Before it was Rare Bear

[Big_Jim]

Keep in mind to keep from cooking ignition coils and other items under the cowl a blower setup was devised for forcing air through the cowling after a run once the engine was shut off on the ground.

Huh. I wonder why Rod Lewis' bunch never utilized that idea?

OH, that's right, they were offered. But...."We think our way works just fine".

[knot4u]

Greg Shaw and Dwight Thorn -- Reno 1989

I didn't know Greg Shaw in 1989 and for as long as I did know him he didn't have a nickname. If you look at his jacket in that photo apparently he did. What was it? I miss that guy.

[wingman]

After work...

[BellCobraIV]

Huh. I wonder why Rod Lewis' bunch never utilized that idea?

OH, that's right, they were offered. But...."We think our way works just fine".

You know Big Jim that was a super frustrating experience. I took the phone call from "He who will not be named" asking me to arrange to get the airflow on the ground system setup during raceweek as it had become a concern to him. I took the time from my duties at Mystery Aire to make the calls asking you to make the parts necessary for the system. I tell "HWWNBN" that it is all set up, by the time you arrive after getting direction they tell you "Thanks but no thanks."

Let's just go back to positive things about the Bear...


Que the next picture to discuss.

[knot4u]

After work...

Thanks. Do you have a picture of Greg smiling? I saw it plenty but I think most people thought he was always on edge and super serious, which he was but sometimes...

[wingman]

I'll have to look but I don't think so.

I don't have a lot of Greg. I have a couple of the opposite mood that I hesitate to post as he's clearly telling people things they don't want to hear when they're exhausted and things are not going well. That's the side of crew chiefing one does not show.

Neal

[knot4u]

You know Big Jim that was a super frustrating experience. I took the phone call from "He who will not be named" asking me to arrange to get the airflow on the ground system setup during raceweek as it had become a concern to him. I took the time from my duties at Mystery Aire to make the calls asking you to make the parts necessary for the system. I tell "HWWNBN" that it is all set up, by the time you arrive after getting direction they tell you "Thanks but no thanks."

Let's just go back to positive things about the Bear...


Que the next picture to discuss.

Regardless of the losses of so many team members over the years there are still a few kickin'. The fact that people always want to talk about it has cemented your dad and the airplane in history as a legend. I suppose in the future someone might go faster, but not with that style. The small airframe with clipped wings, a small canopy and a big engine (it took a lot of people a lot of time and personal sacrifice) seemed to be something that excited people. And then the three blade prop was installed, the airplane instantly became extraordinary. It was photogenic, and it was fast. It was the Oso Raro, King of the Valley, and it shook your insides when it went by and it was on it.

[BellCobraIV]

I didn't know Greg Shaw in 1989 and for as long as I did know him he didn't have a nickname. If you look at his jacket in that photo apparently he did. What was it? I miss that guy.

Wikipedia, look for Rodan. Cornell came up with a nickname for everyone, and every other race plane... example Stiletto was "Butter knife", the Super Corsair was"Mattress Wings"

[knot4u]

Wikipedia, look for Rodan. Cornell came up with a nickname for everyone, and every other race plane... example Stiletto was "Butter knife", the Super Corsair was"Mattress Wings"

I know what Rodan is, why was that Gregs nickname?

[knot4u]

I'll have to look but I don't think so.

I don't have a lot of Greg. I have a couple of the opposite mood that I hesitate to post as he's clearly telling people things they don't want to hear when they're exhausted and things are not going well. That's the side of crew chiefing one does not show.

Neal

I told Greg I?d never go racing without him. I?ve kept that promise.