|
LETTERS
* * *
Sonny J. Lovewell wrote:
1) I recently acquired copies of the 1939, 1942 and 1943 Aerosphere Books.........Do you know if they have any Value, and if so, how I might be able to find someone interested in them......I thought about EBAY, but not sure if that would be a good idea or not.........I did notice that a Letter dated July 9th 2005 on your Site, had someone from Germany asking about the 1939 Book.........Any help would be greatly appreciated........Sonny J. Lovewell, Cambridge, Kansas.
2) I think I neglected to thank you for your courteous response........I wanted to update you on the Aerosphere Books I acquired.......I found I also have the 1941 Edition, meaning, I believe, I have all of the Hardbound Books........The other thing I noticed upon looking at them was that they are all Signed by the Editor Glenn D. Angle......They were all inscribed to a "Cora Grantham"........In fact, in one Inscription, he calls her "Mother Grantham".......He must have known her very well I would say.........Do you know who this Woman may have been?........Do the inscriptions add any potential Value to the Books do you think?.......Anyway, I'll let you know when I list them on EBAY........Thanks again.......Have a Good Holiday.........Sonny.
3) Well I listed (1) One of the Aerosphere Books I have on EBAY.........It was the 1939 Edition........I will be listing the 1941, 1942 and 1943 Editions later........The Item # for the Listing is: 230003672442 in case some of your Readers might be interested in the Book.........Thanks again for all your assistance, and I will advise you when I list the other Books...........Sonny.
Sonny J. Lovewell, Cambridge, Kansas
Any interest in these great collector’s items? These are great historical books; I used to own a copy and our company adopted its name from the series. Check it out on Ebay.--Editor
* * *
Bob Kellner writes:
Do you have a fiberglass fuselage for a 900 Sagitta ?
Thanks Bob K
Anyone out there who can help Bob? If so, write us; we’ll hook you up with Bob--Editor.
* * *
Our very own “El Primo” Cartoonist, Darrin Silver writes:
Silver Parachute Sales (my dad’s business) got a pretty high-profile save...we packed Sean Tucker’s parachute. This was his third bailout so I guess that means two more and he’s an ace!
Darrin Silver
* * *
Rick Lloyd writes:
In your article on the Internet called "Quest for the Cup" there is reference to the video by Duane Cole called "Flight Around the Axes". I have looked all over the internet for this video, and am unable to find it. I understand it is out of print now. Do you folks have any idea where I could find and purchase a copy?
Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Rick Lloyd
Huntington Beach, CA
Anyone out there know where to acquire Duane Cole books and videos?--Editor
* * *
Reader Creighton Edington writes:
Hi, I have a document that has Mac Brazel’s signature (autograph ) on it. Mac discovered the 1947 UFO crash near Roswell, NM.
I will be listing the item on eBay on September 17, 2005 under the User ID jaspers_corner . Please click on the following link for information on the item ME.
I can send you emails with photos of both sides of the document, showing all of the signatures on it, if you send me an email through eBay requesting it.
Thank you for your interest.
Creighton Edington
* * *
Reader F. Fueller writes:
Dear Madam, Dear Sir,
When searching in the internet for barrel aircraft engines, i run into the folllowing:
Aerosphere 1939, Aircraft Engines, Glenn D. Angle Hall, Barrel Engine Mechanisms, more power from less engine J. C. Lanahan, Barrel Aircraft Engines- Historical Anomaly or Stymiad Innovation
I would appreciate very much if i could get more info about these books, magazines or papers.
Thank you and best regards
F. Fueller
Grundstr. 9
D64289 Darmstadt
(Germany)
Dear F. Fueller:
Thanks for writing Aerosphere.
The original Aerosphere publication, which our magazine pays tribute to, was a hardbound book of all things aeronautical for the period. I don't know how long the publications were in print. I used to own a copy of Aerosphere 1943 until I made the mistake of lending it to my brother-in-law, who conveniently forgot where he got it and never returned it. These books are fantastic chroniclers of the state-of-the-art for airframes and engines of that time. It was interesting in my volume to note that for some aircraft, especially the P-51 Mustang, as I recall, the specifications, particularly with regard to top speed, were "classified." Seems almost quaint today, but there you go.
I'm sure if you want one badly enough, you can find a copy of one or more years at rare military bookselllers, though off hand I can't tell you where you might get one.
Best regards,
Carl Austin
Editor & Publisher
* * *
Reader Brian Dunbar writes:
Good Day, I would like to find out the value of the following manual: NASA Final Apollo 11 Flight Plan AS-506 / CSM-107 / LM-5 JULY 1, 1069.
