The Legacy of Cockpit-Fest

It is a great grass roots event. I am delighted it has sprouted to the US and Oz.

I would still love to see some cross pollination, to take my Spit to the US or Oz would be great!

Well perhaps we should agree to disagree; my experience being different to yours.

Pete; I didn’t mean the histories of the various A/C, (which can all be learned parrot fashion) but the nut and bolt end of things.

T/O; I’m glad to hear that Flypast still supports the event, it’s maybe a shame that they no longer run a feature in the magazine, as dragging exhibits up and down the highways can be a thankless task; to see a photo in FP made that effort feel worthwhile.

Mike J, your post (to which I was responding) has disappeared

Perhaps you’re too busy advancing grassroots preservation by sitting in your cockpit section in your garage, dressed in a flying suit and bonedome and making aeroplane noises to entertain yourself.

I like your thinking, but actually I’m in the photograph, (and a dozen or so more) my aeroplane and cockpit sections are well travelled.

I have thought about my statement, and can see your point, (I tend to focus on one area of warbird preservation and am speaking about the majority of owners of these A/C)

There is much in this world that isn’t as it seems, and people who you think own a certain A/C, don’t; this isn’t the time for name and shame, but I do stand by my remarks about the owners of these aeroplanes, its big business, suffice to say that the era of owner operators is behind us. (unfortunately)

To me the first photo highlights the difference between the “grass roots” end of aircraft preservation and the upper echelons, where the aeroplanes are owned by faceless companies (or individuals) that are never photographed with their piece(s) of history, and in many cases have little knowledge about them either; long may they (the events) continue.

It is a shame however that Flypast no longer supports the (British) event.

I’m not sure I agree with the sentiment that warbird owners are not knowledgeable. Most that I have known are extremely enthusiastic and actively research the history of their aircraft.
I agree that events like CockpitFest deserve all the publicity they can get, because they are just as valid as flying aircraft, and have a distinct advantage in that they are accessible in a much more hands-on way, which counts for a lot.

Pete

Well, I can only think of one owner who has his aircraft registered in Jersey, and I can assure you that he is far from one of these “faceless companies (or individuals) that are never photographed with their piece(s) of history, and in many cases have little knowledge about them either” that you seem to dislike so much.

Perhaps you’re too busy advancing grassroots preservation by sitting in your cockpit section in your garage, dressed in a flying suit and bonedome and making aeroplane noises to entertain yourself.

Or maybe you’re just stereotyping…………

I would but I find the retention of A/C serial no’s beyond my current mental capacity; I would only add that I have never been to Jersey, or the Cayman islands, and neither have the various warbirds registered in these (and many other parts) of the world; if your luckier than I with the power of retention simply go to the CAA’s G-info and look them up.

………the upper echelons, where the aeroplanes are owned by faceless companies (or individuals) that are never photographed with their piece(s) of history, and in many cases have little knowledge about them either………

Really? Most of the owners I know are far from faceless, and are extremely knowledgable about the history behind the airframes in their care. Perhaps you would like to give some examples to support your assertion.

FlyPast has supported the last two UK Cockpit-Fests financially (thanks NP & everyone in Stamford) and I would like to think that they might do so again. 🙂

Since the changes that followed KE’s semi-retirement and the reduction in support, I have personally worked hard to try and fill the shortfall that ensued and I am very grateful to a lot of additional support that has been forthcoming – including from several forumites! 🙂

You know who you are and many thanks! That includes some passes and tickets from Justin and the Kansas team – thanks to you.

After tomorrows event at NAM – my emphasis will be switching to Cockpit-Fest 2013 and the associated Aeroboot / Aerojumble.

To me the first photo highlights the difference between the “grass roots” end of aircraft preservation and the upper echelons, where the aeroplanes are owned by faceless companies (or individuals) that are never photographed with their piece(s) of history, and in many cases have little knowledge about them either; long may they (the events) continue.

It is a shame however that Flypast no longer supports the (British) event.

Lovely article!