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Author
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Topic: Ideas for Chuck Yeager Signing
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capoetc
Member Posts: 2169
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 09-25-2005 08:57 PM
   
I am going to attend Chuck Yeager's upcoming talk (4 Oct 05) at the NASM, and I assume that he will sign autographs after the event.Anyone have a good idea on what to have him sign? I already have a photo and a cover signed by him, and I bought an X-1 model from his web site that is signed by him. Maybe I should just get a picture with him ... The last time I heard him speak was when I was in pilot training at Williams AFB AZ back in 1988 -- he was traveling on a speaking tour with Viktor Belenko, the guy who flew his MiG-25 to Japan back in the '70's. Thanks. ------------------
John Capobianco
Camden DE |
albatron@aol.com
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posted 09-25-2005 09:26 PM
Unless the NASM has made arrangments or advertises he'll be signing I woudn't count on him doing so. His agent/wife has made it very plain to the Gathering of Eagles folks if ANYONE approaches him for an autograph at this event in Lancaster, CA, he will immediately LEAVE! And this is an EXTREMELY autograph friendly event. Doesn't hurt to try, just don't get your hopes up. Al |
MarylandSpace
Member Posts: 1336
From:
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 09-25-2005 11:29 PM
A copy of his biography, Yeager, works fairly well for an item to be autographed. I've been able to find the book at used book stores at a reasonable price. Me and a group of my Washington area air and space friends have been listening to his stories for 10 years or more. Always good stories, always good friends. In the past after his lecture, General Yeager has signed one item per person. |
Wehaveliftoff
Member Posts: 2343
From:
Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 09-26-2005 12:04 PM
Though I didn't see him with his wife, he had no problem signing TWO of his books for me. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 09-26-2005 03:58 PM
Here's an idea, albeit an expensive one. Assuming you can confirm Yeager is signing, the Air and Space Museum has in its gift shop a wall hanging/replica of the left forward fuselage panel of Yeager's Bell X-1 complete with its "nose art". Its labeled as a limited edition and lists at $200. In my opinion - should you be able to justify the cost - it would make for an amazing display signed by the pilot himself. |
micropooz
Member Posts: 1512
From: Washington, DC, USA
Registered: Apr 2003
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posted 09-26-2005 04:22 PM
In previous years at NASM he has always signed one item per person. They have him sit at a table in the MOF gallery and the line of people goes almost all the way down to the end of the museum. Hopefully that will continue this year. |
capoetc
Member Posts: 2169
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 09-26-2005 08:09 PM
Thanks for the ideas, guys. I'm glad I ordered my tickets when I did ... I just checked, and they are now only offering tickets in the "overflow" section where you will watch the presentation on a screen.On the subject of the X-1 panel ... do you recall how big it is? ------------------
John Capobianco
Camden DE |
xdef66
Member Posts: 43
From: Detroit MI. USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 10-01-2005 05:20 AM
http://www.fightingcolors.com/post_page.htm Yeager christened the first X-1 "Glamorous Glennis" after his wife, as was his P-51's in WWII. There was an earlier version of the art work. This panel represents the one he flew on the historic flight.
14"x30" $180.00 Dean |
1202 Alarm
Member Posts: 436
From: Switzerland & France
Registered: Nov 2003
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posted 10-01-2005 06:36 AM
In Summer 2003, I spent an entire afternoon with Chuck & Victoria Yeager during an Airshow in Switzerland. We did photos, DV films, talked a lot. During the afternoon he never refused to sign to anyone who asked 8without a fee) and the day after he added his sign to all the photos I took the previous day with him as well. Victoria was very nice as well, a great surprise, having read all the comments and stories about Yeager's family etc.It was a marvellous day, though don't mention your admiration to the NASA astronauts. The only time I did this, he went mad for a minute or so. Sadly, my poor English didn't grab all his words. Stunning that he still has this attitude over their achievments.. but a wonderful souvenir for me. [This message has been edited by 1202 Alarm (edited October 01, 2005).] |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 10-01-2005 10:05 AM
If you go to Yeager's website, he has an interview there where he talks a little bit about NASA...and specifically, about Neil Armstrong. He tells a story to point out his opinion that Neil wasn't the greatest of pilots.The full interview is here: http://www.chuckyeager.com/questionandanswer.htm |
albatron@aol.com
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posted 10-01-2005 01:47 PM
Yeager is well known for his disdain of other than military pilots, although he forgets people like Goodlin, Armstrong, Crossfield and the rest were all military pilots before becoming test pilots. It is summed up nicely in his book when he laments how when a NACA pilot crashed and burned - he was more concerned over the loss of the airplane than the pilot.Kind of says it all. I've spoken to others about the episode (who were there also)Armstrong was involved in and read in the upcoming Armstrong biography about that episode and others as well. I think perspective is in order when dealing with these events. Armstrong was an excellent pilot - and one of the premier test pilots of his day. Consider the source. AL |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 10-01-2005 07:58 PM
quote:
Originally posted by albatron@aol.com:
Consider the source.
