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Topic: Autographica 9 2007
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RPF
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posted 03-06-2007 11:33 AM
   
I would like to add a few observations about Autographica.Firstly I have attended all the Autographica shows, and awkward as it was to get to Northampton or Coventry, I got there because there were people I wanted to see. So the comments made by some previous people seem fair to me. The Haise and Lovell queues were short if you hit them right, and later on Sunday afternoon you would only have to queue for a few minutes (and I wish I had waited to then). All the other astronauts and the two cosmonauts did not require any significant amount of waiting time. The lectures organised by Astro Info Service were the highlight as usual. I saw Sy Liebergot and Bruce McCandless on Saturday, and Anatoly Artsebarksy and Salizhan Sharipov on Sunday. In fact, Sharipov’s lecture on Sunday was only attended by two people, which gave us the chance for a good three way conversation! Overall the event was well organised, but my only gripe was the Haise, Lovell and Liebergot lecture on Sunday morning. There were about 100 seats available in the lcture room, and only available to Platinum and Diamond Pass holders, or Gold Pass holders if you bought a further package. However, there were 37 spare seats in that lecture hall on Sunday morning. Why did the organisers not sell them off? A good chance for the lectures to make some more money (if they needed it), but more importantly, a seriously wasted opportunity for all space enthusiasts. I do think that this should have been better managed. |
AUTOGRAPHICA
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posted 03-06-2007 04:03 PM
The Haise/Lovell/Liebergot lecture was a big a dissapointment for me to.
Firstly, for a number of reasons it had to be free, and secondly i had worked out that we had in fact sold enough Diamond and Platinum passes to easily fill the room. I had even given 20 more to the ASF to sell off as they wished, but could not beleive it when the room remained less than full over 15 minutes from the start. It was not my maths at fault, but i think simply that some of those who had the right passes, did not have enough interest to attend it.
With luck though, we may just have another in years to come, so keep your fingers crossed.
I hope it was good, as i was another who could not attend.
Garry |
Robonaut
Member Posts: 259
From: Solihull, West Mids, England
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 03-06-2007 06:44 PM
I was also surprised the Apollo 13 presentation was not full but I am sure those of us that were there took away very good memories. I know I did.I wonder if the early start (for a Sunday) may have reduced the numbers attending. I did not stay up as late as I normally do after the dinner and one of the reasons for that was that I wanted to be up and reasonably free of hangover for the presentation. The lectures are an important part of the show for me. It is a great chance to hear stories of human spaceflight from different perspectives. Whether it be McCandless on his role as a support astronaut for Apollo or Artsebarsky talking about his EVA operations on Mir or Liebergot about those 'who also serve' or Sharipov talking about his training for ISS. Where else in the UK can you get this in one weekend. Best wishes
Rob Wood [Edited by Robonaut (March 06, 2007).] [Edited by Robonaut (March 06, 2007).] |
Blackarrow
Member Posts: 3120
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 03-06-2007 08:13 PM
I thought the Apollo 13 lecture on Sunday morning was one of the highlights (possibly THE highlight) of a wonderful weekend. The fact that it took place at 9.30am on Sunday morning, about 7 hours after my head hit the pillow, may explain some of the empty seats. I know it had to be early enough to suit people who had to leave early, and there was also the requirement to vacate rooms by 11.00am (or thereabouts...) Nevertheless, the event itself was first class and I appreciate the opportunity to meet more of the heroes of my boyhood.Some of you may have seen me hobbling around the hotel, gritting my teeth in discomfort. I'm hoping it's only a temporary problem, and that I'll be fighting fit next time. Mind you, I would have dragged myself to Autographica, by the elbows, over broken glass last weekend. Well done to all concerned! |
Sy Liebergot
Member Posts: 501
From: Pearland, Texas USA
Registered: May 2003
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posted 03-07-2007 08:19 AM
Folks, I suppose that it’s my turn to say that I immensely enjoyed my visit to 2007 Autographica. I was kept quite busy, especially on Saturday by a wonderful crowd of laid back and polite collectors. Fred Haise found it “unbelievable” that my Saturday lecture was ninety minutes in length. I believe that the synergy created by having the three of together contributed to the overall excitement of the attendees. The show was the best organized that I have experienced. The table minders were professional and an immense help to me. I was able to better concentrate on you all and have real conversations. Cudos to Garry King, Dave Shayler and Dave Philips. Finally, many thanks to Kim Topley who made my visit possible and was a perfect host. I hope to enjoy your company again, someday in the future.
