Gary Austin: Gone two years today.

[Pat Carry]

I know he is missed by a whole bunch of people!

[the330thbg]

i was just thinking of the photo he posted of his paint job on top of his 'cat'. The photo that shows his footprints back off wings. I laughed my a$$ off on that one.

I did not know him personally, just through his amazing posts.

Gary

[Cherrybomber13]

Happening across his thread on Ol 927 really renewed my interest and warbirds and led me here.

I never met the man, but for those things, I'll always be grateful to him.

I agree 110% with StangStung. This is the exact same reason I got involved with the Corsair restoration. Reading over his mega thread got me pondering and then talking to Jerry and Chris, and well now some how I'm in charge of the place... Gary was a true inspiration and he showed that anything was possible. The work he did on 927 is a lasting testament to that.

Blue Skies....

[lmritger]

I don't think I've ever seen one single solitary cross word spoken about our departed friend in all the years I've been here, which I think really says something. He was one of the most kind-hearted souls I've ever had the pleasure to interact with, and I will always regret not being able to meet him in person. I learned an amazing amount about what sort of hard work is necessary to preserve and display these amazing aircraft through his Ol' 927 posts, and every time I see a B-24, I immediately think of him.

Gary, we miss you. And Chris, I'm not gonna lie, that brought tears to my eyes.

Lynn

[slinky]

Like so many others here, I had never met Gary, though I read with great interest anything he posted. I really liked the "Timeless Voices" link.... What a guy.... Thanks to all of you for sharing your stories and memories. Makes me feel closer to a great guy I'd have liked to have known.

[spookythecat]

[rreis]

Some people make the world better, even when not around.

[fotobass]

I just went back to re-read the 'lightbulb' thread...

...and his pictures are gone.

*sniff*

Loved that thread and the creativity he put into those images. Damned photobucket...

[SPANNERmkV]

[Fouga23]

Time flies Even though I never met him, I still think about him a lot. He was such a beautiful and kind person. I have his memorial sticker with his logo on my car and when I'm done restoring my Fouga, his logo sticker will also be on it. I also have a piece of skin from 'ol 927 he gave me.
He was the reason I didn't quit aviation when certain people made me sick of it. His enthusiasm always made me smile. I would love to see that Austin acres Catalina wing picture again.
My backup download link for the EAA interview is also still up if anyone still wishes to have it:
http://www.fouga.be/GaryAustinEAAInterview.flv

RIP Gary. May God give you blue skies forever.

[viking73]

Wow, seems hard to believe...



Miss you buddy.

-Derek

[Tulio]

A tribute to a friend now departed, and also to a friend who keeps his memory alive.

Requiescant in pacem, Gary Austin,,, et lux perpetua, luce at eis

Saludos,


Tulio

Attachments

[Locobuster]

I have heard it said the measure of a man's greatness is best witnessed in the good influence he had on those around him, no better example than this... He will live on through the unparallelled legacy he left us all.

Syd

[Richard Woods]

It hardly seems true that its been so long.

I got talking to Gary some five years ago when I was trying to identify some bits of B29 on a hillside near where I lived. He was kind enough to answer all my messages, and help identify what he could. His posts regarding Fifi and Ol 927 were one of the things that inspired me to get off my behind and go volunteer working on old aircraft. I would bet it did the same for others.

[b29driver]

I miss Gary. I also miss Rodney Jackson. I regret so much that he didn't get to see the new engines.