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  Autographica 18, Birmingham, UK, October 2012 (Page 3)

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Author Topic:   Autographica 18, Birmingham, UK, October 2012
machbusterman
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From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
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posted 09-23-2012 04:19 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for machbusterman   Click Here to Email machbusterman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Skyguy48:
I'm going down on the Sunday from Edinburgh and the flights times are just awful... The earliest will get me down there at 12 noon.
That was pretty much the same time as I could get in on Saturday also. I'll leave around 7am and should be down there prior to midday and if I leave around 5pm should be home by 10pm.

This is why I hate it when the show is in Birmingham. It has far fewer carriers flying to it, the flight times are ridiculous and are also much more expensive (than when flying to Heathrow). I'm sure that international attendees also much prefer going to Heathrow too.

Blackarrow
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From: Belfast, United Kingdom
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posted 09-23-2012 03:11 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Blackarrow     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
So is that just David Bryant and I attending on the Friday?

David Bryant
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posted 09-24-2012 01:25 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for David Bryant   Click Here to Email David Bryant     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
About a dozen of us are meeting up for dinner at the hotel Friday night: you're welcome to join us!

Blackarrow
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posted 09-24-2012 12:08 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Blackarrow     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Sounds like a good plan - but are you also going to the Friday drinks reception, and (if so) is the dinner before or after?

Torsten
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From: Oberhausen, Germany
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posted 09-24-2012 01:09 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Torsten   Click Here to Email Torsten     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The dinner will be on Saturday evening, as Dave told me. I'll be sitting with Edgar Mitchell by the way

David Bryant
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From: Norfolk UK
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posted 09-26-2012 07:54 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for David Bryant   Click Here to Email David Bryant     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I think BA was referring to the post above! Yes: we'll 'do' the reception and then go for dinner: all anoraks together! LOL!

Blackarrow
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From: Belfast, United Kingdom
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posted 09-26-2012 04:43 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Blackarrow     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
You're talking my language, David! Should I bring my slide-rule and pocket-protector?

(Actually, what IS a pocket-protector??)

Paul23
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posted 09-27-2012 02:58 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Paul23   Click Here to Email Paul23     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I believe the origins of the pocket protector originate from a desire to introduce a device that can protect the pocket from outside influences by protecting the pocket utilising a unique system of pocket protection equipment thereby protecting the pocket and significantly reducing the risk of the pocket remaining unprotected.

topmiler
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From: eastleigh, hampshire, UK
Registered: Jul 2012

posted 09-27-2012 03:31 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for topmiler     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Excellent.

Kite
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From: Northampton UK
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posted 09-27-2012 11:50 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Kite     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Paul23, did you help write the scripts for "Yes Minister" and "Yes Prime Minister" by any chance?

Buel
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From: UK
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posted 09-27-2012 12:46 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Buel   Click Here to Email Buel     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'm lucky enough to be going to my first ever 'Autographica' in Birmingham, UK, in two weeks and I have never met an astronaut before so I'm very excited indeed.

However, before I do, I'd like to have an idea of what the ones I am going to meet are like. Please can I ask who has met Buzz Aldrin, Charlie Duke, Ed Mitchell, Richard Gordon and Robert Springer?

A while ago I asked a similar question about Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong so I have a fairly good idea of what to expect from Buzz Aldrin (could be good or bad, depending on mood?) but id still like any opinions anyone can offer?

I'm really excited about Charlie Duke as he sounds a character. Thank you in advance.

paulushumungus
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From: Burton, Derbyshire, England
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posted 09-27-2012 01:23 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for paulushumungus   Click Here to Email paulushumungus     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Buzz - Depends on the mood of the day but mostly good.

Charlie Duke - lovely, very happy and accomodating.

Dick Gordon - Great, a real funny character.

Edgar - Quieter, measured, thoughtful, accomodating

David Bryant
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From: Norfolk UK
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posted 09-28-2012 01:21 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for David Bryant   Click Here to Email David Bryant     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I agree with Paul's assessment 100%. The thing to always remember (in my opinion) is that, while these legendary heroes are extremely familiar to us all, they are elderly, can be crotchety and deserve our best behaviour!

Autographica is, of course, not just an astronaut show: Paul may remember the occasion when a movie-fan attendee walked up to an Apollo astronaut, put an arm around his shoulders and said 'Hey *****! How the f*** are you?' Ouch! Unsurprisingly, the gauche youngster was rebuked and removed!

Blackarrow
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From: Belfast, United Kingdom
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posted 09-28-2012 01:53 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Blackarrow     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I believe he was tied down in the flame-trench at Pad 39A just before STS-135 went up.

Buel
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posted 09-29-2012 07:25 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Buel   Click Here to Email Buel     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Dave Bryant, please pleeeease tell me which astronaut that was?

