crew wear period flightgear at all? it would look better i think...

I like CAF period flight gear!

[retroaviation]

Gary

[OZFURYFAN]

400 members you say,if you got 8 hours out of each of them you would have 3200 extra hours of labour to meet the May 12 deadline!!! Maybe a name & shame list would be appropriate as I am sure they will come out of the woodwork when 927 is finished.Keep the GREAT work going,I am like most,I need at least 2 WIX FIXES a day just to see how its looking.Best Regards,Pete

[Beachy]

Gary

That's hysterical!

[Jim MacDonald]

Gary,

Are you going to have enough time to show us the ins & outs (& math) of taping & painting the National Insignia?

Thanks & hang in there!

Mac

[retroaviation]

Gary,

Are you going to have enough time to show us the ins & outs (& math) of taping & painting the National Insignia?

Thanks & hang in there!

Mac

Ooops. Forgot to do that with the two I'm just now finishing up on the wings, but I'll be sure to do that on the one remaining fuselage insignia. It'll be no trouble at all.

Gary

[Second Air Force]

Great poster, Gary! I knew that Skeeter HAD been a Tomcat, and this proves he still has what it takes (at least visually)!!

Scott

[Former Member]

Love the pic of Colonel "Mosquito" with the twin tails struttin his stuff on the wing! He's got that..."I run the show around here" look to him.

John

[retroaviation]

Yeah, he thinks he's a "star."




Gary

[Nathan]

Hi Gary,

I really have enjoyed what you have been able to do with the B-24. Great work and you get things done in a timely matter.

Just a quick question though. What is the story of the black underbelly?