February 20, 2021 at 5:10 pm
For those of you who knew Melv, it with great sadness that we received the news that he passed away earlier today after a long struggle against cancer.
Melv was one of the early members of this forum, aviation geek, author, airshow commentator and much more.
He will be greatly missed by all of us who had the honour to call him a friend.
Blue Skies Buddy
By: Archer - 4th March 2021 at 09:58
I found out yesterday that all the old threads about Melvyn’s Rearwin and the shenanigans that surrounded its first flight are still around, lurking deep in the forum’s innards. It was good to read some of those old posts again.
RIP Melvyn.
By: NewQldSpitty - 24th February 2021 at 10:57
RIP
By: dhfan - 24th February 2021 at 09:55
You missed out luthier.
When I bought the second edition of his electric guitar book he signed and dedicated it to me, suggesting that he’d reduced its value at a stroke.
By: stuart gowans - 23rd February 2021 at 17:23
I can only add my condolences, and reiterate what a great bloke he was, and he could count amongst his many talents, aviator and talented guitarist; blue skies Melv
By: cometguymk1 - 22nd February 2021 at 07:26
Blue skies. I cant really add to the glowing praise already shown.
By: Whitley_Project - 21st February 2021 at 20:52
Much respect to you Melvin – gone but never forgotten. Rest in piece sir
By: Andrew-O - 21st February 2021 at 16:04
Very sad news. A top bloke with a great sense of humour and knowledge of all things aviation.
By: Bruce - 21st February 2021 at 14:52
Back in the day, this forum was a great place to come to engage with well known and less well known figures from the world of Historic Aviation. People who one regularly encountered on the pages of magazines, and in books, but who you wouldnt otherwise have got to know. It was pre Facebook, and in many ways was an early experiment in social media.
Melvyn was one such – always happy to help, happy to share his knowledge and experience, and always ready for a laugh. I didnt know him except through interactions on here and occasionally on Facebook, and was shocked and surprised to hear of his passing yesterday.
Farewell old chap.
By: Arm Waver - 21st February 2021 at 12:01
I only met him a couple of times, and as folks have said before, he was a lovely chap. I used to love following the rebuilt and his other posting on here.
Blue Skies Melv, and thank you.
By: TEXANTOMCAT2 - 21st February 2021 at 10:49
Thank you for posting this I was hoping someone would. Uncle Melv was a cracking bloke and I got to know him years ago through this forum when it was the premier online historic place to be. The tales of the ‘Red Beaver’ were hilarious.
He faced his condition with bravery and dark humour and everyone who knew him will think fondly of him with a smile on their face. Blue skies Melv
TT
By: dhfan - 21st February 2021 at 00:00
Yes, he did. I haven’t seen him since which came as bit of a shock when I realised it.
His Aeroplane columns stopped a few years ago now so I guess the last time I heard him, and of him, was when he did a few joint Legends commentaries.
I wouldn’t go so far as to call myself a friend but it was always a pleasure to see and talk to him.
By: Auster Fan - 20th February 2021 at 23:04
Very sad news. I’m not sure as it was 15 years ago, but I’m think he read the eulogy at the late Steve Young’s funeral…
By: bazv - 20th February 2021 at 22:30
As above – always enjoyed his posts on here but never met him 🙁
By: trumper - 20th February 2021 at 21:54
RIP , never met him but enjoyed his posts on the old forum ,blue skies.
By: Prop Strike - 20th February 2021 at 20:15
What sad news. Melvyn was a big participant in this forum for years, and still a bit, in more recent times.
His Rearwin restoration was evidence of his own personal commitment to vintage aircraft, and numerous people including myself were lucky enough to have a trip.
He was a total aviation person, but somehow found the time to be even more beside.
By: Dave Homewood - 20th February 2021 at 19:14
Such sad news. Melv was one of the best contributors to this forum back in the day. He really knew his stuff and had a great sense of humour too. Many will remember him as a columnist in magazines and a commentator on the airshow circuit, or for his Rearwin Cloudster that we followed his rebuild and enjoyment of (that thread on here where someone argued with him that it was a red Beaver and did not believe him that is was a vermillion Rearwin always gives me a giggle when it comes to mind, and did to Melvyn too when I reminded him of it back in 2019 when he visited New Zealand and we finally met in person). I shall miss our conversations. RIP mate.
By: DazDaMan - 20th February 2021 at 19:04
Blue skies, Melv.
By: Trolley Aux - 20th February 2021 at 18:43
RIP Melvyn
By: adrian_gray - 20th February 2021 at 18:39
Thanks for letting us know the sad news. I remember when he was a fairly regular poster, usually very interesting.