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posted 09-02-2009 02:29 AM               

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I would say that apart from Stafford being at this one the line up is average considering all the others have been here many times before. Most of the serious collectors have gotten the other 3 a fair few times. It is however always nice to see them here in the UK.

I enjoyed it last year and it was nice to catch up with Helen Sharman again and great that Charlie made it too.

I enjoy it too when the Russians are in town, they are always great and it's a real privelidge to be in the componay of cosmonauts such as Leonov.

As David says, Autographica 10 was great, but that said, I guess your "first" Autographica is always special to you, I know mine was.

I am sure you will enjoy yourself. Fill your boots! take it all in because it's over all too soon.

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posted 09-02-2009 02:58 AM               

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A10 represents my biggest blunder. It was the first Autographica I had been to for a few years and was only really just getting interested in Space so decided to go for Buzz Aldrin only. I think about a week later I realised what a mistake I'd made in not getting all of them at that show!

Even a couple of years later whenever I see Al Bean or Gene Cernan interviewed or announced for another show I still kick myself!

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posted 09-05-2009 12:22 PM               

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Well it's less than a week to go.

If the weather remains coolish, I'll be attending wearing my HBO From Earth to the Moon satin jacket. We will not be having dinner, just attending the show. It will be nice to put a few more faces to the avatars. For me it will only be Tom Stafford and Ursula Andress signatures.

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posted 09-05-2009 05:18 PM               

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Don't think this has been posted yet, but Showmasters have just added this to their forum regarding Tom Neil, one of the Spitfire pilots they had already announced:

WING COMMANDER THOMAS FRANCIS NEIL

We have recently discovered that Autographica guest Wing Commander Tom Neil, as well as being a WWII pilot and with an incredible record, was also involved in the early stages of the American space programme.

In 1948 in went to Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio, to take part in the first high altitude pressure suit experiments, the pre-cursor to NASAs Mercury spacesuits.

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posted 09-08-2009 04:55 PM               

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Your right there Blackarrow, Al is a great guy, looking forward to meeting him again, and reuniting him with my Apollo 15 Flown Union Jack.

Also looking forward to the Saturday night dinner. Oh and Friday in the bar for 5.

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posted 09-09-2009 11:26 AM               

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I just noticed that on the Autographica website they now have Al Worden and Scott Carpenter down for photoshoots (both at £20.)

Dave has also posted this provisional Photoshoot time schedule on the Showmasters forum:

Saturday

11.20 Tom Stafford
11.45 Dave Scott
12.10 Scott Carpenter
12.35 Al Worden
1.00 Bond Girls
1.25 Edward Fox
1.50 Stirling Moss
2.30 Kenny Baker

Sunday

11.20 Tom Stafford
11.45 Scott Capenter
12.10 Al Worden
12.35 Love Joy Cast
1.15 Kenny Baker

Just one question - does this mean Worden and Carpenter will not pose for photos at their signing table or even if I bump into them in the hotel somewhere?

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posted 09-09-2009 05:17 PM               

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As David points out, you can never tell.

Sometimes it has been very difficult to get pictures at the tables, other times easy so see how things are on the day and how the tables are arranged...

As we have said, play it by ear and just go with the flow.

Many people attend the receptions on offer and dinner as they are great opportunities to meet and have pictures taken with the guests. It's always nice to have a chat if time allows too.

You can always pay and have your picture taken at the photo shoot, you have the timetable now. Just remember to be sure and leave someone your name and address though, in case the pictures don't come back in time and you have already left for home.

Just enjoy it... not many more hours to go.

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posted 09-09-2009 06:20 PM               

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Thanks David and Andy for the advice!

As you said, I'll just play it by ear and hope to bump into both of them with my camera in my hand (how very convenient!).

If I'm not too confident about that working, I'll guess I'll just pay for the photoshoots, but I guess I'll just have to wait and see...

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posted 09-10-2009 07:32 AM               

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You're welcome! I must go and load the van!

I should say: I think asking astronauts for a photo around the hotel is probably a no-no... Best to respect their privacy out of the signing room. (You may get a surprise, though: Linda and I have several times been unexpectedly invited to join one of the guys at breakfast!)

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posted 09-10-2009 07:44 AM               

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Just as I did with Charlie and Helen, lovely chat over breakfast, not to mention dinner and drinks with the girls from ASF, Linn, Diana and Pam.

And many other great memories of drinks with astronauts in the bar and chats

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posted 09-10-2009 07:45 AM               

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That's probably good advice, I can remember last time round someone approaching a non-space guest in the lobby of the hotel which got them a fairly 'strong' reaction from the guest in question.

The unfortunate thing was, from what I could see, the person wasn't even trying to get a freebie or anything. The guest looked a little unwell and the person seemed to be making sure they were okay!

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posted 09-10-2009 09:39 AM               

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For sure, be thirsty! it was a late session last time as I recall Blackarrow.

Regarding the thread, yes, here in the UK we enjoy our events no less than any other country especially when the astronauts come to visit. We seem to chat and talk more about it and get enthused.

I am sure it's the same your side of the Atlantic, maybe you US people are more reserved.

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posted 09-10-2009 10:06 AM               

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quote:

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Originally posted by StarDome:
I am sure it's the same your side of the Atlantic, maybe you US people are more reserved.

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Certainly Americans have never been noted for being reserved! I think as we get closer to ASF things will pick up a bit.

I think the enthusiasm you folks show is great, and I hope that all attending have a great time.

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posted 09-10-2009 11:29 AM               

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Thanks for that, looking forward to getting to the hotel at around lunch time. I'm sure we will all have a great time.

I will try to report back tomorrow evening providing I can get a signal on my mobile broadband and let you all know how many cS's turned up at 5pm in the bar! That's why some of my friends call me "Bar's & Star's"

I know at least two of us will be there.

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posted 09-11-2009 04:41 AM               

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Dave has just added this to the Autographica forum regarding Tom Stafford's fees:

• Base £170 to incl. dedication and Apollo/Soyuz mission or similar etc.
  
• Flown Items with Provenance £240
  
• GT6 and 9 Completions £270
  
• Apollo 10 completions £300
  
• ASTP Completions £220

Doesn't say anything about inscriptions or additional missions though.

Well that's me signing off for the show now, hope everyone has a great time and gets everything they want out of it. Toodle-pip!

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posted 09-11-2009 05:57 AM               

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Ouch! If the fee for signing flown items is correct, then that's £530 Gen Stafford won't be getting from my customers, unfortunately...

Just leaving! See you soon!