David Bryant
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posted 09-29-2012 01:09 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for David Bryant   Click Here to Email David Bryant     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
LOL! Nope! My lips are sealed! He isn't at this show, though!

Anyone know what time the Friday drinks reception starts?

Paul23
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From: South East, UK
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posted 10-01-2012 03:01 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Paul23   Click Here to Email Paul23     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I've got a memory of it starting at about 6pm, but that seems a bit early for something like that, maybe it was more like 7pm.

In short I don't know the answer either!

David Bryant
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From: Norfolk UK
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posted 10-01-2012 10:19 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for David Bryant   Click Here to Email David Bryant     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Dave P says 8.00 - 8.30, so I've booked dinner for 6.30!

Blackarrow
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From: Belfast, United Kingdom
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posted 10-01-2012 04:23 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Blackarrow     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It's like the Sixties: nobody who goes has any memory of the reception, just a throbbing headache and a mouth like the bottom of a hamster's cage. Be warned!

Paul23
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posted 10-01-2012 04:48 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Paul23   Click Here to Email Paul23     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Sounds like great fun!

Skyguy48
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From: Scotland
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posted 10-02-2012 04:51 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Skyguy48   Click Here to Email Skyguy48     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Skyguy48:
I'll leave around 7am and should be down there prior to midday and if I leave around 5pm should be home by 10pm.
My travel plans are on hold until I find out if entry to the show will be permitted after the 11.00 a.m. printed on my ticket. I can't get a flight down there till at least 12 noon. Any old timers any ideas? I e-mailed Autographica but no reply.

Blackarrow
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From: Belfast, United Kingdom
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posted 10-02-2012 06:23 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Blackarrow     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The time on your ticket means "no entry BEFORE 11.00am." You can attend any time after 11.00am. There is definitely no question of you being turned away.

minipci
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From: London, UK
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posted 10-03-2012 04:36 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for minipci     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
As funds preclude my getting more than one Item autographed by Buzz Aldrin, I was wondering which item I should get signed?

Either a Gemini XII flight plan, or a copy of the 10:56:20 PM 7/20/69 book.

Would any of you have any advice on which item I should think of getting signed in preference to the other? Thanks!

carl walker
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From: Netherlands
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posted 10-03-2012 03:08 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for carl walker     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Blackarrow:
Sounds like a good plan - but are you also going to the Friday drinks reception, and (if so) is the dinner before or after?

I'll be at the drinks reception, see you boys there!

ASF1984
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From: Titusville, Florida USA
Registered: Sep 2009

posted 10-04-2012 11:13 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for ASF1984     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Looking forward to seeing everyone! Linn, Nicole and Kristin from ASF will be in attendance so please say hello.

David Bryant
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From: Norfolk UK
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posted 10-07-2012 11:59 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for David Bryant   Click Here to Email David Bryant     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Well I'm beginning to get excited if no-one else is! FOUR Apollo Astronauts and TWO Shuttle Astronauts! Showmasters: you ROCK!

Paul23
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posted 10-07-2012 12:42 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Paul23   Click Here to Email Paul23     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Couldn't agree more!

I spent this afternoon sorting out photos etc to bring with me to the show, still haven't made final decisions on what to get signed as yet but I reckon I'm most of the way there!

I think Showmasters have done a great job with the space guests this year and it promises to be a great weekend.

robert_l
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From: Dundee,Scotland
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posted 10-07-2012 02:34 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for robert_l   Click Here to Email robert_l     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I coming down from Scotland on Saturday night so that I can be there on Sunday. I have booked photo shoot with Buzz and also group shot with astronauts, start of a big Apollo week! Going back up to Glasgow for Aileen's event with Dick Gordon then off to Pontefract to see Charlie again!

Skyguy48
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posted 10-07-2012 04:55 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Skyguy48   Click Here to Email Skyguy48     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Hey Robert, will see you down there AND at Aileen's event with Dick Gordon in Glasgow. This is my first chance to say hi to Buzz Aldrin (Am "Buzzing" at the thought). I will get down there for lunchtime on Sunday. Am pretty "Spaced Out" for next couple of weeks as off to the AAMS at the Cape on the 31st Yeehaa!

Madon_space
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From: uk
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posted 10-07-2012 05:08 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Madon_space   Click Here to Email Madon_space     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by David Bryant:
Well I'm beginning to get excited if no-one else is! FOUR Apollo Astronauts and TWO Shuttle Astronauts! Showmasters: you ROCK!
I am really excited about meeting them all as this will be my first time at the Autographica show and will be there on Saturday morning with my missus and 2 boys.

