Bill Fox SR-71 Talk Review

Bill Fox, former Skunkworks project coordinator, renowned member of the
Roadrunners Internationale (see http://roadrunnersinternationale.com/),
former head of the notorious Area 51, and all-around great guy put on a
wonderful show for us last night, at the Alexis Park Inn & Suites in Iowa
City.

25 select attendees (the maximum our little theater can hold) were treated
to a two-hour presentation that included Bill talking about his years at the
Skunkworks working on the SR-71 Blackbird, the Aquila (pilotless recon)
program, the F-117 Stealth Fighter, the U-2, and many other "lesser"
programs from the 1960s through the 1980s.

His talk was followed by several unique videos (certainly not stuff you can
buy at Blockbuster!) about the SR-71, the D-21 drone (that was used to
overfly Russia after Congress made it illegal for manned aircraft to do so),
and the many programs at Area 51.

The presentation *was* filmed, but the cameraman left before the "question &
answer" period at the end, so we missed some of the really "good stuff"
about Martian bodies (no, they aren't kept at Area 51), about his boss,
Kelly Johnson, and about the ultimate demise of the Blackbird program -- but
it should still be pretty good stuff.

Once we get it into DVD format, I'll let everyone know.

Because his appearance turned out to be so popular, Bill has offered to do
the talk again in the future. He really is a great guy, accepting no
compensation whatever for his time and effort (well, we *did* give him the
coveted "Alexis Park Inn & Suites" baseball cap... ;-), and being incredibly
supportive of Mary and me. If you get the chance to see/meet him, I urge
you to take advantage.

(BTW: Big John, Bill had never heard of the "Blackbird brought down by the
shuttle explosion" story, so I suspect it's bogus.)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

If I recall, hasn't he written a book?

A father of a scout that is in my son's pack lived
around the country, and his father was an engineer
and pilot, and was involved in those programs.
However, his father has passed away, and he is interested
in the book.

I could not recall the name.

Also - anyone interested in doing an audio book
version so I can listen during my 2-hours a day
of commuting? (hee hee).

Thanks,

Gary

Oh Man... Why did the camera guy leave before the Q&A session???? That
is the meat of the evening..

Ben
www.haaspowerair.com


Jay Honeck wrote:
Bill Fox, former Skunkworks project coordinator, renowned member of the
Roadrunners Internationale (see http://roadrunnersinternationale.com/),
former head of the notorious Area 51, and all-around great guy put on a
wonderful show for us last night, at the Alexis Park Inn & Suites in Iowa
City.

25 select attendees (the maximum our little theater can hold) were treated
to a two-hour presentation that included Bill talking about his years at the
Skunkworks working on the SR-71 Blackbird, the Aquila (pilotless recon)
program, the F-117 Stealth Fighter, the U-2, and many other "lesser"
programs from the 1960s through the 1980s.

His talk was followed by several unique videos (certainly not stuff you can
buy at Blockbuster!) about the SR-71, the D-21 drone (that was used to
overfly Russia after Congress made it illegal for manned aircraft to do so),
and the many programs at Area 51.

The presentation *was* filmed, but the cameraman left before the "question &
answer" period at the end, so we missed some of the really "good stuff"
about Martian bodies (no, they aren't kept at Area 51), about his boss,
Kelly Johnson, and about the ultimate demise of the Blackbird program -- but
it should still be pretty good stuff.

Once we get it into DVD format, I'll let everyone know.

Because his appearance turned out to be so popular, Bill has offered to do
the talk again in the future. He really is a great guy, accepting no
compensation whatever for his time and effort (well, we *did* give him the
coveted "Alexis Park Inn & Suites" baseball cap... ;-), and being incredibly
supportive of Mary and me. If you get the chance to see/meet him, I urge
you to take advantage.

(BTW: Big John, Bill had never heard of the "Blackbird brought down by the
shuttle explosion" story, so I suspect it's bogus.)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Oh Man... Why did the camera guy leave before the Q&A session???? That
is the meat of the evening..

He apparently had somewhere he had to be, and when the videos started, he
thought the night was over.

We'll see if the video turns out. Too late I noticed that the tripod was
set up right next to a pretty noisy air return, so I hope that noise didn't
overwhelm Bill's voice.

Turns just a week ago Bill had oral surgery, and just two days before his
talk, the wound started to hemorrhage! He's on blood thinners (his family
has a long history of strokes, and he's no spring chicken), and it
apparently really let loose.

Thus, unbeknownst to us, it was a real close call as to whether Bill was
going to be able to make his appearance, and with all the soreness, he
wasn't able to project his voice real well.

So, anyway, we'll see if anything is audible on the tape! (I haven't
received it from the cameraman, yet.) I'll let you guys know when I
see/hear it.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

The presentation *was* filmed, but the cameraman left before the "question &
answer" period at the end

Friend of yours? FORMER friend of yours???

He needs sacking.

(well, we *did* give him the
coveted "Alexis Park Inn & Suites" baseball cap... ;-)

I gots one too, and I didn't give a Blackbird presentation!

-jav

Jay

Tnx for the SR-71 report from Bill.

The guy who told me was on a console when the bird blew but he got
fired from working any console due to 'nerves' so may have had a lapse
of memory with all the goings on????

Big John

On Wed, 31 May 2006 14:44:16 GMT, "Jay Honeck"
wrote:

u