von Dawson's Express

Are you for reel (real)... Try... http://uk.imdb.com and tap in Mickey Rooney's name... and find 'National Velvet' one of the greatest feel good films of all time (perhaps get Liz Taylor at A13...) and then come back... Am not a big enthusiast of film stars, spaceflight is my big interest, but I have enough respect to realise that Mickey Rooney is one of Hollywood's greats. I won't be going for his Auto but understand a lot of people will be very happy and thats nice to see, I guess there'll be some great big grins over A13. Well done team and best wishes to all von Dawson's Express

Good Suggesstion Shearwater... Go for him team, be great to meet him esp. as he nearly flew on Apollo 17 so any one with Geno Cernan's auto may be interested???? Regards all von Dawson's Express

At the risk of been boring what about Bonny Dunbar who has flowen on the shuttle? I have heard that she is visiting a boarding school in Surrey (A parent of a child I was talking to told me) at the beginning of April, how about asking if she would do A13??? Regards all von Dawson's Express

I to would like to see a few more Shuttle era astronauts, von Dawson's Express

I have heard that Bonny Dunbar who has flowen on the shuttle is visiting a boarding school in Surrey at the beginning of April, how about asking if she would do A13??? Regards all von Dawson's Express

Good idea, we did have Penny Spencer the other year, so why not Gabrielle Drake? How about John Wimpenny who helped design the de Havilland DH 108 that killed Geoffrey de Havilland? How about Dennis Bancroft who designed the Miles M52 supersonic aeroplane that was cancelled?? They are contempories of Eric Brown who we had in 2007???

Excellent, a real hero, will have to buy Putnam's book of the Avro company now! Keep up the good work! von Dawson's Express

Would like to see astronauts and cosmonauts, test pilots and fighter pilots... but how about some astronomers? Heather Couper, Sir Bernard Lovell (Jodrell Bank fame), Joclyn Bell Bernell (pulsars) How about Tim Furness, Reg Turnill, David Hardy and Ian Ridpath??? Regards von Dawson's Express

I second that Descartes, will see you there! U seen sight of my answer to your question on A12? von Dawson's Express Hi Space Fans, Don't want to be boring but I copied my reply to Decartes question from A12, hope its of interest... Helen Sharman gave a lecture tour and on 19 February 1995 she visited York and gave a lecture to some 300+ people at York Barbican Centre. If I remember rightly she introduced her self, discussed her career at Mars Confectionary and talked about the advert she had seen 'Astronaut Wanted: No Experiance Necassary' and discussed her selection and trips to the Soviet Union. She also showed off a few props, space food in tubes and peices of hardware. Then she showed a film of her mission to Mir and no she did not show the pink nighty shot... Finally she then held a Q and A session (The presentation was not that long perhaps around 40+ minutes) followed by a book signing - 'Seize the Moment' had been published by Victor Gollancz in 1993 and in 1995 the paper back had come out. Quite a few punters had them - I went with the York Astronomical Society and I think some 20+ of our gang went. A friend of mine's father was Lord Mayor of York at the time and we caught up with him and was cheeky, his lackys were a bit upset, I replied I had known him longer than they had been on the planet, they DID not like that! We joined the queue and when we caught up with her I think she had seen us make fun of the mayor and joined in on our banter. I asked her to say hello to Alexei Leonov and quoted 'Turn Left at Orion...' She laughed and said OK. I found her great fun and she signed her (mine...) book with inscriptions and extra words with no fuss or bother, she signed with 'to Martin, on your birthday - with best wishes Helen Sharman', my big regret is my camera was stuffed at the time and so I did not bother taking it and all my gang had not bothered with there's! Every time I catch up with them I ask for picys and draw a blank! I think she had some one like a PA with her, am not sure but I wondered if she was Helen's sister, but I could be wrong. She certainly was very gracious and freindly lady and I for one would love to meet her again. Sorry for going on so long with incidentel rubbish but I hope it gives a flavour of the evening, admitidly a long time ago and my memory is not that good... I for one will be pleased to meet Helen again - one more in my 'Who's Who of Space' - try www.astronautix.com for more bio info. Regards and bests to you all von Dawson's Express