Oh yeah, definitely...I just posted the interview link so people could see Yeager's somewhat colorful opinion of NASA and the astronauts. I can't say I agree with him, but he's entitled to his opinion. |
thump
Member Posts: 575
From: washington dc usa
Registered: May 2004
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posted 10-03-2005 10:35 AM
quote:
Originally posted by albatron@aol.com:
Unless the NASM has made arrangments or advertises he'll be signing I woudn't count on him doing so. His agent/wife has made it very plain to the Gathering of Eagles folks if ANYONE approaches him for an autograph at this event in Lancaster, CA, he will immediately LEAVE! And this is an EXTREMELY autograph friendly event. Doesn't hurt to try, just don't get your hopes up. Al
It has been announced that he will be signing after the event, but be prepared, his line is usually quite long... |
thump
Member Posts: 575
From: washington dc usa
Registered: May 2004
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posted 10-04-2005 12:58 PM
It has now just been announced that due to "scheduling changes", Gen Yeager will NOT be signing autographs afterward, but that a limited # of his books presigned will be available. |
albatron@aol.com
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posted 10-04-2005 04:56 PM
quote:
Originally posted by thump:
It has now just been announced that due to "scheduling changes", Gen Yeager will NOT be signing autographs afterward, but that a limited # of his books presigned will be available.
Gee. I'm shocked. "Scheduling changes" - uh huh.  Al |
capoetc
Member Posts: 2169
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 10-05-2005 08:54 AM
I was at the Chuck Yeager event at NASM last night. He was introduced by Don Lopez (P-40 pilot with the 23rd Fighter Group in China, shot down 5 airplanes).They showed a 26 minute video, Chuck spoke for around 40 minutes, and then there was a q & a period. Chuck had a 0600 flight to catch (so 0400-0430 show time at the airport), and that was why he did not stay to sign. With all the people in attendance (the IMAX theater was full, plus a buch more in the overflow area watching on cc tv) I imagine it would have taken him 2-3 hours to sign for everyone. IMO, the funniest quote of the night was in response to a question, "What do you conside to be your biggest accomplishment?" Chuck responded, "Staying alive." ------------------
John Capobianco
Camden DE |
thump
Member Posts: 575
From: washington dc usa
Registered: May 2004
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posted 10-05-2005 09:48 AM
In addition to other VIP's, Joe Engle and Transportation Secretary Mineta were in attendance at the lecture. |
Glint
Member Posts: 1040
From: New Windsor, Maryland USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 10-05-2005 11:22 AM
quote:
Originally posted by capoetc:
IMO, the funniest quote of the night was in response to a question, "What do you conside to be your biggest accomplishment?" Chuck responded, "Staying alive."
That was one of my favorites as well. My favorite Yeager remark of the night was his response when someone asked whether he ever had a desire to fly in space. His response, to the best of my recollection, was "Not really. I didn't want to have to scrape the monkey crap off the seat first." He was sure a hoot. Whatever they did to loosten up his tongue worked. He had a lot of zany one liners at the expense of everyone from NASA management (whom he was highly critical of), to NASCAR drivers (metal benders without too much between the ears) to Transportation Secretary Norm Minenta. quote:
Originally posted by thump:
In addition to other VIP's, Joe Engle and Transportation Secretary Mineta were in attendance at the lecture.
Oh, I guess that explains it! Maybe there was a NASCAR driver or two as well in attendance?  [This message has been edited by Glint (edited October 05, 2005).] |
MarylandSpace
Member Posts: 1336
From:
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 10-05-2005 11:40 AM
Another good lecture. I have attended 10 of the 25 years Chuck Yeager has presented.It was awesome, very awesome too, to see the Wright Flyer up close--you get to within six feet of it. Run, don't walk, to see this exhibit before it closes on October 17. Had a great chat with my space friends, Bob Link, Pete Sarmiento, Wayne from Frederick. Saw DJ in the theater but he did not see me. Many were disappointed that Chuck had a very early flight and could not sign but it is great to hear history from the source. So it was just a minor disappointment. No one really whined. I got a chance to see the IMAX 3D, Magnificent Desolation. I enjoyed it and the 3D effects. My favorite IMAX of all time is The Dream is Alive especially the scene with Walter Cronkite describing the scene coming over the Alps into the Po Valley, Venice, Christopher Columbus. Not only that but I took the afternoon off work to drive to the NASM . . . doesn't get much better. . . Garry |
bikeric
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posted 11-12-2005 04:24 AM
I talked to Mr. Yeager outside the venue where he spoke. On Veteran's Day, no less, he told me, a Veteran, that "If I sign for you, I'll be signing all night."
Thanks so much. My Idol just dropped about three floors in my personal opinion. He is still Chuck Yeager, but nobody should enjoy being snubbed by their idol.
The 20 minute video during his "speech" was enjoyable, but stole time from his speeking. |
capoetc
Member Posts: 2169
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 11-12-2005 08:16 AM
Well, FWIW, I have to agree with Gen Yeager here.It might have been nice if he had some cards to hand out that would allow for a free signature if you mail it to his address for those who attended, but if the man had somewhere to go then how can you blame him? If he doesn't sign for you, you think he's a jerk. If he DOES sign for you (and only you) then everyone ELSE thinks he's a jerk. If he signs for everyone, then he's there for 2 more hours. If he only signed for the Veterans in the crowd, then he'd be there for an extra 1 1/2 hours. How can the man win in this scenario?
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John Capobianco
Camden DE [This message has been edited by capoetc (edited November 12, 2005).] |
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