WALT'S NEWS

Few people abuse their web-sites as much as I do, ignoring it from one year to the next. Thanks to the work (and great patience) of Don Pyeatt, it looks like we will be able to do better in the future.

In terms of business, I’ve been busy working with Lockheed Martin on an oral-video history of some of the outstanding employees of Lockheed, Martin, Martin-Marietta, Lockheed Martin and many of their associated and legacy companies. It is fascinating as the people being interviewed all held top positions on critical projects and it is refreshing to get an insider’s viewpoint on legendary products and events. Among twenty or so interviewed so far are Norman Augustine, Dan Tellep, Sherm Mullins, Peter Teets, Vance Coffman and Val Peline.

In the book line I’m busy with a new novel on (of all things) the Mexican drug cartels. I’m also busy at work on “How the Helicopter Changed Modern Warfare” and I’m learning a great deal on both subjects. I’ve met with John Piasecki, Frank’s son, with the great American Helicopter Museum, with key members of the American Helicopter Society, and plan to be in Fort Rucker in October. The Sikorsky Archives have been a big help. And everyone should see the fantastic displays at the incredible National Museum of the Marine Corps, where the director, good friend, Lin Ezell, has done a magnificent job.

There is another book that is just coming onto the front burner, but I cannot reveal anything about it for awhile. It will be something different than I’ve done in the past, a biography.

On a personal note, my wife Terri and I took a Caribbean cruise in the spring of 2008, followed by a trip to Budapest in August. My son Bill and grandson Walter Coleman accompanied us to Budapest. There on the first night, we had the annual Hungarian equivalent of a 4th of July celebration, followed the next day by the Red Bull air races. Terri’s many friends saw to it that we all saw a tremendous amount in a short time. In February, our friends, John and Joy Safer had us as house guests in their beautiful house in the Bahamas, and then in June we took a Mediterranean cruise, Barcelona to Venice, with two childhood friends of Terri’s from Oslo Norway.

In May I gave a talk to the Mid-Atlantic Pilots Association, a grand group of people and saw Jack and Esta-Ann Elliot there, along with Susan Loricchio and M imi Stuart, the talented artist. In July I was fortunate enough to be asked to give the Jalonik Memorial Lecture at the University of Texas at Dallas’ wonderful History of Aviation Collection. Their collection is wonderful, and they have made it easy to access. There I saw some old friends, including the great C.V. Glines, and made some new ones. Anyone who has a chance should visit the Collection, which is superb.

Well that should be more than enough about me for anyone; it certainly is for me. Hope that you enjoy the rest of the web-site and stay happy, life is short.

Happy Flying,

Walt

Copyright © 2008 Walter J. Boyne

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