Warbird Information Exchange

I am very sorry for your loss.

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Shop the Airplane Bunker At
www.warbirdbunker.com

Oh for crying out loud it's the new build one.........damnit....Never met Gerry but he was a great guy.

John

I hate this. Just re-read my warbird digest #11 about Gerry's homebuilt p-51a. Couldnt believe it was the "new" p-51. RIP Gerry

Just saw a big EAA logo on the news and I went cold, thinking NO, NO, not an accident at OSH! I'm still numb.

Then the 2 news choppers crashing in AZ. The news hurts tonight.

My thoughts go to Gary and the whole world of aviation that has lost him.

too much for me...

I'm imagining a slow roll in the distance.

Dave

Prayers and sympathies to the family and friends of Mr Beck.

Very sad news. I never had the chance to meet the man, however we're all related through our interest/passion for aviation. Hopefully if nothing else someone will learn from this accident so that it won't happen to them in the future, or changes will be made so it can't happen.

Jesus.

By some uncomprehendable stroke of fate, I've just spent my entire day redrafting the various chapters in my manuscript that dealt specifically with Gerry and the various Corsair projects he's owned over the years. I've been pouring over interview notes, photos, and all other types of info working to get back in touch with the man and the facts we've discussed through the years. It's 10:30pm here and I'm just now logging on to discover the man I've spent my entire day with lost his life this afternoon. Any other day it would have been hard, but might not have hit quite as hard. I've been staring at the man's smile all day. At least I'm left with some sense of having been close with him on the day he passed. Of all the warbird crashes though the years, this is the worst I've ever had it. It's going to be a horrible, horrible reality to face for anyone who knew the man. I can hardly bring myself to comprehend what his family might be going through right now.

I offer my deepest condolences to Gerry's family, co-workers, and friends. He was an ambassador among us IMO.

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Rob Mears
'Surviving Corsairs' Historian
robcmears@yahoo.com
http://www.robmears.com

Our condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to the Beck family. Gerry set the example for the rest of us as to what it means to be a member of the Warbird Restoration Family. God Bless You Gerry.

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Craig
http://www.connecticutcorsair.com
F4U-4 Corsair Restoration

I am incredibly shocked and saddened to read this. Gerry did so much for the warbird community, in restoring aircraft, working on improving operational safety, and as an ambassador. I talked with Gerry a few times over the years and he was always a true gentleman, very friendly and happy to answer questions about his projects.

My sincerest condolences to Gerry's family and friends, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Godspeed Gerry Beck.

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Dan Johnson

Iam also in a state of disbelief over the fact that Gary has died at Oshkosh. Like many I have read about Gary and the restorations that he has worked on. Finally thru my friend Dick Phillips I was able to meet Gary in person in September 2005 at his home base in North Dakota he showed Dick and I the P-51 A as well as the rebuild of the P-51C that was just starting over again.
He was a busy man, but he spent about an hour with us that day, and on tht same day we drove over to Kindred to see Bob Odegard and his son, and they were both very friendly people. The warbird community will indeed miss Gary his impact was far reaching. The only silver lining out of this terrible trajedy is the fact that Bob's son who is a very young man will live to fly another day. God speed Gary

I feel just sick to my stomach. The kids and I saw Gerry at WOTN last year.

Bless you Gerry, God Speed Sir!


Picture of the P-51A and my son Blake and daughter Britney 2006, St. Cloud Minnesota WOTN show.

Still too depressed to write much. As Kaigun Fan already mentioned, having talked with Gerry just Thursday evening makes today's accident entirely surreal. I wish quick comfort and healing to his family and friends.

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

This news saddens me. I never knew Gerry, all I knew of was that beautiful Mustang of his.

As I read all the post on this thread I am learning more and more about what an important part Gerry played in the warbird community. My thoughts are with his family now.

I kind of wish I had met him, or knew more about him before today. What happened would have a far more important meaning. In the least it has taught me to charish those close to me and it has motivated me to help fill the gap Gerry has left us in the warbird world.

Kind regards,

David

I never met Gerry but I wish I had. It sounds like he was a great guy.

My condolences to his family and friends.

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"Keep 'em Flying!"

We had to head for home Thursday evening and this the first I've heard about it. What a horrible thing to read when finally getting back on line. My prayers go out to those involved in this tragedy.