This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
Tue Dec 21, 2004 7:21 pm
Hi all
Well now we have just about come to an end of the year it is time to reflect for me on what has been a great year in this brother and sisterhood of "ol Hairyplanes'
My Highlights
Number one believe it or not was meeting a lot of great people in the UK, New Zealand, the US, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia and here as I expanded my travel a little more. Somehow I managed 17 different countries over the past 15 months and nearly always with aircraft not far away- was I dreaming?
Thanks to all the great guys and Gals I met in the UK particularly Tony C, Mike J, James, Peter A, Melvyn, Andy, Andrew, Damien, Robbo, Janie and all the rest sorry if I left you off the list but you know who you are and I value that trip so highly - it was truly a great experience- 37 different sites - 4700 pics, 7 hrs of video, 40 fried eggs, 2 kilos of Bacon, 431 aircraft, too much Pommie beer, several hundred thousand roundabouts, 5700 miles, one very trashed/thrashed Ford Focus (The speeding tickets have still arrived here - the cheek!!) WOW
Tony Andrews recent visit here was a great catalyst as not only was he a great bloke to meet, went to just about everything aviation in Australia and photographed it in the most spectacular style, he also stirred a lot of fantastic discussion and thought here by reflecting me on the huge resource we have sitting in sheds and museums all over Australia. He was generous to a fault in allowing me to share all his great shots with you and I will continue working through these and mine as I continue to build my on line library.
This brings me to the point of all of this rambling, self-indulgent post.
The best thing about this and WIX is the sharing - we all care passionately about what we are doing and our interest and a lot of you would give each other the shirt off your own backs to help each other (No Melvyn please don't send me yours - I have to draw the line somewhere). There have been times this year when a few have gone a little over the top from time to time and we have overcome that as we always do - the scars heal very quickly here as we all close ranks and get on with it and support each other.
Look at the guys cleaning the Shuttleworth aircraft - no pay, aggro from the family and brass monkey temp but there they are and next season the punters will file through looking at all the clean shiny aeroplanes without a thought for who got them that way. Very selfless and the same goes for all of you - so if someone thanks me for posting photos or whatever - I feel good and I thank them but then I think of everyone else doing their bit.
Actual aircraft highlights for the year
Wanaka 2004 - La9, Bretling boys last dance etc
Manilla P38 dig
Caboolture air show - Black Cat, Fiat, Avenger, CAC Mustang etc
Thailand, Cambodia, Laos - aircraft museums etc
Vietnam, Cambodia - Skyraider and Bearcat recovery recon
UK trip 37 sites in 3weeks - wow!!
Australia
Wangaratta - Kingfishers, Vengeances, Tonys, A20s, P40s, P39s and a Birdcage Corsair for Christmas WOW
Col Pays P40E
Judy Pays P40F
Flying Fighters Sea Fury etc
The Lincoln - Yep ask no more yet
The ongoing B24 at Werribee
and about 100 plus other projects happening here which I look forward to sharing as we go ahead.
So thanks guys it's been a great 2004 and all the best for Christmas and 2005.
Forget ego, Forget arrogance - learn humility - You will know when to stop if it isn't fun anymore
Kindest regards to everyone - I hope you have the best Christmas and New Year
John Parker