I'm outta here!

[thudpilot]

Sometimes one has to accept the fact that while living on this old mud-ball
there will be moments when for the sake of progress he needs to either go
with the flow or pull aside from the traffic rather than act as a speed-bump...
and for me this is one of those times.

Oh I'll still be around but only as a happy spectator looking on from the
cheering section rooting for the greatest team ever assembled at SOH
through the leadership of the finest coach I've ever known.
_ _ _ _ :jeep0a:

[Real Old Salt]

??? While you're off the road, grab a cup of coffee. Then get back on. Your help has been invaluable.

[Milton Shupe]

??? While you're off the road, grab a cup of coffee. Then get back on. Your help has been invaluable.

Agreed! Cliff, your help in research, data, and reference pictures have been tremendously helpful to me in particular. You should know the frustrations on the modelers when data, pictures, amd drawings are in very short supply and yet one is expected to deliver.

Heck, this project is just getting started and there will be many more shortcomings yet to slow the project without the super assistance of you and folks here that help pull it all together.

We have done almost 40 project model variations and I can talk about frustrations. In a 7-11 month project there are many, but you keep trudging forward and deliver a product that is worthwhile. The Howard 500 project was immensely frustrating to me, took 11 months, and I almost quit it several times. Ended up just setting it aside and came back to it 3-4 weeks later. That project was done without a single 3-view to help!

So, whatever your reasons, take a break, refresh, and revisit. Projects can't satisfy everyones requirements, even the modeler's, and will not be a perfect representation in the end. They are simply likenesses in a game of simulation.

We need people who care enough to get frustrated, but can overcome it. Thanks for all you have done. :ernae:

[Jesper]

?? Say What ?? Thudpilot, you are one of the fiery souls around this project! Here, there and everywhere. No speed-bump, as I see it. So . . . hang in here.

[Milton Shupe]

... snipped...We need people who care enough to get frustrated, but can overcome it. Thanks for all you have done. :ernae:

Since someone has PM'd me to say that they are ashamed of me for this statement above, I would like to clarify my meaning. Cliff and I have had many communications throughout this project and projects I have done over the years. We have nothing but respect for each other. Communications has always been courteous and respectful. He has been a tremendous help on this project. As I made the statement quoted above, I was referring to Cliff's tenacity to care enough to keep after an issue until it is resolved, or become frustrated if it was not... simply because he cares enough about doing things right. We need people who cares, like Cliff, to help us all push the limits and raise the standards.I apologize that anyone mis-read the intent of that statement. It was meant to compliment Cliff and his caring ways. If you have read enough of what I write here, you should understand that I care about all of you and respect you and would not treat you with insults publicly or privately. That is not me.

[fliger747]

Milton has always been and continues to be a perfect gentleman. His efforts, as well as those of Cliff in research are to be highly lauded.

Even in WWII there was a philosophy that sucess was obtained by stopping at the point of diminishing returns, that the perfect was the enemy of the good. A perfect plane that remains on the drawing board is of little use.

No sim plane is perfect, but my observation of this one is that it is shaping up to be a very superior project. As the major contributor, Milton certainly has a stake in excersizing his considerable judgment and experience in sorting out it's overall direction and feel.

His past achievements speak for a high degree of ability in making such judgments. My experience is that he is a good listener and does well bringing together a wide vareity of talents, many of which may have differing philosophies.

Cliff has been foremost in providing a wealth of essential data, which has been the foundation upon which the rest of us build our various parts. I hope he continues to use his knowledge to assist us in doing the best we can pratically accomplish here.

Regards: Tom....

[Willy]

The Invader Project is a team effort. The loss of any team member is keenly felt and especially when a major player like Thud leaves. Hopefully, he'll take a break and come back refreshed and ready to dig in again.

[MudMarine]

Unfortunately this seems to be a part of any project. I hope Thud comes back I hate to see the team broken up! S/F MudMarine

[Henry]

My view on this is we are all friends here
friends are like families some times having a different view,
without a different view we would be clones:isadizzy:
one thing about being a "mod" here is to be able to see all sides:isadizzy:
in that i try my best,
saying that, one can disagree with a friend maybe get frustrated
but always stay a friend:applause:
Cliff you are and always will be that:ernae:
you are and will always be part of this team
whether you like it or not:d
i for one appreciate everyone in this team
that includes everyone who has posted in this forum :applause:
so sit back and keep on being part of this family
Big Daddy
H:d

[Prowler1111]

Cliff's tenacity to care enough to keep after an issue until it is resolved, or become frustrated if it was not... simply because he cares enough about doing things right. We need people who cares, like Cliff, to help us all push the limits and raise the standards.
I´ve work with Cliff before, and i can say this is a true statement, Cliff´s devotion to a given project is beyond comprenhension to most of us.I was honored by his help and input in both skyraiders packages.

If you have read enough of what I write here, you should understand that I care about all of you and respect you and would not treat you with insults publicly or privately.

And is still beyond MY comprenhesion how somebody can think otherwise, Milton!

Best regards
Prowler

[ted9999]

I´ve work with Cliff before, and i can say this is a true statement, Cliff´s devotion to a given project is beyond comprenhension to most of us.I was honored by his help and input in both skyraiders packages.
Best regards
Prowler

I've met the man. We lived in the same state and about a year ago I called him on the telephone to introduce myself. Understandably with my SOH reputation as ted9999 :redf: he was quite uncertain of me at first but after only two brief telephone conversations he invited me to come down on a Saturday afternoon to have lunch at his home. Fortunately, we got along well.

Cliff is in his late 60's, and in one way or another as a pilot or hobbyist has been involved with aviation his whole life. He is a true ‘southern gentleman’ in every way – calm, polite, has a great sense of humor but does not swear (unlike yours truly!). He has a lovely wife, and I enjoyed meeting two of their children. He had been working on the Razbam Skyraider project at the time of my visit and from the extensive notes and records he showed me is clearly a perfectionist. He is also deeply interested in many other aspects and eras of history which was evident by a terrific library that, unfortunately, I had little time to peruse as long as I would have liked to. I'm sure anyone could profit from a few days of doing just that, but the 5 1/2 hours spent with Cliff were as pleasant and productive as could be hoped for. In short, He helped me in every way possible, and I learned a lot in the process.