OK, OK...God bless FAI, too...

The remark "Tash FAI, etc" I posted on this forum was just one of those things you say when feeling free to due to the fact of being among friends.

I wrote that posting with the freedom I felt - to joke or make a exagerated statement - because the "audience" is what I consider my buddies.

Of course I was not to be taken so seriously!

Trash FAI? How can one possibly trash FAI?????

Wich one of us never said something similar, when slightly bugged with something? Like, for example, if you get a traffic ticket, and say "The heck with the NYPD!", or "I ain't gonna pay this stupid ticket!"?

Of course you ain't gonna "heck" the Police Department, and of course you are going to pay the ticket...

I ws surprised by the reaction I stirred!

As I said on that thread, what motivated my dumb wisecrack was a certain impatience after reading so many postings expressng concern about "FAI or AMA models". etc.

I thought it was weird that in the US folks had to worry about this.

The "Trash FAI - God bless America" remark was a mixture of "I don't think this is fair" with the inconsequent humor we all have when joking among friends.

I think we all took it too seriously.

Sorry if any non American guys felt insulted. It was not my intention to hurt anybody's feelings.

Sorry, Spurling, Dave Day...

I don't have to apologize to Igor, we are friends. Right, Igor?

Thank you , John Miller. I don't know if I'm all you said about me, but you certainy are...

Iskandar turned out to be a good researcher...

Peter Dean was, as he said, "vitriolic"... It's OK, Pete!

JAK showed dissatisfaction with the way the US government is conducting some things.

Some were worried about Big Brother.

godzilla has a lot of comon sense.

Leonard was smart enough to keep his nose clean.

Well, nobody got killed. That's for sure, even though there was in some replys some tints of "Bloody Murder"...

OK, let's not trash FAI! God bless FAI, too...

And all you guys too!

Ion, That was a very diplomatic post, your points and attitude are well taken and appreciated. I guess that I'm kinda responsible for your impatience, with my question about the percieved difference between models developed for FAI events and those developed for AMA events, despite the similarity of rules.

My motivation was/is: when someone of the stature of Brett suggests that there IS a difference, that opinion is valued and worthy of further exploration. Hence my enquiry. I do have a genuine intention of (if I'm invited) flying in a US nats. Some of my flying buddies have done so, and regaled me with the stories of the fun index. Also, what a great opportunity to perhaps learn from some of the worlds best flyers. I had the pleasure of meeting Ted Fancher at or field a while back, his descriptions have made attendance at a US nats a "must do" for me. But, I'll have to be a hellava lot better at flying in that company, lots of fuel needs to be burnt!

We all hoped that your post was more or less in jest, but you said you were serious so we took you at your word!

The US has the best track record in international CLPA of any country, that is recognised and admired by all, and is a reflection of the depth and breadth of stunt talent in the US. True, it is likely that the Advanced winner of the US nats would win open in my country - when he did, he would be roundly admired and applauded, bought much beer and pumped for information. Thats the way we work!

I would make the point that one of the reasons for the first responses from the other side of the planet is the time difference. We were reading the forum, when you guys were sleeping.

Like most "problems" this was essentially a communications issue, which is why it is wise not to trash personalities on this kind of forum, in jest or otherwise! I hereby
retract the thoughts (fortunately not expressed!) that I had developed during this thread!.

I thoroughly enjoyed the company of the Brazillian team at sebnitz, and sincerely hope that you and I have the opportunity over a a glass of wine to shoot the breeze about CLPA, no matter what variation! Muncie 2004?

Best wishes,
Dave

Dave, I don't know what country you are in, but if here in the USA you do not have to be "invited " to get to fly in the Nationals. I am not sure about modelers from outside the US. You do need to be a member of the AMA usually though. As for being "good enough", I have flown at MANY nationals and never have been and never will be "good enough". That is to be in the top ten or twenty. I am good enough (and so is EVERYONE) to have fun and enjoy the comradrie of the good and very good. To also, learn a lot by talking to them and just watching them in action.
Bigiron

