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Classic Wings Magazine WWII Naval Aviation Research Pacific Luftwaffe Resource Center
When Hollywood Ruled The Skies - Volumes 1 through 4 by Bruce Oriss


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B29B24crewchief
PostPosted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 3:34 pm 
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As much as I had hoped this day wouldn't come, it has. The following letter From CAF HQ is official.

It is with great sadness that I announce that Gary Austin has decided to resign as a member of the CAF HQ Staff. Moreover, Gary has decided to change the focus of his career outside of the “World of Aviation”. This is a huge loss for Aviation and a huge loss for the CAF. But, Gary and I spent a couple of hours in personal discussion and as much as I hate it for the CAF, and for me personally, I understand his decision.



In just one year Gary has made a very significant impact upon the CAF. His standards are high and he has helped us raise the maintenance bar to the level it belongs for CAF aircraft. I feel that Gary’s impact weighed heavily in our positive safety record in 2008. He is arguably one of the most respected talents in the Warbird world and his absence will be substantial.



At my request, Gary has agreed to stay on through the Wing Staff Conference and assist in a smooth transition.



I know you join me in wishing Gary the best, as he takes the next fork in the road.



Steve



Stephan C. Brown

President / CEO

Commemorative Air Force (CAF)

PO Box 62000

Midland, TX 79711- 2000

o - (432) 563-1000 x 2224

c - (850) 978-2736

www.commemorativeairforce.org

Gary will be sorely missed by myself, the CAF staff and the warbird community but we all wish him the very best in whatever he chooses!!
Good Luck Gary

Dave
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Pat Carry
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 3:40 pm 
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A loss for the CAF for sure. The best of luck to you Gary!

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Fouga23
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 3:41 pm 
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bluehawk15
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 3:44 pm 
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I sure hate to see Gary leave. I have said before, and I'll say it again, that bringing him onboard was one of the best things I've seen the CAF do in my almost 33 years of membership. Gary has done a wonderful job of bringing the maintenance standards of the aircraft up to where they should be. I only hope the position will be filled again, and with someone with as much love of the warbirds, and knowledge, that Gary has had.

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Jerry O'Neill
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 3:49 pm 
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Good luck on you new adventure Gary!
Jerry

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Warbird Kid
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 3:56 pm 
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Sad to see it happen, but good luck Gary! All the best to you!

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bdk
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 3:58 pm 
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Next thing you'll tell us is that Gary is getting married! :shock:

Whatever it is he will be doing I'm sure he will be very passionate about it.
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Ztex
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 4:02 pm 
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Gary is the one that helped to completely changed my mind about the CAF. I have been a big fan of theirs since I was a boy but they seemed to have grown stagnant over the years and their safety record had become rather questionable. Gary seems to have changed that mind set.

That and the revival of the airplane formerly know as Diamond Lil is one of the greatest warbird transformations I have seen and it is due to the hard work and diligence of Gary.

Way to go!

I wish Gary well in his new direction in life!

Gonna miss him around here too!

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Django
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 4:12 pm 
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Best of luck Gary in your new endeavor. Anything you ever need, I'm a phone call or email away my friend.

I've said this before, but if not for Gary, I would have never gotten involved in the B-24 project, and for that I am forever grateful.

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SPANNERmkV
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 4:12 pm 
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Truly a bummer from a purely selfish viewpoint .

Gary went with us last Friday to meet with the local FSDO about TEXAS RAIDERS' paperwork and he also inspected TR again.
There are numerous improvements to TEXAS RAIDERS that are directly attributable to Gary's "good eye."

Gary... you will be missed!

Don Price - Wing Leader
Commemorative Air Force- Gulf Coast Wing

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ww2John
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 4:43 pm 
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WOW!!

:drink3:

Best to You Gary in whatever your next chapter in life is.
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spookythecat
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 5:17 pm 
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Best of luck to you Gary!

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RMAllnutt
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 5:19 pm 
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Wow.... this is a surprise, and a sad one too. I sure hope that Gary keeps hanging around on WIX though... and why shouldn't he. Gary, I wish you the very best in your new endeavors. It's been a privilege to get to know you a little from afar, and you have my utmost respect.

All the best,
Richard

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Dan K
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 5:26 pm 
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Didn't see it coming, Gary, but wishing you all the best for the future.

Keep 'em flying! :wink:

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Neal Nurmi
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 5:42 pm 
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Somehow I knew what this was gonna be when I saw the thread title -- I just had that sinking feeling...

Good luck in whatever comes along next my friend -- you'll be missed by many!

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