Neil Lawson of whiteplanes, died yesterday

In the course of selecting a photo for the poster which advertised the Pilot
Performance Survey at the 2005 SSA convention, I had occasion to correspond
with Mr. Lawson and, when the bank charges for a wire transfer proved more
than the fee for the photo, to speak with him at some length. His knowledge
of our sport was authoritative, his photographs elegant, informative and,
importantly properly archived with complete and appropriate accompanying
information, all qualities that differentiate a consummate professional from
the ranks of the hacks and the amateurs.

A good part of his work will be preserved in "Sailplane and Gliding". Never
the less, there must be many important but unseen images in his archives. I
hope that some way can be found to keep his oeuvre together and accessible
for the sake of his memory and the history of our sport.

Raphael H. Warshaw
Claremont, CA


"Andy Blackburn" wrote in message
...
At 10:06 10 August 2005, 2cernauta2 wrote:
Dear All,

I hear from my Italian friends at the Junior's WGCs
that the famous
soaring photographer Neil Lawson has died yesterday.
He was standing on the roof of his car, to get better
pictures of the
finishing gliders. One of those gliders caught him.
The pilot involved is a British team mate, Ian Craigie.
He has been
arrested.

Very sad news for the whole gliding world, for his
friends and
relatives.

He will be missed

Aldo Cernezzi

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/l...re/4137234.stm

http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/