Say NOT his name or CY will sue you

[marine air]

I'm of the thought that it is best to leave these very old guys alone. THese are their last years and at some point they deserve to retire from any public responsibilities. The story a few months ago about someone having a stuck gear on the P-51 and they called Hoover on the phone, seemed to me to be impolite.
There are many hundreds of younger people that actually know the mechanical systems of the P-51D better than Hoover. He was a pilot of a few hundred types of aircraft not a mechanic.
The time has come that if you're not family or a very close friend, it's rude to ask anything of them.

[Obergrafeter]

Think you are dreaming if you think some young whiper snapper would know more about a P-51 than R.A. The people that asked him are "family"

[aerojock]

I only met CY for a few seconds in Harlingen that was uneventful but I think some are too eager to jump Yeager's case on this one. This is a case of someone trying to capitalize on his name for profit. Most people you see on TV are paid for their endorsements in advertising. I think this is sort of like royalties for actor and reruns. A lot of actors got squat for their shows (Gilligan's Island) when they went into syndication. Some are suing for the use of their likeness ( Happy Days actors) that have been used for decades that they got squat for. As far as I know Yeager never signed away his rights to the use of his name to corporate use. I have not heard of Yeager ever suing a history book company for putting him in their books.

Jim

[CWBuff]

The time has come that if you're not family or a very close friend, it's rude to ask anything of them.

/disagree

Unless someone is really unhealthy and in a bad way physically or mentally, I don't think it's ever rude to ask questions. Ideally, that's what people are supposed to do in life... look to others who have greater experience and attempt to learn from them.

If the 'askee' declines, however... then I would say that it is rude to do anything other than thank them for their time and wish them a good day.


Fade to Black...

[51fixer]

I'm of the thought that it is best to leave these very old guys alone. THese are their last years and at some point they deserve to retire from any public responsibilities. The story a few months ago about someone having a stuck gear on the P-51 and they called Hoover on the phone, seemed to me to be impolite.
There are many hundreds of younger people that actually know the mechanical systems of the P-51D better than Hoover. He was a pilot of a few hundred types of aircraft not a mechanic.
The time has come that if you're not family or a very close friend, it's rude to ask anything of them.

Most people involved with these A/C will come to the aid of someone in a bad situation in a heartbeat.
We all want the best outcome for a bad situation.
I talked with the pilot who was flying it and he was grateful for some experienced help.
The rod from the actuator to the gear pivot had broke. Not uncommon. But this pilot hadn't experienced this situation before.

As far as some other mechanic knowing more, maybe yes and maybe no.
RA worked as an engineering test pilot. He worked with other engineers to create aircraft and systems and improve parts before the mechanic would get a chance to work on them.
I'd guess he has forgotten more than I will know. And he still probably knows more than I do.
I'd take his help.
It would be a fun discussion just to sit and talk with him a spell.

[maxum96]

I stole this from CY's flickr account. I just right clicked, copied and pasted. Sincerely, Jimmy Stewart

Now you've gone and done it. Mr internet police (aka bombadier29) is gonna turn you into CY for posting his image after you stole it! You crook!

[fotobass]

I saw him personally refuse to sign the book of a kid dying of cancer in a wheelchair and hooked up to kinds of tubes. You could have heard a pin drop after he turned and walked away, about 20 adults refusing to believe what they'd just seen. Finally, I heard an older guy whisper to someone, "Well, I guess at least I can feel a little better about him refusing to sign my book now..."

Seriously?

That's everything I ever need to know. That guy's dead to me...I don't care what he did outside of that.

[Rick65]

What exactly is the point of this topic?
There sure isn't any Warbird Information that I can see and I will go away wishing I hadn't opened it.

[Chappie]

My parents bought his Autobiography for Christmas when I was 12 or 13 years old. I loved it and he was a hero to me, but not so much any more. I never met him and sounds like I did not really miss anything. Over the years I've met Bud Anderson, Scott Crossfield, Walt Ohlrich, and Jim Lovell and all of them were just as nice as could be.

In the mid 90s I met Crossfield at my home airport where I used to work line servicemen. It is a little po-dunk airport and it was deserted when he arrived. I was in awe, and I was in my 20s by then, as we talked airplanes while I helped him unpack and tie down his Cessna. We talked another 10 minutes or so leaning on the counter and when I asked if he'd sign my logbook he did not hesitate to do so.

Yeager behavior is disappointing.

Chappie

[Zachary]

I will say this for Mr. Yeager, he VOLUNTEERED to be the chairman of the Young Eagles program, serving for 10 years in this role from 1994 to 2004. He flew hundreds of kids for the Make A Wish Foundation in this capacity. I may not agree with his attitude and treatment of folks most of the time, but I respect the man for his aviation accomplishments, the fact that he served his country, and for his work with Young Eagles.

[Mark Allen M]

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Last edited by Mark Allen M on Mon Sep 10, 2012 3:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[p51]

Plenty of famous people (especially pilots) in their later years can come across like jerks. I guess they've well earned the right, as dealing with the public would surely beat you down and you'd get so tired of answering, "So, how'd it feel the break the sound barrier?" for the 80,000th time.
That said, many of them simply don't deal in the public eye. Neil Armstrong is a classic example. The man hardly does any public events, rarely talks about the moon landing anymore and never signs autographs (he stopped doing so in the 90s, and his signture on anything is going for 4-5 figures now). If the man wants to lay low, in my mind, that's the way to handle things if you don't want to deal with people. If you're trying to stay in the public eye, well, you really should expect the reactions of people wanting your book signed.

[JohnB]

Neil Armstrong is a classic example. The man hardly does any public events, rarely talks about the moon landing anymore and never signs autographs (he stopped doing so in the 90s, and his signture on anything is going for 4-5 figures now).

In the 80s, I sent him a copy of the Apollo 11 National Geographic (which I picked up at a used book sale for $2) and sent it to him for his signature, which he did.
The other week I was speaking with a guy who is a serious collector of NASA space memorbilia...and he thought it might be worth $5,000.
Wish all my invetments were that good!

You're right, Armstrong is a class act...he didn't license his name and doesn't open up supermarkets or do car or autograph shows.

Last edited by JohnB on Fri Jun 15, 2012 8:44 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Mark Allen M]

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Last edited by Mark Allen M on Mon Sep 10, 2012 3:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Ken]

He is a war hero.
He was a very skilled pilot.
I have met him and he was particularly rude.
Nobody ever said that "famous" had to equal "nice".
We have hashed this in other threads ad naseum.
If he would prefer to avoid the public, he should choose to stay home.
It looks as if he deserved to win this particular court case.
I too regret opening this thread.