[Finny]

Leaving those planes on the ground to sit and rot is, to me, a worse crime. They were built to be flown. One of the best air museums in the U.S., Chino Air Museum, IS special because all of the aircraft there FLY.

You can look at a Corsair on the ground and say, "Wow, what a neat plane." But when you see it and hear it in the air -- well, if your heart doesn't just about burst with pride and admiration, there's something wrong with you.

You can see a homely, squat little Mig sitting on the tarmac and think, "man, that plane is uglier than a mud fence." Then when you see it in the air, it looks like a beautiful little swallow, just plumb gorgeous.

But most of all, it's the SOUND of the planes. Just hearing them is a thrill.

And with respect, for you to say that the plane was a mere "plaything" for Jim Leeward is ... well, I'd like to smack you upside the head for that. That's an insult to the guy's memory and to the whole tradition of air shows, which for many folks, is the first time they see the true excitement and thrill of aviation -- that's what the "playthings" of guys like Leeward accomplish, and that is a good thing. This was an accident, and a tragic one. You speak ill of the dead when you insult Leeward that way.

[Do Not Make Fun Of His Ears]

>>And with respect, for you to say that the plane was a mere “plaything” for Jim Leeward is ... well, I’d like to smack you upside the head for that. <<

I already backed off.

And if you laid a hand on me, I promise you, you would regret it.