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TCFG FLY-IN
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Peter Bichier

Joined: 25 Aug 2008
Posts: 103
Location: Toledo, Ohio

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 6:49 pm Post subject: TCFG FLY-IN

Commander Gordon!



Since I have your attention for a second, let me 1st congratulate you on your Pago Pago story! I had read that quite a while ago, and it's one of those stories that made me smile for a while, and of course made me dream too! thanks 



As we say, "la vida es un paÃ±uelo" (life is a hanker chief),



when I arrived at Wiley Post on thursday, I was surprised by the size of the airport, all I saw were gigantic hangars, a beat up Push Pull, Cherokees some Bonanzas, Jets, the usual. I was there around 13:30 and from the forum notes at least Jim should be around, but I couldn't see or even less hear a Commander... I really got worried for a moment! (8hours from Toledo!, commercial airline, 4 day car rental, 2 days off...) I went to the FBO, and they had no idea who and what TCFG was or doing that day or anytime... so I went to see the Airport Manager, he even was more cluless! I'm trying to politely say to the manager that he really SHOULD know what's going on in his airport, and that he should make some phone calls to see where the Commanders are taxing. Suddenly this tall dude comes in, and asks the manager for how long the main airstrip is going to be closed because he needs to approach at 160 or 180 mph! ... so after I finally give up on the manager, I follow the tall guy and ask him what kind of airplane approaches at that speed?

he turns around and points out to me to one of those huge hangars and tells me that there is a black Bomber out there! thanks! 

I hopped on my rental and headed out that way, looked for it and wasn't too sure what he meant (don't know very well my war birds -> it certainly sounded like a great airplane, but I thought it was going to be tanker to turn off fires... ) and there and behold was the beutiful black A-26! that YES I immediately recognized and saw similarities!

As I tried to get close to it, (that 1st shot that you see in the album is actually through the fence and w. a 10x digital zoom) I saw a Shrike landing, followed it with the eyes, and then I new where to go!

That's how my 1st minutes started, little did I know that the next day I would be invited to climb the cockpit!



Again, what a great meeting, photos speak for themselves.



I couldn't agree more with your comments!,



p.



[quote="cloudcraft(at)aol.com"]Ditto, here.   I took a quick glance this morning and wanted to go back this evening and really savor each one.

 

 By the way -- and this may have been made very obvious to everyone at the Fly-In -- isn't it interesting that there was a A-26 at the Fly-In and it was one of Ted Smith's projects while at Douglas Aircraft?   

 

 Did everyone get the similarity between the A-26 design and cockpit photos and the shots of the AC-520?  I think that's amazing!   Couldn't have been planned better for a celebration of the Commander's birthday.

 

 If Peter's photos were still up, I'd list each complimenting picture number between the A-26 and a Commander.

 

 Wing Commander Gordon

 

 

  Life is not simple anywhere. Probably less so elsewhere.

_________________
560 Dreamer

cloudcraft(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 8:35 pm Post subject: TCFG FLY-IN

Peter, (and everyone!)

 

 Thanks for getting your photos back up.  I know I'm not the only one who feels the need to catch up on the Fly-In and your album helps fill a void in those of us who did not get to attend.

 

 I ran through the photos rather quickly again -- I have to leave at 05:30 and will be gone for 5 days so there's one or two other things I have to deal with this evening.

 

 Just for fun, look at photos of the A-26, especially #2, 97, 100 and 102.   Then scroll over quickly to #138 and 246 (note the tail group similarities) and then check out the the control yoke and throttle quadrant in #155 and then, finally, the side view in #195.

 

 I've been in that particular A-26 or one nearly identical (how many black A-26s are flying around?) and was amused to find that the flap & gear indicator was the same as the bathtub nacelle Commanders -- as were the magneto switches and I think gear and flap handles.

 

 Well, when you work for Douglas Aircraft and go build an airplane in your garage and then get it in production, you're probably going to use the same vendors you bought from at the big factory, right?

 

 Not to be missed, either, were the shots of the 1121 Jet Commander -- what Ted envisioned as the ultimate evolution of the Commander before Rockwell pushed him out t he door.

 

 Of course he got busy with the AeroStar ... and at the factory in Santa Maria, California, there were artist's renderings of that airplane with jet engines, along with a sailplane he was working on called the Soaring Star.

 

 The man was a genius.  We all know that.   I, for one, am glad there's a gallery on line for all the historical material your photographed -- and the beautiful restorations that appeared at the event.  Some of you guys have gone above and beyond the basic "paint and interior" jobs.

 

 Thank you!

 

 Wing Commander Gordon

 

   

 

  Life is not simple anywhere. Probably less so elsewhere.

   

 

   

 

 --

Peter Bichier

Joined: 25 Aug 2008
Posts: 103
Location: Toledo, Ohio

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 9:57 pm Post subject: TCFG FLY-IN with pictures!

