JBoyle said, It looks more like a trip to get video footage for fundraising/pr/propaganda.

I think we have a Bingo! Your suggested budget also fits with Gillespie’s well-known practice of tacking on at least 20-25% to each “expedition” or “research trip” for operating costs. This jaunt is only three people – Gillespie, Smith and another guy identified as a TIGHAR Researcher who, based on the requirements Gillespie set forth, had to have ponied up at least $5,000 for the privilege of going on this “research expedition.” No mention anywhere of how much of his $83,000-plus salary Gillespie is contributing.

Right now he needs every penny he can find …. got a biggggggg bill coming due in December (which he has not been talking about, at all, untypically).

The latest from TIGHAR: “We haven’t raised enough money yet but we’re going anyway. The logistics for TIGHAR’s December research expedition to England are now completed. Our team will be made up of TIGHAR Executive Director, TIGHAR Researcher Ernie Leroy, and TIGHAR video cameraman and drone pilot Mark Smith.”

Interesting … Gillespie said they needed to raise $25,000 to fund this very modest effort? And Mark Smith … isn’t he the same person who just got appointed to TIGHAR’s board of directors? … and wasn’t he the videographer on the Niku VIII expedition, you know, the one where they solicited member’s donations to make a video of the expedition? The video that never happened. And that refunds haven’t been given on (nothing has been said one way or the other publicly)? Are we getting into self-dealing territory here?

The trailer for Air Strike was … interesting … not the least for its playing very fast and loose with history (but that’s what Hollywood does best).

I’m conflicted about the growing use of bad/improbably/ridiculous CGI regarding WWII airplanes, and have taken to telling myself, firmly, that when I sit down to watch one of these, I’m going to enjoy it for the visual spectacle it is, not with any real hope that it will be or look even remotely accurate. It’s hard to do, but it makes things a little more enjoyable.

Gillespie never told the members what the financial toll of putting on the Earhart 75 Symposium was, other than saying “… we lost our shirt financially.” No mention of what percentage of the money taken in was used for “operating costs.” The conference website is no longer active, and I can’t remember what the registration fee and other costs were, but as I recall, they were modest.

“The Glenn Miller Project is going to England!

To conduct this research expedition we’ll need to raise $25,000 by November 15, 2018. If we’re successful, all contributors to the Glenn Miller Research Fund will receive a video of the expedition.

Contributors of $5,000 or more have the option of accompanying the expedition on all or any part of the trip.” according to the newest fundraising pitch on their website.

No, you can’t make this stuff up. Anyone have a spare five grand? I fancy sharing a pint or two with the expedition team …

My only concern to date is that when I hit the Post Reply button, I get a little “Working” text box, which while reassuring, can take some minutes to morph into my actual post.

At least you guys have SOME options. I seriously doubt it will ever make it to this side of the pond. 🙁

Regardless of the CGI, has anyone heard if this film will make it to the far side of the pond? I haven’t been able to find anything on a US release date.