I will be the small guy with the collectSPACE shirt on and the NASA baseball cap if anyone wants to say hello. — Rob

Buel
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From: UK
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posted 10-09-2012 03:41 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Buel   Click Here to Email Buel     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Please can I check that the dinner is Saturday night and not Friday?

Also, I have paid for Charlie Duke's talk on the Sunday but have also paid to hear him speak up at Pontefract. I'm now worried that the talks will be the same?

Robonaut
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From: Solihull, West Mids, England
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posted 10-09-2012 04:53 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robonaut   Click Here to Email Robonaut     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The Autographica dinner is on Saturday evening. There is a drinks reception on Friday for certain ticket holders.

From reading the posts on here I think there is an informal get together of enthusiasts for a bite to eat on the Friday but this is not part of the formal show.

I do not know the plans for the lectures but my experience of both events suggests the one in Pontefract will have more content and there will be more time for questions. The Autographica lectures always seem to be to be a little rushed.

Buel
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From: UK
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posted 10-09-2012 07:49 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Buel   Click Here to Email Buel     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thank you for that. I'd also like to ask about what to wear. Dave at Autographica said Friday "Smart Casual" and Saturday "Evening Dress."

I'm not 100% clear on how I should interpret it? (I'm not one for eating out regularly.)

AstroAutos
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posted 10-09-2012 08:05 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for AstroAutos   Click Here to Email AstroAutos     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Getting very excited about the show now! Will be heading over for the Saturday only - will be doing the Aldrin, Mitchell, Duke and Gordon photoshoots, as well as the Mitchell's and Gordon's Saturday lectures.

I'll see you guys there! — Shane

Paul23
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From: South East, UK
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posted 10-09-2012 10:16 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Paul23   Click Here to Email Paul23     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Buel:
I'd also like to ask about what to wear.
I couldn't say for sure about the dinner because I've never been but when I've seen people around the place heading off for it, they've usually been either wearing a dinner jacket/black tie or a normal suit and tie. Whether you would be okay with a jacket and no tie or a tie and no jacket I couldn't say.

The Friday evening seemed a lot more informal, I wore jeans and a plain jumper at the last one with no problems.

Buel
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posted 10-09-2012 10:35 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Buel   Click Here to Email Buel     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks for that, that's what I was hoping. A suit is fine by me.

So will there be any astronauts at the drinks reception then? I've paid for VIP tickets but am 50/50 about going to that part.

Paul23
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From: South East, UK
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posted 10-09-2012 10:41 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Paul23   Click Here to Email Paul23     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I can certainly remember some of them, if not all, being there on the Friday night last time. Whether that will be the case again not sure, guess a lot will depend on when they are arriving at the event and whether they will fancy two evenings 'in the barrell' so to speak!

Buel
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posted 10-09-2012 12:05 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Buel   Click Here to Email Buel     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thank you for that, much appreciated.

Surely these astronauts must get tired of us space fans asking them (broadly) the same questions at events such as the drinks reception?

Also, did anyone see last night's episode of 'Don't tell the bride'? I hate the programme but my girlfriend made me watch it and the groom was the biggest space fan I have seen, he even had his wedding reception at the National Space Centre! He must be on here...

YankeeClipper
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From: Dublin, Ireland
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posted 10-09-2012 08:27 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for YankeeClipper   Click Here to Email YankeeClipper     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Buel:
Surely these astronauts must get tired of us space fans asking them (broadly) the same questions at events such as the drinks reception?
Having attended shows in the UK and US, I can say I've heard a spectrum of questions ranging from the idiotic, banal, clarification, hypothetical, technical, through to the downright interesting.

Most of the former type of questions are due to plain old stupidity, lack of good sense, laziness in not doing any prior research, or laziness in not formulating a well-crafted intelligent question.

If you take the time to research the astronauts and space workers thoroughly, consulting online biographies, mission details, books, photos, news articles, auction catalogues etc you will often find some new unusual angle to ask really good questions on. It's a compliment to the person of interest to do your research properly. It also stops you straying into territory that might be very controversial and likely to change the dynamic of your meeting.

I've always found good responses originate from unusual angled questions, very detail-specific questions, something that informs an astro to something they didn't even know, or something that only the astro would know that isn't mentioned in official records or books on the subject. Sometimes the responses are real eye-openers.

Somebody else on another thread gave some really good advice when they said to just enjoy the conversation/moment naturally. Not all the chat has to be space-related and other people's questions can be just as fascinating to listen to as the answers to those questions you are just dying to ask.

Just don't ask the 1 millionth-time question "So what was it like to walk on the Moon then ?" that I heard one punter ask Ed Mitchell last year in London!

Buel
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From: UK
Registered: Mar 2012

posted 10-09-2012 11:25 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Buel   Click Here to Email Buel     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
No chance!!!!!

Thanks for the advice!!


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