Sorry me again,



I'm missing a couple of people -captions for the album:



Who was the Aero Commander Chief Engineer that came along with Bill  McGinnins and that worked for the plant & Co. throughout the production life of these birds?

He is on #201



What about Amis brother's grand son? great guy too, but I just don't remember his name or his wife... I know you can blame it on the wine and the susspens of the auction! but hey, not too many blurry pics!

He is on #215



Has anyone Danny Davis's email or phone contact? Danny, are you also part of the group or on this forum? He's all around these pics and he is also interested in sharing the groups experience with the Oklahoma Pilot Association. He also has the oldest bird around... 



The album seems to be working out now, and should see some kind of captions, as you scroll them; otherwise poste it, and I'll update it.



http://picasaweb.google.com/YVABE560/TCFG?pli=1&gsessionid=v_1_HAHeT-EOO0uVDMwU2g#[/quote] 



take care all,



OK, done with my home work for the time been...



p.



 	  Peter Bichier wrote: 	
		  For those who where there, here is an opportunity to see what really happened!



There was so much going on that it was even hard to take time off to take pictures...



Been the new comer I took the leisure to step back a bit and be the external eyes of the group.



If any of those pictures interest you (Sue/Jim) for the up coming newsletter let me know! (Barry, Russell) here is what I have, so just point out what you want to have me send you your way.



Good night folks, and have fun!



thanks again all!



p.



http://picasaweb.google.com/YVABE560/TCFG?pli=1&gsessionid=v_1_HAHeT-EOO0uVDMwU2g#

_________________
560 Dreamer

craigk391(at)sbcglobal.ne
Guest

Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 8:32 am Post subject: TCFG FLY-IN

Gang,



I'm regretting having to miss the fly-in, and after seeing the photos, envious of the gorgeous Commanders and their doting owners!  Not sure if mine will ever measure up, but I now have examples to shoot for.



I would like to echo a previous post requesting a copy of the materials shared at the fly-in.  Can these be posted on the web, or packaged for mailing?



Congrats on a great event.



Craig



--- On Wed, 9/24/08, Peter Bichier <pbichie(at)UTNet.UToledo.Edu> wrote:

[quote]From: Peter Bichier <pbichie(at)UTNet.UToledo.Edu>

Subject: Re: TCFG FLY-IN

To: commander-list(at)matronics.com

Date: Wednesday, September 24, 2008, 10:57 PM



 	  Quote: 	
		  --> Commander-List message posted by:  "Peter Bichier"

<pbichie(at)UTNet.UToledo.Edu>



Sorry me again,



I'm missing a couple of people -captions for the album:



Who was the Aero Commander Chief Engineer that came along with Bill  McGinnins

and that worked for the plant & Co. throughout the production life of these

birds?

He is on #201



What about Amis brother's grand son? great guy too, but I just don't

remember his name or his wife... I know you can blame it on the wine and the

susspens of the auction! but hey, not too many blurry pics!

He is on #215



Has anyone Danny Davis's email or phone contact? Danny, are you also part

of the group or on this forum? He's all around these pics and he is also

interested in sharing the groups experience with the Oklahoma Pilot Association.

He also has the oldest bird around... 



The album seems to be working out now, and should see some kind of captions, as

you scroll them;  otherwise poste it, and I'll update it.



http://picasaweb.google.com/YVABE560/TCFG?pli=1&gsessionid=v_1_HAHeT-EOO0uVDMwU2g# 	






take care all,



OK, done with my home work for the time been...



p.

Peter Bichier wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   For those who where there, here is an opportunity to see what really

happened!
	


 	  Quote: 	
		   

 There was so much going on that it was even hard to take time off to take

pictures...
	


 	  Quote: 	
		   

 Been the new comer I took the leisure to step back a bit and be the

external eyes of the group.
	


 	  Quote: 	
		   

 If any of those pictures interest you (Sue/Jim) for the up coming

newsletter let me know! (Barry, Russell) here is what I have, so just point out
	


what you want to have me send you your way.

[quote] 

 Good night folks, and have fun!

 

 thanks again all!

 

 p.

 [quote][b]

yourtcfg(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 9:11 am Post subject: TCFG FLY-IN

Hi Peter, 

 

 Thank you for posting your pictures for everyone to enjoy.  It was a pleasure meeting you and your enthusiasm for Commanders is infectious.  Here's the answers to your questions.  

 

 -  The Chief Engineer that came with Bill McGinnis was Ken Hale.  His signature is on almost all of the Service Letters from the factory.  He was at the factory from serial number 1 to the last one.  WOW!!!  

 

 - Amis' grandson's name is Dave Amis.  The lady with him was a girlfriend and I'm sorry that I don't recall her name either.  

