von Dawson's Express

No, none of the 'oofo' balloony was mentioned... He broke up his lecture in to mainly two large chunks, his life before A14 and Apollo 14. He did mention that he lived in Roswell but did not mention any Ally-anns or OOfo's, in fact he gave a - how can I say this - a funny little smile when he mentioned Roswell. The interesting stuff was his degree's and college course's and his Navy career. He also talked warmly about Alan Shepard and Stu Roosa. Been a urban spaceman I would say I was nickpicy when he shewed Apollo 9's LM and Saturn F-500 and he claimed they were Apollo 14, but hey, we are all allowed a error or two! I like the man, in fact he's gone up in my ratings Regards all von Dawsons Express

In the latest (August) copy of B.I.S. Spaceflight magazine theres a very nice two page appriciation of Rex by his freind Dave Shayler... Well done Dave, your respect and freindship comes over as A-OK... Although I knew of Rex through his work in 'Spaceflight' I only met Rex the twice but he was always freindly to me, the last time he asked me how many autographs I had in my 'Who's Who in Space' (Rex contributed the Soviet section) - I replied about 30 and although he replied he had 350 he never bragged or gloated but encouraged me to keep at it and qouted a friend of his who had 450! BUT he lived in Houston and took holidays in Russia! Rest in Peace Rex, the Universe is dimmer... Regards all von Dawson's Express

Met Dr Mitchell last week, he comes over as a very pleasent gentlemen... I asked him about his Omega Speedmaster - one source I read said the crystal of his watch popped out as he climbed down the LM ladder - I asked him about this and he said it was news to him! and that nothing of the kind happened to his watch and that it was ok. I would add he is a little bit deaf and so if you have a strong accent try and speak clearly, am from Yorkshire and I don't think he had a clue when my crowd and I spoke I think you'll like to meet him and some how you will enjoy his talk... Regards all von Dawson's Express

I was sorry to hear of Rex's passing, although I only met him a couple of times I had read his work in BIS's 'Spaceflight' magazine (Last December we lost Neville Kidger and I am proud to add that Rex used some of my thoughts about Nev when 'Spaceflight' published an appriciation). Last time I met Rex last year he told me he had some 350+ autographs in his 'Who's Who in Spaceflight' by Michael Cassuet (Rex contributed to the book) and although I have a lowly 30 he was very interested in who I had met and got. Thank you for your work and efforts Rex, the Spaceflight Community will miss you... The Universe is dimmer for Rex's loss... Regards and bests to all von Dawson's Express

One area I find interesting is how people raise funds for there day (or weekend) at a Autographica. Do you work loads of over time and bank it? Have a 'small' second job? or what? For what its worth I collect scrap metal and weigh it in! Near where I live there's been five-six skips in the nearby streets and after a five-minute chat with the 'owner's' I just raid them - may be once-twice a week. I also collect old car batteries and collect aluminium drink cans, you may laugh and say 'skip rat...' well, laff away, between last September and April this year I made £87 thank you very much, not bad from rubbish, and oooo, does that money smell nice! Soooo, £20 for Gerry Griffin and (two autographs) £60 for Ed Gibson... What DO YOU do? Regards all von Dawson's Express

Robon Gibb (he of Bee-Gee fam) is to be on BBC News on 14 May 2010, campaigning for the memorial perhaps see the interview on BBC website... Sounds a excellent idea, if 60+ years over due! Regards and best wishes to all von Dawson's Express

Kiwi... U r a bit of a Lad! Can I have your Autograph? I noticed your enthusiasm before on this forum and enjoyed looking at the pictures your father took - it comes over that you seem to have great time at these events... Keep it up and enjoy your interest! Regards and best wishes von Dawson's Express PS May be we will meet?

....Crimestoppers maybe ? Or Crimewatch ? I wish!!! ha, ha, ha,

Hi Swan... You said something there... The girl with Ed Gibson would'nt shut up. When I bought my entrance ticket I was told to show it to the assistant's which I duly did to be greeted with a 'why you showing me this?' to which I repleid I was told to but she didnt have a clue what I was on about! I said may be some one is having alaff to which she started wittering, when I wanted to talk to Ed Gibson! There was a edge to her and when you say... Also - certain volunteers - please don't volunteer to work for Showmasters if you are going to be rude and miserable to the paying public. It kind of flagged up with me. Also she seemed to know me from some place, I said may be at past Autographicas, but I havent a clue who she was (or deep down not really care...) Other assistant's have been brilliant, they took the money, made there notes and asked what i wanted and let me chat with the guests... Any one got further thoughts? von Dawson's Express