>The remark "Tash FAI, etc"
> I posted on this
>forum was just one of
>those things you say
>when feeling free to due
>to the fact of being
>among friends.
>
>I wrote that posting with the
>freedom I felt - to
>joke or make a exagerated
>statement - because the "audience"
>is what I consider my
>buddies.
>
>Of course I was not to
>be taken so seriously!
>
>Trash FAI? How can one possibly
>trash FAI?????
>
>Wich one of us never said
>something similar, when slightly bugged
>with something? Like, for example,
>if you get a traffic
>ticket, and say "The heck
>with the NYPD!", or "I
>ain't gonna pay this stupid
>ticket!"?
>
>Of course you ain't gonna
>"heck" the Police Department, and
>of course you are going
>to pay the ticket...
>
>I ws surprised by the reaction
>I stirred!
>
>As I said on that thread,
>what motivated my dumb wisecrack
> was a certain impatience
>after reading so many postings
>expressng concern about "FAI or
>AMA models". etc.
>
>I thought it was weird that
>in the US folks had
>to worry about this.
>
>The "Trash FAI - God bless
>America" remark was a mixture
>of "I don't think
>this is fair" with the
>inconsequent humor we all have
>when joking among friends.
>
>I think we all took it
>too seriously.
>
>Sorry if any non American guys
>felt insulted. It was not
>my intention to hurt anybody's
>feelings.
>
>Sorry, Spurling, Dave Day...
>
>I don't have to apologize to
>Igor, we are friends. Right,
>Igor?
>
>Thank you , John Miller. I
>don't know if I'm all
>you said about me, but
>you certainy are...
>
>Iskandar turned out to be a
>good researcher...
>
>Peter Dean was, as he said,
>"vitriolic"... It's OK, Pete!
>
>
>JAK showed dissatisfaction with the way
>the US government is conducting
>some things.
>
>Some were worried about Big Brother.
>
>
>godzilla has a lot of comon
>sense.
>
>Leonard was smart enough to keep
>his nose clean.
>
>Well, nobody got killed. That's for
>sure, even though there was
>in some replys some tints
>of "Bloody Murder"...
>
>OK, let's not trash FAI! God
>bless FAI, too...
>
>And all you guys too!
>
>
>Ion

I completely understand what you are saying, and defend your right to say it. My beef is that on the 'net, sometimes one has to be extremely careful how one crafts a written piece. It is not the same thing as talking in person when you know the other guy and can see his (or her) expressions and hear the tone of voice.
This stuff goes out all over the globe, and no matter how minor it might seem, somewhere along the line someone somewhere will take offense to something that is posted, even in fun, and then that builds up and gets passed along and so it goes. Guess how I know this?
Peace and great happiness to you and yours. Good flying too!

I forgot earlier, but I just wanted to add as a historical note that Brazil and Mexico were the only two Latin American nations to declare war on the Axis powers in WW-II. Both as a result of U-Boat attacks on their shipping.
Both air arms were furnished with US built Republic P-47 Thunderbolts, and although they came late into the game both earned an honorable reputation in combat- Brazil in the fighting in Italy, and Mexico in the Far East. Always thought it would be neat to see a P-47 stunter in something other than US colours.

>I forgot earlier, but I just
>wanted to add as a
>historical note that Brazil and
>Mexico were the only two
>Latin American nations to declare
>war on the Axis powers
>in WW-II. Both as a
>result of U-Boat attacks on
>their shipping.
>Both air arms were furnished with
>US built Republic P-47 Thunderbolts,
>and although they came late
>into the game both earned
>an honorable reputation in combat-
>Brazil in the fighting in
>Italy, and Mexico in the
>Far East. Always thought it
>would be neat to see
>a P-47 stunter in something
>other than US colours.
>
>JAK

That's right, JAK!!

The Brazillian pilots used those Thunderbolts.

I can try to send you a picture of the "Senta a Pua" (untranslatable), the name of the Brazilian team.

They reportedly were good pilots.

The Brazilian soldiers arrived at Italy with the wrong clothes, not appropriate for the winter. The US forces provided all they needed, or else they would have frozen to death...

But they were brave. They had more guts than sense. Their big moment was when they took over "Monte Castelo." an axis stronghold that was armed to their teeth. Many died, but they took the place, facing strong machine gun fire.