Hi Space Fans, Sorry for been 'Silent Key' been a bit busy of late and away from the tin-brain... Reet, Helen Sharman gave a lecture tour and on 19 February 1995 she visited York and gave a lecture to some 300+ people at York Barbican Centre. If I remember rightly she introduced her self, discussed her career at Mars Confectionary and talked about the advert she had seen 'Astronaut Wanted: No Experiance Necassary' and discussed her selection and trips to the Soviet Union. She also showed off a few props, space food in tubes and peices of hardware. Then she showed a film of her mission to Mir and no she did not show the pink nighty shot... Finally she then held a Q and A session (The presentation was not that long perhaps around 40+ minutes) followed by a book signing - 'Seize the Moment' had been published by Victor Gollancz in 1993 and in 1995 the paper back had come out. Quite a few punters had them - I went with the York Astronomical Society and I think some 20+ of our gang went. A friend of mine's father was Lord Mayor of York at the time and we caught up with him and was cheeky, his lackys were a bit upset, I replied I had known him longer than they had been on the planet, they DID not like that! We joined the queue and when we caught up with her I think she had seen us make fun of the mayor and joined in on our banter. I asked her to say hello to Alexei Leonov and quoted 'Turn Left at Orion...' She laughed and said OK. I found her great fun and she signed her (mine...) book with inscriptions and extra words with no fuss or bother, she signed with 'to Martin, on your birthday - with best wishes Helen Sharman', my big regret is my camera was stuffed at the time and so I did not bother taking it and all my gang had not bothered with there's! Every time I catch up with them I ask for picys and draw a blank! I think she had some one like a PA with her, am not sure but I wondered if she was Helen's sister, but I could be wrong. She certainly was very gracious and freindly lady and I for one would love to meet her again. Sorry for going on so long with incidentel rubbish but I hope it gives a flavour of the evening, admitidly a long time ago and my memory is not that good... Regards and bests to you all von Dawson's Express PS Thank you for the kind comments Descartes! I follow your postings and find you talk sense, we should meet up! ;o) quote name='descartes' date='Nov 18 2008, 03:16 AM' post='1253956'] Mmmm! I bet it's a while since 'Von Dawson's' met Ms Sharman! You're more likely to meet a Yeti on Sheffield High Street these days! Von Dawson's Express, Perhaps you might want to tell us a little more about your meetng with Helen Sharman. I am honestly really interested ?!?!

Helen Sharman is lovely, once met her, would be good to get her at A13... Fredo Haise signed enough autos at Pontefract last month, so why would'nt he do another autographica??? Any astronaut/cosmoanut is fine by me, but if there was just the same faces I think I would not be coming. How about Simon Cowell? What mission did he fly on, is he a shuttlenaut??? Who is he any way.... ;o) von Dawson's Express

What a nice set of pictures!, Well done you, I see you getting some big numbers in your course! Keep it up and all the best on your course Regards and bests von Dawson's Express

Whats wrong with 'something' hanging around your neck? I was miffed I forgot my Inmarsat neck ribbon, oh hum. I was a bit disappointed at the tags, I was hoping they would have some fancy graphics and be worth saving, although I will keep mine, guess you should pick different colours though for the next events as people will be bringing them and sneeking in after checking the colours ;o) I would say Our Lass came in with me, but she was not interested in meeting people and autographs and just carried my bags. But whats to stop 'A Out Sider' talking to a guest in the corridors? We had a great ten-minute chat with 'Johny' Johnson. We could not get away! He wanted to talk, any one at the hotel (and out side) could have chatted to the guests. As for Dave Scott and Jim Lovell sat looking bored, two thoughts, a) there price while theres a credit crunch people are skint and they have been before and every one went for there autographs then, Jim Lovell last year and Dave Scott at Birmingham had huge queue's, but not this year. Tell you what, I enjoyed the event and will be at Birmingham. Regards and bests von Dawson's Express

I would agree... I mainly go to Autograhica for the Astronauts but I have a healthy respect for the actors like Andrew Sachs. Who ever told Russell Brand and Jonathen Ross they were funny is mistaken, they are as funny as tooth ache, will they be still around when there in there 50's-60's-70's? I hope not...

