A rant.

[Beachy]

Every now and then, at airshows where I'm displaying the Focke-Wulf, I get people commenting on this Nazi aircraft that I'm flying. Now, I wouldn't mind the comment if I was hauling my bulk in a 109 or a 190, but the wee 149 with her Maltese crosses and Federal Republic flag doesn't look so Nazi at all...

People forget that Germany existed before and after the Nazi regime........

[Eric Friedebach]

Is this another “Airshow Horror Stories” thread, LOL?

It’s been a few years since I’ve been on the airshow side of things, but I really don’t recall anyone complaining about the markings on the aircraft. How times change…

[T J Johansen]

For the benefit of our American friends, while at GML I intend to do a 7 minute routine with complaining, whining, and general b*tchin. Just to make sure your daily airshow routine stays normal (we don't want you to get spoiled...). This will take place near the commentary booth on the Saturday from 8:30am to 8:37am. Do bring your family and friends...

T J

Will you be selling T-shirts as well?

Hadn't thought of that. Would quite possibly be a hit, but then again, nah. I'd probarbly just start whining about not getting paid enough...

T J
(Getting my soapbox ready for shipment to Ohio)

[ZRX61]

We also meet some idiots along the way. We just take it all in stride. . .

Cheers!

As a part-time amature idiot I'm offended at being compared with air show *anoraks*.

[ZRX61]

At Geneseo I made sure to watch out for the warbirds in case some idiot descided to go break something on them. The most I saw was someone trying to stick there entire finger in the cannon barrel of Mr. Bill Greenwoods Spitfire! When he plainly had a sign out that said don't touch! Thankfully that was the worst that I saw those days. But still, it makes my blood boil.

-Nate

I find that sneaking up behind the person & yelling *BANG!!!* very loudly is quite effective.... or blast em with one of those portable airhorns they sell at yacht chandlers..
Was looking after an A26 once which was festooned with all sorts of faux weaponry including wing mounted 500lb bombs & a bunch of rockets. It's amazing how much distance people keep when they realise the loud ticking noise is actually coming from one of the dummy bombs that had a very large alarm clock inside the (fiberglass) casing. This was before 9/11, probably wouldn't get away with that these days. Had a few very interesting conversations throughout the day tho.

[REGINALD VON GLEASON III]

If these rednecks could abstain from one xtra brewski a day..do the math..maybe the species could buy itself out of houses supported by wheels.
I remain,
Reggie

[Former Member]

If these rednecks could abstain from one xtra brewski a day..do the math..maybe the species could buy itself out of houses supported by wheels.
I remain,
Reggie

Doubtfull...not unless they also lay off the meth, hillbilly heroin, eating lead-based paint chips, and stop inbreeding.

John

[oscardeuce]

Hey, the lead paint keeps our teeth white.

[muddyboots]

^ best reply EVAR!

[Chris]

Hey, I just picked up on this thread after spending a few nice cool days in San Diego. I'll post some SD Air and Space Museum pics later. I love Eric Downings replies. Great stuff. I've always tried to be polite to people who are innocently ignorant but the beligerent know it alls can be fun too. We had a kid one time time, maybe ten years old that was trying to do pull ups on the chin turret guns on Sentimental Journey. After being told to not do this, politely by me the first time, he was soon standing on the radio operators table trying to look out the radio hatch. After chasing him off of that, by the way, his parents were no better, he began to ask me all the usual questions. He took particular interest of the "little rubber tube" exiting by the tailgunners position. I told him that this was to inflate the seat for the tailgunner because it got pretty uncomfortable back there on long trips. I don't EVEN have to tell you what he was doing in less than thirty seconds. Somewhere I have the picture, if I ever find it I'll post it. I asked him if he was able to blow it up. He insisted that he was but that it tasted funny!!!!!!!!!!

[skydaddy61]

I'm sure this has happened to a few of you... Fellow trying to turn the prop of an L-3.

I jogged over and asked if he was trying to start the aircraft.


Better response would've been to ask him to wait until I could climb in and get on the brakes.

[Paul Krumrei]

The only time that I was disappointed that a plane was not there, was maybe twice....once because it was my grandfathers aircraft at one point ( BT-13 ) and the lady who owns it, just didn't make it....I was bummed out because I have not seen the bird in a while..but never bitched about it.

And the only other time I was not so disappointed was the lack of BT-13's at Osh in 2005 when I was there. However, on the bright side, I met a really nice man and his wife, Duane Packard "pac-man" who's BT-13 is a wonderful site to see!!


People should take the time to enjoy what is at an airshow and not complain about what is NOT there....if they really wanted to see a fortress, then they would take the time to find out where one is, and go to see it, even if it is to catch a ride in it and shell out a few bucks to help pay the avgas. Like my dad always says, "There are more horses asses then there are horses!"

[leo]

I've had people blow into pitot tubes, wag the ailerons, elevators and rudder, and climb up on the wing to get in, just like they owned it. AND get p.o.'d when confronted. Once had to work a handful of peanut shells out of an intake...
The worst and rudest I ever saw was at the Reno races in 1999. Gary Levitz had been killed in the crash of his racer, and the Thunderbirds, in their usual gesture of respect, had cancelled their flight for the day. The family behind me threw a loud, profanity laced fit over it until someone in the crowd finally told them to either shut up or leave. They left, vowing to get their money back.

[Paul Krumrei]

I've had people blow into pitot tubes, wag the ailerons, elevators and rudder, and climb up on the wing to get in, just like they owned it. AND get p.o.'d when confronted. Once had to work a handful of peanut shells out of an intake...
The worst and rudest I ever saw was at the Reno races in 1999. Gary Levitz had been killed in the crash of his racer, and the Thunderbirds, in their usual gesture of respect, had cancelled their flight for the day. The family behind me threw a loud, profanity laced fit over it until someone in the crowd finally told them to either shut up or leave. They left, vowing to get their money back.

I am not a violent person, but I think he would have gotten his teeth back.