Bill Greenwoods spitfire

RickH · **Posted:** Mon Jun 08, 2009 6:43 pm

Hang, nobody asks about the Hurricane because it is going to go through another total rebuild after being soaked with the Gulf of Mexico. The collision damage is now but a footnote in the rebuild.

Pogo · **Posted:** Mon Jun 08, 2009 6:50 pm

Gary's opening sentence was exactly what I was thinking! And his closing line appears to be not happening, so that's a good thing. Maybe progress is being made. :shock:

I'd heard a bellyful of warnings about Mister Greenwood, then got caught all alone on a ramp when he came snortin' up in his famous Spit. I was ready for the SOB. But I never had to draw my six-shooter, he was a very ordinary pilot hopping out of a ticking airplane politely inquiring if any chocks might be had. By the time I produced some, we were old friends. He kept suggesting I hop in the plane and take it around the patch a couple times and I kept demurring until finally agreeing so as not to hurt his feelings. Know what? It's a really SWEET flying airplane!

Okay, he made me sit in the cockpit and try it on for size, and I'm darn glad he persisted. I never knew the Spit had a stick like that, and it was the nicest cockpit I ever sat in after the P-39. And I was able to pretend-fly it as well as any man alive.

muddyboots · **Posted:** Mon Jun 08, 2009 7:04 pm

Bill's a great guy, hardly the kind of guy you'd have a problem with face to face. He just has well developed views about the freedom of speech, and listened to his heart. We've all been there. Bill, if you;re reading this: I still think of you and wish I could buy you a burger at the TBird Grill, and I'm still crossin my fingers for your spit!

Muddy

RickH · **Posted:** Mon Jun 08, 2009 7:23 pm

Bill came down to Houston a few weeks back on business. We spent a few minutes together and I showed him around the Collings CF hangars. Even though he professes to not like diesel aircraft, he sat in the F-4, and I believe began to get a semi soft spot for the TA-4. Well, at least hes aid he "thought it was pretty" ! :lol:

We had a nice visit, then he touched his finger to his nose, and then he was gone !!

Dave Cheeseman · **Joined:** Thu Feb 22, 2007 7:49 pm **Posts:** 171

Met Bill on the weekend at Russell's, he had me laughing my tushy off in about 5 minutes. He kept funnin with the Tiger boys and the WWI guys.

We won't go into the banning thing again, but I still think it sucks

Cheers Dave C

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Mon Jun 08, 2009 8:32 pm

Quote:

I WONDER WHY THAT IS?

I have my own opinions and feeling on the whole episode but will now shut my mouth. :angry:

Forgotten Field · **Posted:** Mon Jun 08, 2009 8:47 pm

Quote:

and I believe began to get a semi soft spot for the TA-4

Fighter pilots aren't supposed to get a SOFT spot when they sit in a fighter!
I miss Bill!

fotobass · **Posted:** Mon Jun 08, 2009 8:55 pm

For some reason I want to copy in a Bill Brasky sketch here.

b29flteng · **Posted:** Mon Jun 08, 2009 11:13 pm

I miss Bill too.

hang the expense · **Posted:** Tue Jun 09, 2009 12:00 am

Somebody needs to put a BARF alert on this thread.By all means lets gloss over the hurricane and not bring up any particulars.Maybe a greenwood website would make some people happy.

Fouga23 · **Posted:** Tue Jun 09, 2009 2:30 am

I miss him too around here

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Tue Jun 09, 2009 5:58 am

fotobass wrote:

For some reason I want to copy in a Bill Brasky sketch here.

Ha Ha To Bill Brasky!!

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Tue Jun 09, 2009 6:00 am

Having met Bill several times face to face, I can say that he always treated me like an old friend. Every year at the WIX party, he was one of the first to great me (usually with devilled egg in hand).

Simcoe Warrior · **Posted:** Tue Jun 09, 2009 8:15 am

fleet16b wrote:

Bluedharma wrote:

fleet16b,
That sounds like a fun event!
How was the turnout at the Friendly Foes Over the Falls Airshow?
Best Regards,

Aside from the ME109 issue, the show went very smoothly as usual.
Mr Russell sated to me that he thinks this year was the best turnout yet
The weather held and lots of flying before during and after each days show was done.
It is one of the best shows we do. Mr and Mrs Russell always take care of the pilots volunteers etc. They are fantastic hosts and very down to earth people.

Fleet16B, which Finch at the show was yours? Was it the one that was used at Windsor Mills EFTS?

Bluedharma · **Posted:** Tue Jun 09, 2009 8:39 am

muddyboots wrote:

Bill's a great guy, hardly the kind of guy you'd have a problem with face to face.

You are right Muddy...
WIX ban or not... If you get a chance talk to this guy... You will learn tons of stuff!!! Great guy.
I was talking to a few people at our B-17 Air Power Heritage Week we have each year.
He used to park his spit near the B-17, and I still hear from people how they miss the aircraft, and how they miss talking to Bill about it.

He was one of the few pilots that would stop and answer questions, and go over the aircraft. He even spent time talking to my daughter.

Been 2 years now, and people still mention how Bill would take a few min and talk to them. He was missed this year.
I hope to talk to him in person later this year at some of our air events!
-Paul

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Bill Greenwoods spitfire

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