Sy Liebergot
“Apollo SECOM: Journey of A Lifetime” www.apolloeecom.com
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nasamad
Member Posts: 2121
From: Essex, UK
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 03-07-2007 08:52 AM
I'm sure everyone will join me in thanking Kim for sponsoring Sy to come over, and thanking Sy for being such a great guest. Your welcome back anytime Sy ! Adam |
jut2y
Member Posts: 260
From: worthing west sussex united kingdom
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 03-07-2007 10:50 AM
It was great to meet you SY hope to repeat the pleasure again sometime.
Best Paul. |
Paul Littler
Member Posts: 70
From: Brentwood, Essex, UK
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 03-07-2007 01:16 PM
What I like about autographica is the chance to get really close to the astronauts I never expected to see, let alone be able to talk to and especially when the unexpected happens. At one of the events in Coventry I sat down for lunch and in walked Scott Carpenter and Dick Gordon. Amazingly they decided to sit next to me -the restaurant had only just opened and was empty and we ate tomato soup together!!!!! (didn't need a platinum ticket for that). I have no idea why they chose to do that as there was a VIP area at the other end of the hotel. This year Fred Haise (to my amazement)offered me his camera and asked me to take a photograph of him with the young lady who had assisted him all weekend. This was the Sunday when it is usually very quiet and the astronauts are more at ease. Little things that will stick in the memory. Thanks to everyone involved in the event. ------------------
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paulushumungus
Member Posts: 466
From: Burton, Derbyshire, England
Registered: Oct 2005
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posted 03-07-2007 02:18 PM
Sy,You were a delight to meet over the weekend.Clearly you were loving every minute meeting the collectors and seeing what we had brought along to be signed.One of my favourite moments was watching you draw around your hand on the inside of a book and then sign in the middle.Your Saturday lecture was also very interesting and well put presented.The best £10 of the weekend ! You must come and see us all again soon...and bring along Jim and Freddo and see if you can persuade Gene this time.Best wishes.Paul (we chatted together on the way back to the main room after your Saturday lecture) |
Robonaut
Member Posts: 259
From: Solihull, West Mids, England
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 03-07-2007 04:56 PM
I would also like to add my thanks to Kim for sponsoring Sy's visit and to Sy himself for travelling to see us. I very much enjoyed listening to Sy talk about his experiences in Mission Control at the lecture on Saturday and was very pleased that the organisers forgot to mention to him that it was only supposed to last for an hour because it meant we had the pleasure of his stories for what must have been at least 90 minutes.  One reason it was so enjoyable was because it gave us a different perspective about the Apollo Programme; one that we are not used to hearing about. Best wishes Rob Wood |
David Bryant
Member Posts: 986
From: Norfolk UK
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 03-07-2007 05:21 PM
 David & Linda
'The Space Station' |
divemaster
Member Posts: 1376
From: ridgefield, ct
Registered: May 2002
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posted 03-07-2007 05:22 PM
Al Worden photos from Autographica can be sent to webmaster@alworden.com. Please document who is in the photograph. We'll do our very best to get them up on his site.