I for one enjoyed this Autographica, I was on a limmited budget and was only going to meet Ed Gibson and Gerry Griffin (...and if funds allowed the Luftwaffe Experten... but unfortunatly they could not attend) I bought my entry ticket after a bit of a walk about the hotel as it was not very well signed but really it was'nt a problem. Buying my ticket was very speedy and I was soon in and met a few friends for a chat. Met Ed Gibson and he came over as a very nice gentlemen, I told him I followed his mission 'as a sprog' through newspapers and a black and white TV, he understood and said today we have too much information thrown at us with the www and 24 hour news... Gerry Griffin was busy so another mooch about but when I caught up with him - again - another childhood hero who did not disappoint, I asked him about the actor in the mini-series 'From Earth to the Moon' and he laughed and said it felt worse for him when Apollo 12 was struck by lightning. Talk about discussing real history with some one who was there/involved! and that is what makes Autographica so special. Well done team on another excellent event! Bring on September! von Dawson's Express PS if YOU was think of missing Sunday - DON'T - Try and get there, you won't regret it!

Try this Queen Sindel.... http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/...f-volcanic.html Regards all von Dawsons Express I hadn't heard about that Finnish incident yet. The news here had reported Lufthansa and KLM have both done test flights without problems. Frankfurt Airport and some other German airports were even temporarily re-opened in the afternoon for a couple of hours.

Am with you Bundyse on this one... And why can't Bundyse express a concern or worry... Any of you folks watched the news progs lately? A Finnish F/A 18 flew in the cloud had has probs. As we type and read a BA 747 is flying from Heathrow to Cardiff on a test flight. Guess there will be more about that later... Best wishes all where ever you are... von Dawson's Express this thread was not intended as a scaremongering tatic. i am sure this thought has crossed peoples mind like it crossed mine. but while the volcano keeps erupting this problem will keep coming an going.

No probs Ted, When you chat with him ask him about the numbering of Apollo on the ASTP flight. Some books say 'Apollo 18' and some just refer to 'Apollo'... But ask Vance, then tell us what he says... ;o) Have a gud 'un von Dawson's Express

Thats fair, one in London and one in Birmingham. I notice the Thistle Hotel is further west than the Raddisson - wht bus and tube links are there for London? On a personal note I got to like the Raddisson, I guess the Thistle is the same quality? One last thought, there was a free shuttle bus to the nearest underground when at the Raddisson - is there the same service from the Thistle? Regards all von Dawson's Express

Your looking for the Apollo 2TV-1 Thermal Vacuum Test, try... http://ston.jsc.nasa.gov/collections/TRS/_...2003-208933.pdf http://www.spacepatches.nl/apollo/2tv1.html Also Spaceflight magazine for March 2000 has a good article about this test and I think there was a mention more resently. I dont know where you will find the 'bored' picture in good quality, perhaps the NASA History Office may help. Hope the references are of some use Happy Hunting! von Dawson's Express

May I echo the sentiments of the others? Excellent and well done best wishes to all von Dawson's Express

Oh Good-o, Luftwaffe Experten! Its getting better and better this next Autographica, well done von Dawson's Express PS just a small point - its Bf 109 and Bf 110 never ever 'Me 109' or 'Me 110'...

Oh Good-o, Luftwaffe Experten! Its getting better and better this next Autographica, well done von Dawson's Express

Excellent, well done Showmasters, he really is a giant from the good ol' days of real spaceflight Keep 'em coming von Dawson's Express PS Ed Mitchell is over here giving a lecture - will he be at Autgraphica?

Excellent! Forbidden Planet is one of favourite SF films, will definatly go if only for a sign pic of him as Commander J. J. Adams. Well done, see you in May! Regards all von Dawson's Express

I was sorry not to meet the great man. I always liked his work esp The Dam Buster's... RIP Mr. Todd and thank you for all you did... Regards all von Dawson's Express

Sorry to say Spacefans but Konstantin Feoktistov has passed away... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8373161.stm Regards to all von Dawson's Express

Hows about Robert Truax? WHO??? You say??? Try this... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Truax What a career! Let me know what you all think.... Regards to all von Dawson's Express

How's about Leslie Bianchini and Regan Wilson... They were Playboy bunnies who had there pictures attached to the Apollo 12 cuff check lists as the crew walked on the moon... Regards all von Dawson's Express

How about Frank Everest, American Test Pilot who flew various Bell X-1 and Bell X-2 rocket powered research aeroplanes? Try www.astronautix.com Regards all von Dawson's Express