I met Collin at Oshkosh. Most homebuilts had left the field by Saturday at the end of the Convention. I had just approached the new westerly airshow flight line imposed by the FAA or Thunderbirds as the Saturday airshow was ending. There was a little KR2 I had not seen before sitting out there by itself. I was anxious to go look it over as soon as the orange jackets on mopeds would allow it. Collin, unknown by me was standing by me also waiting to be allowed to approach his own airplane. When we were allowed to go past the line, this guy was walking towards the KR airplane as well. I thought that was interesting but this guy walked to the other side of the plane and lifted the canopy up. My first impression of this fellow when we were standing and waiting to pass the airshow line was that he wasn't an aircraft owner, so when he lifted the canopy it took me by surprise. My first reaction was, what does this guy think he is doing messing with someone else's airplane? As it turned out it was Collin so I started asking him lots of questions. He showed me his map and the world course he had laid out on it. He showed me all the places he had planned to go but did not go because locals where he did land advised him not to go to places he had planned but instead advised him to go to other places instead because of different reasons. It was a lot for me to attempt to absorb in the short time we had together plus he was speaking in that British lingo like the Beetles when they first arrived in America. I took photos of his map as he pointed and talked about the above. I took photos of his fiberglass auxiliary fuel tank sitting in his passenger seat, also of him and of his airplane. I'm not sure now but he had some engine related problem. I believe he told me his oil cooler had a hole in it and he would need a new one. I pointed out the Sonex Factory across the airfield suggesting he might get a new cooler or other VW help from them. We chatted a little while then he needed to go find out something from someone FAA maybe so we walked a ways together. I offered help of any kind he needed and I gave him my phone number so he could call me if needed. He then assured me that he was very self reliant and that I shouldn't be offended if he didn't call me. I didn't press him on the subject, but I thought, here I am with tons of tools that I always carry with me when I travel in case I need them plus I know the town of Oshkosh very well. I had my truck so I could have driven him to parts stores, Sonex, grocery store, post office to retrieve his bicycle (I think he told me it might have been shipped there) or wherever or whatever he needed. I believe I could have made his Oshkosh needs easier but he did assure me he is very self reliant which I have no doubt. We said our good byes and off he went., I don't think anyone from the EAA organization even knew he was there. They didn't that day for sure. I think he had arrived on the airfield just before the Saturday afternoon airshow. I will add some photos if I can.
Larry Howell > > is the more information re Colin hales? How did he get from Iceland to the > US? > > Bill Weir > _______________________________________________ >