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Steve Procter
Member Posts: 1031
From: Leeds, Yorkshire, UK
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 03-08-2007 11:23 AM
At last! A chance to sit down and pen a few words about last weekends event.I don’t propose to do a lengthy report this year (do I hear a collective sigh of relief?) but just wanted to say what a great event it was. The guest line up was superb with opportunities throughout the weekend to meet and talk with them in what, I thought, was a very relaxed atmosphere. Got some super photos of Jim Lovell and Fred Haise signing and circulating around the show as well as at the social events. I think Lovell took more photos than anyone! Great to meet Sy Liebergot , get a copy of his book (I don’t expect you had to take any home Sy!) and chat with him on a number of occasions. Nice to meet Bruce McCandless for the first time, at the drinks reception, and again over the weekend. Al Worden was, well… Al Worden! Always on the go and always with a word for the ladies!! It was great to meet Anatoly Artsebarsky and Salizhan Sharipov with whom we had the great pleasure of dining with on Saturday evening. Our esteemed table, in addition to Debbie and myself and our cosmonaut guest also was blessed with Carl and Tracy Walker, Jill and Rob Wood and Lynn and Rex Hall who were superb company as always. The noise coming from our table was one of the frequent toasts with the accompanying ‘RA-RA-RAH!!’ making us sound like a bunch of cheerleaders! Throughout the weekend it was nice to meet up with old and new friends including the ‘usual suspects’ including Paul B, Paul P, Dave Sixsmith, Fred J and Yvon, Ollie, Oliver, Geoff Bowman (hope you are feeling a bit better Geoff) Ian A and family, Nick (spaceman), Paul (from Leeds), Derek (hope it wasn’t too late when you got back to Scotland), Brenda and Ted, Helen, Robert Synge, the Woods, the Walkers and anyone else I have missed! BIG thanks to the workers – Rex and Lynn for their work with the cosmonauts, Elena for coming over and helping out as always, John Masters and the crew for their efforts which go unnoticed, Dave Shayler and his team for the work they do in organising the talks. Biggest thanks of course go to Garry and Dave for masterminding the whole thing and have probably been lying down in a darkened room for most of this week. Last word is just to thank the guests for attending the show. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did. Tell your friends – we will make them equally welcome!
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Dave Rossiter
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posted 03-08-2007 01:25 PM
What a weekend. I had been persuaded to go to the dinner and then was lucky enough to win a seat at Jim Lovell's table in the ASF raffle. Fantastic. Sat almost right opposite him, I was able to ask various questions. It's a memory that will stay with me forever. Just as good was meeting Fred Haise in the reception beforehand. We chatted for about a quarter of an hour before I told him that he must go and talk to other guests who had started queuing up behind me! The talk by the two of them and Sy on Sunday morning was interesting - although I was shocked to see that some people decided not to come along. How could they miss that opportunity. Al Worden was superb entertainment as always. Bruce McCandless' talk was fascinating. Sy's gave an insight into life behind the 'astronauts' - it's hard to imagine how much beer must have been drunk during those days! Last year I discovered the lectures. This year I discovered the dinner. Roll on October. Well done and thanks to everyone for making it happen. I had a fantastic time. |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 03-08-2007 02:54 PM
Dave,
you must have been just to the right of me on Lovell's table, with Tom O'Connor between us. I was sat directly opposite Lovell. All 3 of us were ticket winners and very happy bunnies. Hope to see you later in the year.
Paul Bramley |
David Bryant
Member Posts: 986
From: Norfolk UK
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 03-08-2007 06:01 PM
Hey! How about a 'word-up' to the dealers, who got to the venue Friday night, unloaded in the pouring rain, stood up for the next two days and couldn't get away to hear the lectures! And we provided entertainment while you were in virtual queues! LOL! |
uk spacefan
Member Posts: 168
From: London
Registered: Jan 2007
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posted 03-09-2007 06:00 AM
I too had a great time meeting Fred,Jim,Sy and Bruce.Well done to Dave,Garry and the others INC. the dealers (please note: Dave B (LOL)).Patty P.S. Sy - On meeting you and reading your book,I'm amazed at your achievements,and what a gentleman you are,despite your tragic childhood. |
Dave Rossiter
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posted 03-10-2007 05:26 AM
Paul - I think I must have been! I was on the other side of Tom. October should be great. See you then. |
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