posted 05-14-2003 10:59 AM            

Enjoyed your pics on the Sightings page.

I think we must have been at the same lecture by Al on the Sunday. Did you have a good camera with light meter etc, if so we were sitting next to each other lol.

That was a really cool talk, very relaxed and informal and I enjoyed how candid he was with us about how he feels about Scott.

The lectures really added a lot to the Autographica experience. I went to Yuri's on Sat too and that was also great.

Just wondered - will you be putting any more of your pics online anywhere?

posted 05-17-2003 01:08 PM               

Yes - the lectures were excellent, weren't they.
Actually I wasn't the guy with the light meter! Just sitting in the front row far left as I recall.
Wasn't planning to post the pictures anywhere but happy to e-mail them to you if you want.

posted 05-17-2003 02:37 PM               

Light meter boy here. Well I think it is me you were thinking of; I had a Nikon 35mm SLR with sepearte flash gun and flash meter. As a number of digital shots from Autographica had already been posted I did not bother posting any of my prints. I did get some nice ones however and if Robert does not mind yet more shots from Autographica I'll be glad to send them to the "sightings" page.

Excellent event. Looking forward to Coventry in November already. More astronauts have been promised. Anybody got any ideas who they might be????

Regards,

posted 05-17-2003 03:11 PM               

Regards,

Rick.

posted 05-19-2003 02:15 PM            

Great shots, thanks very much for posting them. Great memories of a great event. I didn't take my camera into the lectures so I was kicking myself after - so its very good to see some now.
And I wish I did know who they were getting for the next one - I've got a quote on the Autographica home page but unfortunately thats as far as my insight goes lol. Although maybe they themselves aren't sure yet, you know how these things can take awhile to get sorted. But judging from the guests we've already seen at previous ones then safe bet we're going to be pleased. Its always worth making suggestions to them - afterall its feedback from visitors that helps a lot so they know who we'd be interested in. I've suggested a few guest ideas before and they've been very welcoming to any suggestions. Contact info is on the Autographica site at www.autographica.co.uk

And Hi Robert - sorry for the mix up. Small room so all the pics look like they were from angle I was watching it from lol.

Thank you so much for your very kind offer to email them - I'll send you an email about it straight away. Thanks.

- Wayne

posted 05-19-2003 02:39 PM               

I think Autographica are trying to get a Moonwalker to attend Coventry. I wonder if Charlie Duke has been approached ..I know Ed Mitchell, and Alan Bean have attended past shows....anyone else care to have a guess...we could start a book.
I know Dave Scott lives over here but I think he asks quite high fees.
I can think of one who wont be attending the show thou.....two even....lol

Regards,

posted 05-19-2003 02:44 PM            

I'd definitely be one who'd be packing in to see him. And Duke would be cool too.

I met Mitchell in 2001 at the show and he was nice to meet.

posted 05-19-2003 05:16 PM               

Would anyone care to enlighten me please.

posted 05-19-2003 07:11 PM               

Al was at pains to point out that the Apollo 15 crew were not friends before or during the mission, but professional colleagues with high regards for each other's abilities. From a professional point of view he felt that Scott was probably the best astronaut in the astronaut office at that time, and was extremely pleased to be flying a mission with him. On a personal level Al characterized Scott as a straight-laced Boy Scout, in contrast to a character like Dick Gordon (who Al told us was one of his best friends in the astronaut circle). Al also seemed to have been at least fond of Jim Irwin (maybe more so post-Apollo 15?), referring to him as 'a great guy'.

He gave no specific details of his version of the cover scandal, but something in Scott's involvement/handling of the situation is at the core of his subsequent unfavourable feelings towards Scott. He told us quite categorically that he feels it is Scott's actions that ruined his career. Scott also blew his own long term chances of making not only General but possibly Chief Of Staff. According to Al this was looking quite possible until the scandal broke. A more damaging fall from grace than I had previously heard.

Essentially Al wasn't prepared to indulge in telling us his side of events, but simply gave us his feelings about the outcome.

Guess we'll have to wait for the book for the juicy stuff

posted 05-20-2003 09:11 AM            

And I think I'm quoting accurately from the lecture, Al said he had 'issues with him back then, and still had some issues now'. I think we all took that as a reference to the cover scandal.
But he repeatedly stated how he thought Scott was the very best to fly with, and that he was very pleased to have been on a mission with him.
I guess it's a case like in any job - can admire someone for their abilities but maybe not warm to them personally. Not everyone can be friends.

One point I remembered slightly differently was that Al did say that Scott had been portrayed as 'a straight-laced Boy Scout' but he continued and said that in reality that had not been the case. Guys are guys being the general feeling.

It really was a very interesting lecture. I guess we're all so used to anyone in the public eye doing TV interviews and being just like a politician when asked a question. At this lecture it was very good to have the real deal, real feelings. I think we all very much appreciated Al's honesty about his feelings when answering. The highlight of a great weekend.

- Wayne

posted 05-20-2003 03:51 PM               

"Beggars cannot be choosers" as the saying goes and we in the UK should be grateful for any astronauts we can get. As great as Gordon and Mitchell have been at previous Autographicas over the years a repeat appearance by them alone would not be sufficient to move me to Coventry for a grey day in November...... If Garry is reading this, bring on Charlie Duke!

Regards,

Rick.

posted 05-20-2003 04:39 PM               

You forgot, Carpenter, Schirra and Stafford ! Haven't seem those guys here yet for a public signing.

P.S. Isn't Schweickart still travelling around Europe ? Maybe he could pop in too ;-)

posted 05-21-2003 04:09 PM               

We can but hope. I think I read a post a while back from Robert following suggestions that Stafford and Carpenter might want to travel to the UK to promote their respective books. The feedback given to Robert by the publishers was that neither was likely to make the trip......

Regards,

posted 05-21-2003 06:02 PM               

Other 'suggestions' have included Skylab astronauts Lousma (and/or possibly Kerwin) Pogue just doesn't fancy the long flights! (After being on Skylab for x days work that one out, only kidding Bill !!)

Scott is a nice idea but I think he has been sounded out before and the finances just made it a non-starter (same for Aldrin).

Duke would be nice. How about some other space related personalities such as Gene Kranz?

Of course if Neil was at a loose end come November I'm sure we would give him a warm welcome! (Bill Anders and Mike Collins likewise)

Yours (in the land of wishful thinking!)