Prepared by: Flight Planning Branch Flight Crew Support Division Manned Spacecraft Center Houston, Texas Thank you for your time,
Brian Dunbar
Dear Brian:
Thanks for writing to Aerosphere.
You've asked a great question. Here's my answer. If you own a copy that was actually used by one or more of the Apollo 11 astronauts AND you can document this, then I think you have a potentially valuable collectible. I would think your copy would have to have hand-written notes in the margins, e.g., or have been signed as to the ownership of the copy. If this is the case and you want to dispose of it, I'd recommend contacting either Christie's or Southeby's auction house.
If, on the other hand, you have an otherwise undistinguihed copy of the actual text, then I'm afraid it's not worth very much, except as a token memento of this great human event. You see, being a work paid for by the U.S. government--you and I in fact--, the work is not copyrightable. Which is to say the copyright is in the public domain.
Hope this has helped you.
Best wishes and thanks again for visiting and writing Aerosphere.
Carl Austin
Editor & Publisher
* * *
Reader John Fredriksen writes:
“Hi,
Be advised that "The Hunters" (1958) is now available on DVD in wide screen fomat.
Cool flick. KEWL F-86s!
JCF”
Thanks John! This is great news. See our movie review.--Ed.
* * *
Reader Steve Donacik writes:
“Howdy,
Saw your trivia quiz and although I'm sure you may have already received similar emails, I nonetheless felt compelled to pass on a few corrections...
Question 7:
There were three USAF aces in the Vietnam Conflict
1) Charles DeBellevue (WSO, not a pilot - leading ace with 6 victories)
2) Richard S. Ritchie ('Steve' was his nickname, not his given name, 5 victories)
3) Jeffery S. Feinstein (WSO, not a pilot - 5 victories)
Questions 8 & 9:
Richard Bong was the leading ace from the USA with 40 victories, not 38. However, as the question reads "Who was the highest-scoring ace of World War Two", it seems to imply that the pilots of all nations would be considered, and if that's the case then Bong would be an incorrect answer. The leading ace of the war, from all nations, was Erich Hartmann of Germany, with 352 victories.
Nice site and thanks for all the effort!
Steve-O
Fade to Black... ”
Thanks, Steve-O. We’ve made the corrections.--Editor
* * *
Reader Doug (no last name given) writes:
“Hi,
I rented and watched THE HUNTERS last night on DVD which was presented in both Widescreen and Full Screen formats. I was surfing trying to find more information on the movie and hit upon your site which was quite a coincidence!
Regards,
Doug,
Ottawa Canada”
* * *
Reader Larry Volz writes:
“I think I have the answer to the December trivia quiz for #7
7) How many Allied planes did Adolf Gallant, head of fighter forces and the youngest general in HitlerÕs Luftwaffe, shoot down during WWII? How many were P-51 Mustangs?
He had 104 aerial victories, none of which were P-51's (0 - P-51's)
Larry Volz”
Dear Larry Volz:
Thanks for writing. Well, you've got part of it right. He did have a total of 104 victories, but there were some (?) Mustangs among them. This may be too difficult a question, actually. I know the answer because I asked Herr Gallant in person.
I'm fortunate to know Virginia Bader, the well-known aviation art dealer on the West Coast. She started in Alexandria, Va., where I met her, and she introduced me to Gallant at the 1987 Oshkosh airshow. There, I bought a Robert Taylor print entitled "Fourth Fighter Patrol," which Gallant then signed for me, including an answer to the questions I'd asked him: How many total aerial victories? How many Mustangs?
You're welcome to try again; the Rockwell is still up for grabs. In any event, thank you for visiting AEROSPHERE.COM. We hope you'll come by often.
Regards,
Carl Austin
* * *
Reader Melisa Hottin writes:
“Hi,
I am from Turkey.
I read some articles about UFOs in your website. Quite interesting.
I just want to tell what we have experienced here in Antalya about this subject.
Well I am an airline pilot. I have 7500 flight hours.
Last year in one of my very early flight (about 4.30 am) just after take off, one of my pilot friend which he took off 5 minutes before me, reported a UFO. He even took its picture. Very clearly. The picture was taken very close because they even had to make a maneuver to avoid it. Five minutes after him, I was in the same point that he saw that thing. It was just hanging there with very little others.
The captain that has the picture was questioned later. Now he doesn't say anything about it. He was on the news, which [turned out to be] not so good for him.
What I saw was something that people can not forget that easy. They were many. When I say many, I mean it. But I am a pilot, so I always believe mathematical certainties. I always think there must be an explanation.