 

 - I'll send you Danny's contact info in a private email.  

 

 Some other corrections on the captions are that Stan's last name is Perkins (not Perk) and Bob Murduck's wife's name is Sonnie.  

 

 Good job with the pictures!!!

 

 We plan to include some of the handouts with the next newsletter for all members to enjoy.  

 

 Thanks Again,

 Jim & Sue

   

 

 

 --

Peter Bichier

Joined: 25 Aug 2008
Posts: 103
Location: Toledo, Ohio

Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 7:56 pm Post subject: TCFG FLY-IN

Hi Jim & Sue, & the gang



I have completed and corrected the captions, hopefully this will help recreate or remind people or what we did during those great 4 days!Â 

I'm amazed that in spite of the years you're all in contact, some of you have never seen each other in person! (more reasons to share)



you are all welcome to pass along the album link with Ron Smith, Bill McGinnis, Ken Hale, Dave Amis and whoever is not on the list that could be interested.Â 



http://picasaweb.google.com/YVABE560/TCFG?pli=1&gsessionid=v_1_HAHeT-EOO0uVDMwU2g#[/quote] 



You will all notice, by the way, that you practically NEVER see Sue on ANY of these photos... and believe me, she wasn't in the ladies fixing up her touches: this woman never stopped! -actually you sort of see her , and she is working is organizing folders before the auction (#291) in the back.



Sue, as Jim said: this event could not have been possible without your great people skills, organizing, page making, accounting, and all you do behind the scene.



I don't think I saw you relaxing ONCE: even in the Auction you were taking up the tally!



THANK YOU VERY MUCH! (you were, as you know, the 1st person I met -and you can tell you're on top of things, you immediately knew who I was!Â 



The round of applause and standing ovation was VERY WELL DESERVE!



Hope you're at home now, sipping some Martinis while the boys are cooking the burgers!



have a well deserved rest you two,



hasta la vista,



p.

[quote="yourtcfg(at)aol.com"]Hi Peter, 

 

 Thank you for posting your pictures for everyone to enjoy.  It was a pleasure meeting you and your enthusiasm for Commanders is infectious.  Here's the answers to your questions.  

 

 -  The Chief Engineer that came with Bill McGinnis was Ken Hale.  His signature is on almost all of the Service Letters from the factory.  He was at the factory from serial number 1 to the last one.  WOW!!!  

 

 - Amis' grandson's name is Dave Amis.  The lady with him was a girlfriend and I'm sorry that I don't recall her name either.  

 

 - I'll send you Danny's contact info in a private email.  

 

 Some other corrections on the captions are that Stan's last name is Perkins (not Perk) and Bob Murduck's wife's name is Sonnie.  

 

 Good job with the pictures!!!

 

 We plan to include some of the handouts with the next newsletter for all members to enjoy.  

 

 Thanks Again,

 Jim & Sue

_________________
560 Dreamer

rlegg(at)austarnet.com.au
Guest

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 4:02 am Post subject: TCFG FLY-IN

G'day Folks,



Finally back to remote Oz after another great Flyin.



Well done to Peter & Jim for posting their pics of the event!



I want to add my compliments and thanks to Jim & Sue for a truly remarkable

event. 

What a surreal feeling to find myself waist deep in all those 'impossible to

find' Commander parts.



All we have to do is talk to each other and more spares will continue to

find there way to us. The TCFG has emerged as an extremely powerful network

of knowledge.



Three cheers for Jim & Sue!!



 	  Quote: 	
		  From remote Oz... 


	


Russell

cschuerm(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 4:27 am Post subject: TCFG FLY-IN

Russell Legg wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   All we have to do is talk to each other and more spares will continue to

 find there way to us. 


	


Hi Russell.  Sorry I didn't make it to the fly-in to visit.  We had 

flown out to Az to visit some family that weekend.



Speaking of parts, is there anyone on the list with a 520?  I have some 

parts including a very hard to find air filter.



Chris

yourtcfg(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 9:57 am Post subject: TCFG FLY-IN

Russell, 

 

 Thank you for being such a loyal supporter of TCFG that you make such a great effort to come flying half way round the world.  That's a true believer!!!!

 

 ~jb

 

 

 --

Peter Bichier

Joined: 25 Aug 2008
Posts: 103
Location: Toledo, Ohio

Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 11:42 am Post subject: TCFG FLY-IN with pictures!

Don't know why but Picasa keeps on changing the link... hopefully one LAST time!



http://picasaweb.google.com/YVABE560/TwinCommanderFlightGroupFlyIn#

_________________
560 Dreamer

barry.collman(at)air-brit
Guest

Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 5:58 am Post subject: TCFG FLY-IN

Hi Peter,

  

 One other minor correction is that "Murduck"  should read "Murdock".

  

 Best Regards,

 Barry

 [quote]   ---

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