I have a friend that is dying to get Billy's plans for the P 47 and use the "Senta Pua" paint scheme on it.

The field where I practice is 50 yards from a monument for the Brazilians that died in combat at WW II. Their remains are buried there. They were brought from Pistoia, Italy were they were buried, and now they rest near the field... I hope they like the noise of the engines...

German residents in Brazil were pretty badly treated. Something similar to the Japanese in the US.

An interesting note: After the war some of the pilots, out of a job, became mercenaries for Trujilo, dictator on Dominican Republic. They used Mustangs, with a brown color, with no insignias.

Dunno about P-47s in other markings, but a lot of South American air forces post-war used American surplus fighters (mostly P-51s, I think). Lots of possibilities!

Man, you had them in your sights and you blinked. You had it so dead solid perfect, it made my heart soar like a hawk. I've been saying the same things for years but never managed to get much response. And I was'nt kidding and I won't apologize for it to no one, no where, no time,no how.
Actually, it doesn't matter to me how they run things "over there". But then again, I don't mind skunks as long as they don't start stinking up my backyard.

God Bless the USA,
[email protected]

Ion;

Thanks for your post; I think I understand what your sentiment was now and I have nothing against being patriotic, in fact I regard myself as such. I do challenge the notion that it is unpatriotic to question the moral validity of actions or attitudes 'dressed up' as patriotism, (whether done so intentionally or not). This is healthy and if done rationally is not in the slightest bit unpatriotic.

Most of the dogmatic comments of this type are typically made by people who havent thought through the implications of what they are saying, and are driven almost purely by emotion. Patriotism is after all a very emotional subject. (See Mr Whizkers). Hope springs eternal that rational reflection will prevail.

Understanding the potential for damage was what I was illustrating. Especially important on the world stage, which thanks to the miracle of modern communications, everything has become these days.

On reflection, I think this thread served to strip any assumptions folks might have had that there is one 'party line' on FAI issues and how they impact the US event..

Sincerely

Peter

>The remark "Tash FAI, etc"
> I posted on this
>forum was just one of
>those things you say
>when feeling free to due
>to the fact of being
>among friends.
>
>I wrote that posting with the
>freedom I felt - to
>joke or make a exagerated
>statement - because the "audience"
>is what I consider my
>buddies.
>
>Of course I was not to
>be taken so seriously!
>
>Trash FAI? How can one possibly
>trash FAI?????
>
>Wich one of us never said
>something similar, when slightly bugged
>with something? Like, for example,
>if you get a traffic
>ticket, and say "The heck
>with the NYPD!", or "I
>ain't gonna pay this stupid
>ticket!"?
>
>Of course you ain't gonna
>"heck" the Police Department, and
>of course you are going
>to pay the ticket...
>
>I ws surprised by the reaction
>I stirred!
>
>As I said on that thread,
>what motivated my dumb wisecrack
> was a certain impatience
>after reading so many postings
>expressng concern about "FAI or
>AMA models". etc.
>
>I thought it was weird that
>in the US folks had
>to worry about this.
>
>The "Trash FAI - God bless
>America" remark was a mixture
>of "I don't think
>this is fair" with the
>inconsequent humor we all have
>when joking among friends.
>
>I think we all took it
>too seriously.
>
>Sorry if any non American guys
>felt insulted. It was not
>my intention to hurt anybody's
>feelings.
>
>Sorry, Spurling, Dave Day...
>
>I don't have to apologize to
>Igor, we are friends. Right,
>Igor?
>
>Thank you , John Miller. I
>don't know if I'm all
>you said about me, but
>you certainy are...
>
>Iskandar turned out to be a
>good researcher...
>
>Peter Dean was, as he said,
>"vitriolic"... It's OK, Pete!
>
>
>JAK showed dissatisfaction with the way
>the US government is conducting
>some things.
>
>Some were worried about Big Brother.
>
>
>godzilla has a lot of comon
>sense.
>
>Leonard was smart enough to keep
>his nose clean.
>
>Well, nobody got killed. That's for
>sure, even though there was
>in some replys some tints
>of "Bloody Murder"...
>
>OK, let's not trash FAI! God
>bless FAI, too...
>
>And all you guys too!
>
>
>Ion