Great Website!

Hi Bob,
Just wanted to make contact and compliment you on your terrific website!  Your enthusiasm fairly bubbles off the page - I get the distinct impression you're enjoying what you're doing.
 
I don't expect you to remember me, Dick D., but my colleagues and I did a lot of work for you and your group - we were the 707/727/737 Payloads "LOPA" group and we churned out hundreds and hundreds of interior deck plans for Sales Support and Marketing Management.  You were the Manager for that bunch for a time, weren't you?  I just can't remember the exact time frame.  And there were several managers who cycled through that job during the years that I was involved.  Lotsa "Bobs", too - Hestilow, Omori, Tillman...... 
 
Anyway, like you, I'm retired from the B also, in May 2001.  My wife and I moved from our home of 26 years in Renton, to North Muskegon, Michigan this last July, 2010.  I'm a Seattle native but I have no family left there now and Cheryl has lots of family here, so this is our new retirement home.  Lots cheaper to live here, too.
 
But back to your website, you've done great job commemorating some wonderful Boeing history.  And I see you also have an interest in Railroads - now, that's my addiction.  I'm addicted to nearly anything that runs on two rails.  Prototype, historical, European, American, model trains.  I had a large garden railroad in Renton - it was featured in Garden Railways magazine in the June 2002 issue.  It's history now, but I plan to start building a new garden layout here in Michigan in our back yard this spring and summer.
 
So, keep up the good work.  Write back if you're so inclined.
 
All the best,
Dick D

Your amazing web site...

Hi Bob, 

Just wanted to tell you something you already know -- what an amazing web site you have created.  I am a 25 year veteran of Boeing, retired in 95, now 75 years old.  I too love many of the things you do, and have spent many enjoyable hours perusing your site.
 
My wife and I spend our winters in the Southwest in our 40 foot diesel pusher motorhome, trying to keep some sunshine in our winter lives.  (We're currently in Tucson, AZ.)  However, summers in the Seattle area are unequaled anywhere else, and we spend our summers at home.  I love visiting the museum and some of your treasures.
 
Keep up the good work.  I check your site often for anything new.  I especially enjoyed the sections on the Clipper, the Super Connie, and Kelly Johnson.
 
Rod A

 

Mr. Bogash;

I just wanted to drop you a quick note to tell you what a wonderful job you've done on CF-TGE.  I am Canadian, and lived just north of Toronto until 2 years ago, when I moved to Abbotsford, BC.  When I lived near Toronto, I'd seen the Super Connie many times at YYZ.  Although it was always a treat to see her, it was also a shame to see her deteriorating condition.  My Wife and I actually visited the Museum of Flight last September, and we could see her close to the museum.  I thought it was great to see a Super Connie in TCA colours, not knowing at that time that it was in fact the Connie from YYZ.  I was thrilled when I found out later that it was!

  I was reading through your website, and I find it quite sad the resistance and lack of co-operation that you have received from some of my fellow Canadians.  I for one find it fantastic that you have restored the old girl to her present condition, and the fact that it is still in TCA colours is an added bonus.  Thank you for that.


Interesting side note, just down the road from where CF-TGE was at YYZ was the old buildings that belonged to Avro Canada, where many Lancasters and Hurricanes were built, but also the legendary CF-105 Avro Arrow. The story of the Avro Arrow in itself is a travesty, but a number of years ago they demolished all those historic Avro buildings.  Another example of how Canada often treats our aviation heritage.


Anyway, I hope to visit the Museum again this year, and look forward to touring the Connie!  Thank you again for all your efforts. I, as well as many other Canadians I'm sure, really appreciate what you all have done.

Sincerely,

Greg W

 

Hi bob,

My name is Jeff Van Sant.. I am with Channel Q13.  I was looking through your pictures of Plant 2 during its more glorious years… I was wondering if you know someone who worked in the plant during the second world war?  I would love to speak with some who were there during that time.  I am trying to do a piece of the history of plant 2 and its importance to the history of the area and its importance in the war effort.