Well....it is more easy to say I don't believe it [happened] than to admit it.
We have the pictures. Still looking at them and thinking, What was in them?
Thanks.
Melisa Hottin”
* * *
Reader Patrick Doyle writes:
I was reading your memorial article to GORDO Cooper! FYI - He rode a Mercury Atlas, not a Redstone into orbit in FAITH 7!
Sincerely,
Patrick Doyle , CDR USNR
Dear Patrick:
I can't tell you how much I appreciate it when someone writes to point out an error, as you did with the "Gordo" appreciation; I really do try to get things right.
I've already made the correction, which will be published with the new edition around the first of next month and will include an acknowledgement for your contribution.
What's really embarrassing for me is that I'm old enough to remember the launch, though obviously only vaguely. And now that I really think back, I can "see" that ATLAS rocket lumber into the air, orbit bound. --CWA
* * *
Reader Kevin Ryan writes:
Hi Guys,
Your page currently states that there are only 2 known F2G’s in the world. This is incorrect as Bob Odegaard (owner of Cook Cleland’s #57) is currently restoring a third to flying status. Just thought you’d like to know.
Sincerely,
Kevin Ryan
Kevin, thanks for the heads-up on the Super Corsair. Our description under the Corsair painting should have said only two flying examples are known to exist. It’s great news that a third is in the offing.--Ed.
* * *
Reader Christopher Dean writes:
Hello, my name is Chris and I am a commercial pilot. I was on your website and found it very interesting so I would like to subscribe to your free newsletter. Thank you.
Sorry, Chris. Our subscription software was down for a good part of the month. It’s fixed now. And while we don’t now publish a newsletter, we will in the future. Stay tuned.
* * *
Reader Jim Massada writes:
Your “tail game” is messed up. You give the answers with the link. Where’s the main game page?
Yes, it’s messed up. We’re working on it--and we’re sorry for the goof. We hope other readers will continue to point out mistakes and needed improvements.--Ed.
* * *
Contest winner Kimberly Hickey writes:
Dear Mr. Austin,
I wanted to let you know that we received the Man on the Moon print yesterday. The print is amazing! I am taking it to be framed immediately so we can hang it up as soon as possible. Thank you again!
Sincerely,
Kimberly Hickey
* * *
Reader James Williams III writes:
Do original Apollo 11 moon landing prints have any value?
I presume you are referring to Aerosphere’s Man’s First Step on the Moon fine art prints. Currently, the prints are worth $95. In the past many have sold for the original offering price of $300, many more for a discounted price of $195. As I’m sure you realize, any material thing—or any human service, for that matter—is worth exactly what someone in the free marketplace is willing to pay for it on a given day. Moreover, what someone is willing to pay is a function, primarily, of supply and demand.
While there are many cheesy reproductions of this image floating around, pages torn out of books, magazines and the like can be found on eBay, my contract with the Norman Rockwell Estate Licensing Company (NRELC) stipulates that I, and my company, have the “…exclusive right to use the illustrations by Norman Rockwell, entitled Man on the Moon…in connection with the manufacture, promotion and sale of one thousand (1,000) limited edition prints.…” We chose to rename—with NRELC’s permission—the image Man’s First Step on the Moon. As a condition of our contract, the NRELC received sample prints for quality approval/control, copies of the Certificate of Authenticity, and copies of all advertising and promotional materials, all of which they approved.
Now if you—or anyone else reading this—are aware of any party producing and offering for sale similar prints, please let us know, for this would make a wonderful lawsuit, one which would probably net more than the entire edition of prints ever will.
But even if someone other than Aerosphere were to sell unlimited copies of the image, Aerosphere’s limited edition of 1000 would remain unique—and valuable. Each print carries our own © mark, in addition to NRELC’s, as well as a unique serial number and print number. In other words, our particular production of this image has its own unique provenance, as it were, which makes it every bit as valuable as any Norman Rockwell print of similar size and quality produced after his death, none of which, I might add, including our version, is signed with the artist’s dead hand.
If you shop for limited edition prints of similar quality, perhaps from Greenwich Workshops or other fine-art publishers, you will find that at $95, Aerosphere’s production of Man’s First Step on the Moon represents an amazing value, as most such prints sell for about twice our current price.
I hope this answers fully your query. If not, please feel free to send us any follow-up questions you may have.
Thank you for visiting Aerosphere Air & Space Magazine; please come again. And thanks for writing.
Carlton W. Austin
Editor & Publisher
Send letters to editor@aerosphere.com.
|
