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Vimy Sightings

Here are some comments entered by people who have seen the Vimy in flight or at an air show or other event.

Wayne Whitcomb from Renton, WA, USA, who visited on 6/13/2000 and learned about this site from A Search Engine, said:

I was very disapointed to learn that the Vimy would not be at the Museum of Flight in Seattle on Memorial Day as planned. I was very glad to see it a couple weeks later though. As I watched the plane taxi several hundred yards to the north in preparation for takeoff to the south, I heard several people in the Museum's control tower exhibit speculate that "they must need all that runway for takeoff". Imagine their surprise when the plane was airborne within a hundred feet or so!
Thanks for "showing off" this fantastic bit of history.

Terry Miller from Roseburg, Oregon, USA, who visited on 6/12/2000 and learned about this site from A Friend, said:

I could not believe what I saw when I went to the Roseburg airport (RBG) today. A bi-plane the likes of which I have never seen before. As it turned out, it was a 1919 Vickers Vimy. It was headed to California via Medford from somewhere up north of us when low clouds caused the pilots to turn around and land at Roseburg. They stayed here for a couple of hours and after refueling, took off for another try. Many people came by to look the craft over and talk to the pilots. The local news showed up and did some filming and interviewing. It will probably be on the local news tonight and in the papers tomorrow. It was a real thrill to get to see this aircraft up close. Thanks for the memories and the great pictures!!

Jim Baglien from Corvallis, OR, USA, who visited on 6/11/2000 and learned about this site from A Search Engine, said:

This afternoon we had the good fortune to observe, purely by chance, the Vimy flying under the rain clouds over our home. What a magnificent sight! My plane buff sons (and their dad) were nearly in hysterics as we guessed what this wonderful bird was. I hope an announced visit to a Willamette Valley airfield occurs in the not-too-distant future.

Pam Carter from Tukwila, WA, USA, who visited on 6/10/2000 and learned about this site from A Search Engine, said:

Today was my lucky day -- I took a ride in this wonderful plane! Words can't describe the thrill of slowly cruising past over the Seattle waterfront and past the graduation ceremonies at the University of Washington. It is an experience that I will always remember.

Kelley Anson from Seattle, WA , USA, who visited on 6/5/2000 and learned about this site from A Friend, said:

My dad, Eldon Bryant, knows David Holbrook through completion of architectural work to his home and guest home in Friday Harbor, WA. We were fortunate enough to not only see the Vimy, but also to fly in it. Suffice to say, it was a thrill of a lifetime. I plan on seeing it again later this week when it will be at Boeing field (Approximately 6/8/00 or 6/9/00). Thank you!!!

M Dash from Bay Area, CA, USA, who visited on 4/30/2000 and learned about this site from A Search Engine, said:

Today, I saw the Vimy fly out of Half Moon Bay after Dream Machines. It was one of the most awesome sights I've ever seen!
Thank you to the entire Vimy Project Staff!

mDash

Bud Gustin from Aguila, Az, USA, who visited on 4/1/2000 and learned about this site from A Vimy Project Volunteer, said:

Mark Rebholtz is a friend and neighbor here at Eagle Roost Airpark. My wife Betty and I visited Mark at Kemble Field in the UK last summer to see the VIMY first hand. What an Aircraft! Super website. Best of luck to Mark and the gang that have put so much time and effort into this project to make it rewarding to all.

Alfred (AL) Hodges from Oklahoma City, OK, USA, who visited on 3/28/2000 and learned about this site from An Article or Review, said:

Just read your history of the Vimy project and couldn't resist an opportunity to say HI to all of the "crew" that did such a fine job of design and construction. I was the Assistant Office Manager in the Oakland, CA. FAA office at the time of your certification project and visited your Sonoma "plant" many times. Del Ott was the airworthiness inspector assigned the project,BUT I feel a little bit connected as well.I still have a small photo at the Oakland airport the day of your radio work and highly TV filmed flight from OAK. What a sight , a VIMY NAVIGATING THE NIMITZ FREEWAY THRU DOWNTOWN OAKLAND. (NOT EXACTLY THE FLIGHT ROUTE FOR AN EXPERIMENTAL TO TRAVERSE. I also have copies of letters from the CAA authorizing the CAA G-EAOU (WITH THE FAA OKAY, HA!) and also a letter in response to the Australian CAA (Mr. David Punshon) about their concern that the FAA limitations did NOT state that you needed their permission to fly the NX 71MY in Australia. We assured them taht you did and sent acopy of the Experimental AiRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE. I trust you were authorized to fly in Australia. I wish you continued good flying.
- Al Hodges (Del has retired but I am still an ASI and instructing at our Academy in OKC)

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