Thanks so much!

Jeff V

Dear Bob,
I have a certificate made out to J Clark that says"on this date made a flight in the world's first corporate jet transport,the Lockheed Jetstar and thus becomes fully qualified to describe the complete safety..the luxurious comfort and the amazing performance capabilities of this extraordinary aircraft." It is dated Sept.5,1958.


It is signed by the pilot Vern F. Peterson. Taped to the back of the frame is a colour drawing of the a/c with two engines and no slipper tanks.


I was a ramp rat at YYZ in 1981 and was given this framed cert. as my employer Innotech Aviation was moving to a new building at YYZ. Do you have any info on this document.
Regards,  Ian S

Hi Bob,

We do a newsletter called the Saipan Superfort, for the 73rd Bomb Wing Association and Ray Clanton sent the link to your web site. Walt Sherrell is also a member you may know as he loves all things to do with your musueum. I would very much like to include excerpts from your article with your permission. I will of course, give you full credit and direct readers to your website. Basicly our newsletter just goes to members of the 73rd BW Association which includes veterans and their families. We send out about 525. I will be happy to put you on the mailing list and I think I could even email you one for your site when the publisher finishes.

Sincerely,

Cathy D.

Editor and Administrative Assistant to the 73rd BW

Hello Bob,
I've posted a piece on my site:
www.lost-toronto.blogspot.com
about Malton Airport and have included a link
to your site. I've also used one of your images.
Let me know if this this ok.
Great site on the Constellation
Thanks
Greg Chown

Bob,

I am the Program Director for the Sun City Roseville (California) Veterans Club.  My primary duty is to seek out interesting speakers for our club.

We are a low-budget club of primarily WW II veterans - many of whom flew Boeing planes.  Obviously we have no budget for travel/lodging, but thought I'd ask anyway -- "Is there anyone in the Sacramento area familiar with the history of Boeing who might be available to give a presentation to our club?"

Thank you.

Mel N

Dear Bob,
 
Wonderful piece about the closing of Boeing Plant 2.  So many great memories.
 
And now Boeing is headquartered in Chicago, and Boeing wings are made in China. 
All so very sad.
 
Alan I.            Lexington, Ky.    

Dear Mr. Bogash:

 A colleague of mine sent me an en e mail recently, detailing the story of the razing of the Boeing hangar that housed a B-17, Constellation and a B-29.  I enjoyed it very much.  I’ve been to the museum a few times and even had an opportunity to fly aboard Liberty Bell, a restored B-17, that was operating out of the field for the day I visited.

 I’d love to see these three historic aircraft, where are they now stored (I understood the Connie will go to the airpark next to the museum) and are they accessible to the public?

 Thank you.

 Sincerely,

 Steve D.

Wake, Virginia 

Hi Bob,
A friend sent me a link to your Boeing Hanger II demise and it was great looking at all of the historic aircraft pics. You probably have the same feelings about the closing as I did when the Bell System came to an end in 1983. I started with Pacific Telephone 31 Mar 1970 after I got back from a stint in 'Nam with the Army Sig Corps. I retired 1/11/08 after 38 yrs with PT&T, PacBell, SBC and finally, AT&T.


I am perusing your site now and you did a great job on layout. Great looking at all the pics of the aviation pioneers like Kelly Johnson. Keep up the great work!

73, de k6tpk

-tim

Bob-

I just found your excellent site and read the story of the attempts to find and recover a Boeing 314. A noble goal! I've long been enamored of the great flying boat airliners and the 'Golden Age' of flying, so your pages strike a chord.

There's a book you should know about; I found a copy a few years back on abebooks.com, sadly it's out of print;

"Flying The Oceans" by Horace Brock. 

Brock was a Pan Am pilot from 1935-1955 and flew all the Clippers, as well as many other Pan Am aircraft. It's a firsthand account by someone who could write as well as fly;

I paid $40 for a signed copy but it's well worth it.

Keep up the good work,

 

Mark S