I enjoyed it so much on Saturday, I had to go in again on Sunday morning. (Our Lass and I stayed in the hotel, execellent service, food, the rooms and staff) Met and chatted to Jerry Carr, Vance Brand (I remember there missions), Gary Lockwood and Keir Dullea were a great team - like some one else said a great double act (On the Sunday met with Heather Downham, a lovely lady with lots to say about 2001) Had a good chat with Mat Irvine and 'Johny' Johnson, Yes a quite show (may be the credit crunch... ...who knows) but a excellent weekend and I'll certinly be making the next Autographica my 5th! Well done team and thank you for your efforts and hard work von Dawson's Express PS Had a Yuri Gagarin Autograph confirmed, very pleased....

When he did 'Robot War's' The First War, he was not very popular, but I would say it was anicdotal... But Craig Charles was a very nice chap, had pleanty of time for evey one and would chat away - one incedent I liked was, he was out side the set having a fag and a rest when a young boy about 8 or 9 went up to him and he signed a book (or photo) for him and took the time to talk. I watched from some distance and could see a differnt person to the one the tabliods would report about him Since then I have always had a respect for Mr. Charles. Regards von Dawson's Express

How about Ringo Starr.... Sorry, had to get that in. Seriously, thank you to every one answering my message, its appriciated, A good theme if the Apollo astronauts could not make it, is if the Shuttle retires in 2010 how about a shuttle theme? There where some big missions in the '80's, rescuing satellites, launching planetary probes and launching and servicing Hubble. Try www.astronautix.com Regards and bests von Dawson's Express

Edger Mitchell, Apollo 14 Richard Gordon, Apollo 12 Walter Cunningham, Apollo 7 Frank Borman, Gemini 7 - Apollo 8 William Anders, Apollo 8 Tom Stafford, Gemini 6, 9, Apollo 10, ASTP Thomas Mattingley (Apollo 13) Apollo 16, Shuttle John Young, need I say any more... Skylab crews... Soviet/Russian Cosmonauts... Hell, why not have a completely spaceflight Autographica Special, say around July, (lets see) I think theres an anniversary coming up....... von Dawson's Express

Ya, lovely picture, nice smiles all round, shame about the shelf on the wall behind them.... Guess thats a problem at some events its the back ground.... See you all at the weekend von Dawson's Express

Sorry if this is the wrong place, but as Tony Curtis was at Autographica 11 I feel you should know that he was on BBC Radio 2 this afternoon (Monday 20th October) He came over as a very nice guy and was very complimentrey to Autograph hunters! Perhaps a trawl throug BBCi may find the interview? Regards von Dawson's Express

Sounds A-OK to me. In what form will they take? Will they be a credit card size and nice looking to keep as a souvenier?? Will they be in a clear plastic folder for the card to slide in and they are worn like a badge??? I'll bring my Inmarsat neck band! Sounds, better than the chidish poxy wrist bands, felt like a bloody girlie wearing them! See you in two weeks, if you know who I am! von Dawson's Express

Will Jerry Carr and Vance Brand have there autobiographies with them? I think Mr. Carr has one but not sure about Mr. Brand. Look forward to your answer. Regards and bests all von Dawson's Express

I thought Stanley Kubrick ordered that every thing was to be destroyed after filming? Regards von Dawson's Express PS1 Say hello to Mat for me... PS2 if you like 'Robot Wars' ask Mat for his autograph...

Yes, stop monkeying around...

Disappointing to hear he has cancelled again, hope he's A-OK... Regards all von Dawson's Express